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Original poster

AS levels: what are they worth?

8 replies

SupportManager · 05/02/2015 21:20

please can someone explain to me in idiot's layman's terms what AS levels are for? You start out doing 4 subjects to AS level, then drop one, and continue the other 3 to A level. It's your A levels that count for University entry. So what's the point of doing that 4th subject to AS level? Confused
Please don't lambast me, I just don't get it Blush

OP posts:
fuckweasel · 05/02/2015 21:27

AS levels are worth UCAS points when applying to university.

titchy · 06/02/2015 00:14

If you're not ready to select three subjects in year 11 you have an extra one to select and try out - perhaps a subject you haven't done before. You can do 4 subjects to AS then decide which one to drop once you've got your result. Not for much longer though.....

circular · 06/02/2015 06:24

Currently they are half the A level, and also a qualification in their own right that carry UCAS points.
Changes being phased in for courses starting in 2015 mean they will just be a stand alone qualification. So even if AS papers sat at end of yr12, the whole A kevel will still need to be taken at end of yr13 . Not all subjects switching over to the new system at the say time.

Mostlyjustaluker · 06/02/2015 06:37

Just to add universities like them and do not want them to be dropped. Cambridge uni wrote to all colleges and sixth forms asking them to use AS levels along side the new A levels. I like an exam result to help them decide who to make offers to.

ProbablyMe · 06/02/2015 07:27

I have to admit I don't quite see the point myself. My DS has various offers from universities, three of those offers will only allow 40 points from AS levels which his grades easily exceed and another offer will only accept points from AS levels in subjects other than those he has taken A levels in which seems unhelpful as he and pretty much the rest of his sixth form have taken the same subjects at AS and A level.

doIneedalawyer · 06/02/2015 07:42

my DD did very well at AS and now has unconditional offers on the table. Lots of Unis use them to select the people they definitely want on their programme.

OldBeanbagz · 06/02/2015 09:04

As i understand it AS levels are also useful for those who've taken a GCSE at the end of Y10 but won't be going on to study the subject at A Level. It's something for them to work towards in Y11.

At least that's what DD's maths teacher told me...

Caronaim · 06/02/2015 20:40

They are a one year qualification worth half an A level. Most universities expect to see 4 AS levels on a n application. They give students the opportunity to learn more about another subject, alongside their three main ones, and in fact give them the chance to change their mind about which 3 a levels they want to complete. They are also qualifications in their own right.

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