A-level choices to keep options open

[stubiff]

My DS (literally) has no idea want he’d like to do for A-levels or beyond. Only given is not English Language.
He doesn’t really have a favourite subject(s) or passion.
He is probably around the GCSE 7 (poss some 8’s) mark, ability-wise, fairly consistent across the subjects.

So, he’ll probably be looking at choices to keep his future options as open as possible.

Please could you recommend some combos using the following groups:

1. Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Psychology, Computer Science
2. Business Studies, Economics, English Lit, History, Politics, Religious Studies, Spanish, Classics
3. Drama, Design & Technology, Physical Education

Some rules:
Please could you provide some rationale for the combo(s), especially if you break the rules (which I’m sure some will!).
Min 1, max 2 from group 1.
Min 1, max 2 from group 2.
Min 0, max 1 from group 3.
If you suggest a Maths combo, please could you also suggest a non-Maths one.
English Lang will not be chosen.
Biology, Geography and any subject not mentioned will not be chosen, either because it is not available or wasn’t chosen at GCSE.

Appreciate it is a wide/varied ask, but thank you very much, in anticipation.

Sorry, should have been explicit - it's 4/12, so some of the other ones he's ok with.
Yes, for the research we talked about something on Messi or the Argentina football team. Also an option to overlap something (not football!) with the History coursework.

Re the Speaking, and theme part -

• Discussion of a sub-theme with the discussion based on a stimulus card (5–6 minutes). The student studies the card for 5 minutes at the start of the test (25 marks).

Is there any choice (at the time or before) or is it chosen by the board (so same for all students)?

Think I've found it.
"In Part one (of the Speaking), the teacher-examiner gives the student two cards, following the sequencing table provided as part of the assessment material and avoiding the topic of the student’s individual research project. Each card is based on a sub-theme and the two cards are drawn from different themes. The student chooses one of the two cards."

So, as 3 of the sub-themes (of less interest) are in the same theme, then the other card must be a different theme, so slim chance that both cards contain one of the 4.

Each student is given two cards yes, one from the AS topics and one from the A2 ones. Sounds as if all his disliked ones are in A2 so he could focus fully on the AS ones for speaking prep.

But the 12 topics form the bulk of the work for two years, it's not just the speaking.

Meant to add that there is no real rhyme or reason to the order, which is set externally - candidate one could be given card A and card J and then candidate 2 could get card A and card H. And if an IRP is related to either card the candidate should get according to the list, that line is skipped.

I have conducted a set of half a dozen exams where four of the candidates have been able to choose the same card.

Sorry! equal rights is under the AS spec so he could be given a card for immigration (say) and one for equal rights in the speaking exam. Only a 1 in 6 chance of the equal rights card tho.

Maths, History, Spanish, Drama.
The 3 traditional harder subject in there are maths, history and Spanish. Only do maths if he is very good at it in my view.
What about economics? Quite a few of my children liked that.

One of my twins did geography, history and economics (and music to AS level) and is now a lawyer. Although economics is not a traditional subject it is well regarded by universities and employers.

And it's only 1/12 that you'd get ER AND one from the Multiculturalism theme (the other 3 in question), and have to choose one of them! I'd take 1/12 odds.

@Xenia He's of the opinion that Econ, Bus and CS, for example, can be done later if he gains interest. Business was ruled out at number 6, Chem at number 5.
He's good at Maths (aiming for an 8, poss a 9).

hahaha yes good maths!

A-level choices are in - Maths, History and Spanish.
Have also emailed school to ask if they could accommodate Maths, History and Drama in the timetabling/blocks, so a final decision/change could be made after GCSE results.

Thanks for everybody's help.

Good luck to him with the A levels whether he moves from Spanish to Drama or not.

Essay subject don't really open any doors.You can do nearly all non-stem subjects without Alevels in them.The converse cannot be said

I would do maths physics and chemistry

keep maths!!