A Levels v GCSEs....

[BaconAndAvocado]

DS1 currently in Year 11 with a view to study 4 A levels next year.

There seems to be lots of talk about how much harder they are than GCSEs and I wanted to know...in what way?

DS1 is doing very well, works hard and is motivated.....has he got lots to worry about?

Tia

[BaconAndAvocado]

yourlittle at the moment DS certainly works over and above, let's hope it continues!

I like the wall planner idea.

[LeBearPolar]

TeenandTween - a B at GCSE will make A Level English Lit a challenge unless your DC loves reading and is very very motivated by the course.

Someone who has had to work hard to get a grade B at GCSE is normally looking at a D at A Level, a C if they really work their socks off.

[ErrolTheDragon]

Of course they're harder - the A stands for 'advanced' as compared to O for 'ordinary'. They were never designed to be something everyone could do. (Back in the day only the top 25% did O levels, then quite a lot of those left school at 16 - I'm sure far more kids do A level courses than they used to but A-levels aren't supposed to have got easier...)

In the sciences and maths, apart from more independent working there are more conceptual challenges - if you aren't clever enough hard work won't get you there.

[BaconAndAvocado]

I know what you mean about the "conceptual" challenges errol

I was discussing DS's progress in Physics recently with his teacher who said " he really has nothing to worry about as he just gets it "

I'm so glad he does, as when he shows me what he's learning about I really don't get it

[WorrySighWorrySigh]

DD is in year 13 studying Biology, Chemistry, Maths.

DD went into year 12 with all A*/As at GCSE. Her predicted A level grades are A, B, C

The problem with some sciences is that to an extent you have to forget what you learnt at GCSE. You have to understand the subjects. There are intellectual leaps, the subjects become much more theoretical.

[circular]

DD1 in yr12, studying 4AS, non-essay. Had A*/A in all 4 at GCSE, B's in Eng and Geog, A's in everything else.

New school, settled in well but got off to a shaky start academically. Not taking well to the independent learning, and looking at getting Cs and Ds at AS if she doesn't get a grip.

Her best subject at GCSE (Physics) has become her weakest at AS. Finding she understands everything then doesn't know how to answer the questions. On a more positive note, Maths has been going better than expected. But everyone warned her about maths, so maybe just less of a shock.

[TheOriginalSteamingNit]

My y12 dd has always been a fairly hard worker, but she's working much more this year than she had to before.

The differences I can see with the subjects she's doing to AS are -

French: more tenses and grammar matters more, but also the nature of what they're doing is different. They'll be reading a set text shortly, though don't know what it will be yet, but instead of writing little passages about Le Sante or whatever, she's writing essays and has found that the biggest difference is that she has to argue in French as she would in English or History. So she's getting marked on how well she presents the case, is needing to say things in French which connect, develop or advance her argument - and that seems to matter as much as knowing the vocab. French is probably the subject that's caused her the most angst so far.

Maths: she has found this, I think, the easiest transition in some ways, partly perhaps because they did the Further Maths GCSE last year. However she's been doing Mechanics for the last several weeks, and doesn't like that so much. Style of learning and delivery and content seems least changed.

English - from doing both Eng Lit and Lang, it's been very different doing only Lit (which is what she chose). Whilst I wouldn't say it's like university work, there's clearly an attempt to make it so, with examination of selected critical passages on the texts they're reading (which they've had to do much more in their own time, which also adds to the work load). Quality of the writing matters more, it seems - she was perplexed recently to lose marks for writing although her argument was ok, because she kept saying 'this' without saying what 'this' was, for example.

History - as far as I can see, same sort of approach but longer pieces of writing and lots of timed essays. DD likes timed essays, but many do not.

[zombiesheep]

As someone at uni having recently done A levels (I am 19) I will say that yes, A levels are harder.

He will have to analyse, interpret and explain his answers. The questions will be longer, and there will be much much more to learn. Most start with 5 subjects on their first year but then drop down to 4/3 (I dropped to 4) in their second year because the work load is just too much. It is a lot of hard work but it is definitely doable so don't put the fear of god into him, I'm sure he will be fine :) especially as he is so focused I wasn't

Wait till he gets to university! :o

[zombiesheep]

Also as circular said, the learning will also be much more independent and you're not so cotton-wooled by the teachers. Plus, timetable wise he will have a fair few free periods which is something to get used to and then eventually waste sitting in cafés eating stead of doing work

[muffinmonster]

My DD is going through the same thing - 7 x A, 1 x B and 1 x C at GCSE. Changed school and is getting mainly Ds in Year 12. In one way it's heartening to hear that so many others are in the same boat, but what happens to them? Do a large proportion of Y12 students just fall by the wayside, or struggle on through Y13 and get Ds and Es? Any inspiring stories from Mumsnetters whose DCs managed to pull As and Bs out of the bag at the last minute? What if you work really hard but you never do just 'get it'?

[BaconAndAvocado]

Thanks for vote of confidence zombie

DS is generally not a worrier and is extremely driven about getting to Uni so I'm hoping all will be good

During his induction week they will be discussing study skills, amongst other stuff including driving instruction!

[mindgone]

Muffinmonster, I have previously put this on another thread, but seeing as you're looking for inspiration, I'll put it here too. My DS was in Y13 last year, finished now and on a gap year. In Y12 he struggled, getting CCDE in AS mocks. We got him some tutors over the Easter holidays and he worked really hard, and then got BCCC in AS in the summer. He was gutted, was expecting As and Bs. We got regular tutors for him for all 3subjects, not every week though. He worked his socks off, and managed to get his teachers to predict him AAB so he could apply to the best unis. He had to work on them though! He got the exam specifications from the internet, and did loads of past papers. He did some resits in January and some in the summer, and ended up with AAA at A2! We were gob smacked and in a state of shock! He then changed his mind about the course he wanted to do, because other doors were now open! He now has unconditional offers from great unis, just needs to decide on one.
I will say though that it's not been the easiest year, he has a job, but gets fed up and lonely with most of his friends gone to uni and having a great time, especially because he worked so hard for it! I am sure though that the gap year will prove to be one of his best decisions.
They need to put in really serious study, and plague (if necessary) the teachers for help, guidance, and the marking of past papers if needed. In Y13 my DS went to some Y12 lessons in his free periods to help him to revise topics he needed help with too. Best of luck, it's do able, but hard work!

[circular]

Mindgone That does sound really encouraging. Must have taken some convincing to get the school to predict more than a grade up from the AS grades in each subject.
Glad to hear your DS did so well in the end, and best of luck to him when he starts Uni this year.

[mindgone]

Circular, thanks so much. Yes, he really had to beg his teachers, and I think at least one wasn't convinced at all, but we all know the power of pesterpower!

[mindgone]

Circular, I've just noticed that your DD is doing non essay subjects too. DS did biology, chemistry, maths and economics, then dropped economics. I think one of the key things for him was getting the exam specifications, and learning how to answer the questions in EXACTLY the right way, using exactly the right words. Knowing and understanding aren't enough, it's the way they put it.

[circular]

Mindgone Agree, so much is about what the examiners are expecting, rather than just knowing the course content. With DD, it will be a matter if she 'clicks' soon enough as only 10 weeks till first AS exam.

Mainly revision now, as all course syllabus covered except Music.

TheOriginakSteamimgNit Intreresting what you say about French. Been giving DD the most trouble too, especially the grammar, as they covered so little in GCSE and her English grammar not great. Already Insists she is dropping it after AS, even though on paper is doing better than physics. But her theory is that French will be so much harder next year, Physics will just be different topics.

[HmmAnOxfordComma]

Language A levels were always a huge jump up from GCSE and I rather think they are even more so now that (imo - and that of several Lang teaching friends) they are one of the subjects that are without question easier at GCSE than previously.

I recommend subscriptions to something called the Philip Allen Review guides for individual subjects. Cost about 20 for two years per subject. Brilliant with help on content and even more so on exam technique and question answering. Sciences at A level require good English ability to answer the long questions, which is something not everyone is aware of, either.

[muffinmonster]

Mindgone, than for taking the time to post your story again. I guess the moral is that you can significantly improve your grades, but only with a massive amount of effort. I really can't imagine my DD pestering her teachers for help (though they are pestering her to ask for help!), or browbeating them into improving her predicted grades. But I live in hope...

Well done to your DS - hope he really enjoys his university course.

[scarlettsmummy2]

Bright and lazy can pass a levels- provided it is something they really enjoy and find interesting- combined with a good teacher. I got AAB- English, History and Geography, with lots of very last minute revision, in the days before modular exams, however I really engaged well in class so did take a lot in as we went along. Picking the right subjects is essential. My infinitely cleverer than me did politics and got a C as she hated it from day one.

[Fattyfattyyumyum]

Bright & lazy can probably do fine. Of course A Levels are harder than GCSEs, they're the next step along the academic pathway deigned for older students who've already done their GCSEs!

IME, getting hold of past exam papers is key. You need to know what the style of questions is and how to answer them to get maximum marks. Teachers can provide them along with mark schemes.

[mindgone]

Muffinmonster, you're very welcome! I was on here looking for hope two years ago after his AS mocks, so am glad to be able to share. Thanks for your good wishes too, I certainly hope he does enjoy his course!

[cory]

A-levels are harder, but they are also more interesting, more challenging, in many ways more inspiring. Also, some children do a lot of growing up in those years.

My dh did rather badly at O-levels, because he was immature and lazy, but did well at university, because he had grown up.

So I think it perfectly plausible that certain students could do relatively badly at GCSE's and then go on to do better at A-levels. You'd have to do a lot of catching up. But then dd is doing a lot of catching up due to illness and having had a reduced workload at GCSE level. It can be done.

[BirdintheWings]

DS is dong Maths (a battle), Physics (easy) and oh dear god, Product Design...

Regurgitating a textbook has had no part so far in the year-long endeavour to research, design, customer-survey and recreate an original product in cardboard, fusewire and glue.