Dropping a higher

[FREEM]

my son is suddenly in a panic about one of his highers.
He's doing 5 and wants to drop biology leaving english maths history and geography to study english literature..
It seems the entry requirements are 4 highers anyway.
Does anyone know if this affects anything?

My Ds did this and as he was redoing his Nat5 maths, it meant he was only doing 3 highers. He still applied to Uni in the knowledge that he was relying on his 6th year results and he is now studying at Aberdeen.

I guess it depends on how competitive a course he is applying for as to whether it will make any difference. I'm sure someone else will come along with greater knowledge than me, but my mind says that better to get 4 decent results in the bag than risk the 5th subject dragging the rest down. It's not like a science is needed (or relevant) for for he wants to do.

DS had to discuss with the school and get their agreement for him to drop so might be worth your DS speaking to his support teacher or year head.

If he's not going to need it then dropping it is probably for the best. Are his prelims coming up? He might need to sit the prelim but if he does badly that might give you the bargaining chip he needs. My DD3 sat and passed 5 but 2 were Cs - she'd have been better off doing 4 she might have had more AB passes. What does he want to do in S6? If Biology is something he might pick back up then is asking to be presented next year an option? Schools are not generally very keen for S5 pupils not to have full timetables.

thank you.
yes that was pur thoughts too about having one less would make it easier for rest.
So tricky.

Check university entry requirements for the courses he wants to apply for - some require 5 Highers in the same sitting. You can email to check with individual university departments if not clear from the online information.

As others have said I think 4 good highers is better than 5 mediocre highers. Medicine etc you normally need 5 highers in one sitting but for english lit you should be ok. The University website should tell you.

My son did 4 Highers from the off as he knew he'd waste his time in a 5th Higher that he had no interest in. He stormed them and got 4 unconditionals for Politics - so I'd heartily recommend this route if your DS' course requirements are 4 H in one sitting

Is he in a pre prelim panic?

I would advise not doing anything hasty. Do the prelim, it might not be as bad as he thinks. If it is that he is struggling hugely with the Biology and doesn't want to do it any more, then have an honest conversation with school. They might have another perspective on it and might be able to suggest something like not doing the exam thins year, and doing it in S6 instead (so the Higher over 2 years).

It really depends how he's performing in the others - if he's predicted AAAA in the others and C in Biology then it would seem logical and worth the "risk". But if it's not as clear cut, get lots of opinions from school before you rush into anything.

Stressful times, Higher prelims! Ours start next week.

Another thought if your DS's school is one which places importance on league tables they might be reluctant as one of the key statistics is 5 at level 6 (Higher) but they should be placing your DS his success and wellbeing at the centre of decisions.

Agree lidl but isn't one of the controversial things about the stats about the higher levels being measured over S5 and 6? Could have that completely wrong though :)

thanks everyone.
in service days here . husband phone school and head of year phoning back Wednesday or before .
he is prelim panicking... start next week.
Will see what they say but thank you for fantastic help
and reassuring me!

Sat through enough HT PowerPoints on 5 at level 6 in S5 to think it's important to some (thankfully not all) leadership teams. My DDs' school have a really wide ranging senior phase with really valuable college links but it is impacting on their 5 at level 6 figures so they hung on to those who were attempting 5. If she'd dropped one I'm fairly sure she have another B and unconditionals but I suppose she got breadth.

Asked DD who is applying for another subject this year but she considered english literature (went to the subject talks). She says 4 highers in S5 would be fine for everywhere except StA and Edinburgh unless you have contextuals. Plus for Glasgow (and Strathclyde although she's less sure about this) you would need to be close to the 4As.

As Lidl says, unfortunately many schools are obsessed by their 5 at 6 data. Stupidly they would rather have 5 C grade passes than 4 A grades My school would be reluctant to allow someone to drop a Higher.