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Original poster

Chemistry AS Level.....

15 replies

BaconAndAvocado · 27/02/2015 20:37

DS is in Year 12 and taking Chem, Physics, Maths and Economics. The last 3 are all going well but Chem he seems to find particularly difficult.

He wants to study Chemical Engineering at Uni so Chemistry A level is important!

He recently did an ISA and was v disappointed to get 10/15.

He achieved a C in his mock exam but wants to do much better for the University he has his heart set on.

He is a very hard worker but as it's completely Greek to me I can't help him. He has AS so gets very frustrated when things don't go his way Smile

We have Parents Evening in a couple of weeks but wondered if anyone could recommend ant books or online support?

Tia

OP posts:
Coconutty · 28/02/2015 10:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TalkinPeace · 28/02/2015 13:01

What feedback has he had from the teacher?
What is the nature of the block on learning?
Can he work with some A2 students at lunchtime to go through stuff?

catslife · 28/02/2015 15:41

The ISA is only a very small part of the total marks at AS and grade boundaries tend to be very close together so that isn't anything to get too worried about.
However his AS may be playing a part with his difficulties with Chemistry as past routines will be important to him and he may be finding it hard to let these go. For AS Chemistry some of the topics look very similar to GCSE, but he needs to "unlearn" some of the old GCSE stuff and replace it with the new more advanced stuff iyswim. Once he adds this new material the marks should go up.
I would try an on-line tutor via skype as I suspect it will need some expert input to enable him to do this.

Shazy123 · 01/03/2015 00:14

My son had terrible grades at both As Chemistry and A level. He even had a tutor and still did badly. What's really odd about my son is that his teacher always told me in parents evening that you couldn't get any better than him in the classroom as he obviously knew his work, but found it difficult when it came to exams. He ended up with a 'D' grade at A level. I do think it's a very difficult A level. Good luck to your DS.

honeysucklejasmine · 01/03/2015 00:22

I find Philip Allan revision guides pretty good. A lot of it is just having to learn by rote, even if he doesn't understand. We're very precise about language in chemistry so if he doesn't use the exact phrase he won't get the marks.

What exam board is he doing?

MagratGarlik · 01/03/2015 08:36

I'm sorry, but I would disagree with the comment that a student who is good at chemistry ends up with a D, simply because of the difficulty of the A'level. It does sound in that case, like an issue with the teacher's assessment of what is required to reach the higher grades.

Unfortunately, chemistry GCSE does not set students up well for a'level because it does not cover enough fundamental concepts which are important to have in place at A'level.

It sounds like he probably could need some additional support and will he get a chance to resit his ISA to improve his grade too?

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 01/03/2015 16:09

Thanks all Thanks

Some of,your question I can't ask as DS has warned me not to disturb him whilst he's working in his room today!

Yes he can do 2 more ISAs.

We're seeing the teachers in 2 weeks so,will find out more.

I honestly don't know what the block is! Will try and grill him again later.

OP posts:
Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 01/03/2015 17:45

Yes, we would definitely consider getting a tutor.

He attends after school catch up sessions, not sure of the A2 students are part of that?

I guess it's reassuring, in a way, to know that Chemistry is one of the hardest A levels. and Maths, as he's getting regular As in tests and his Mock exam.

OP posts:
Mindgone · 01/03/2015 19:17

Get him to get the course specifications from the internet, and study them, also exam questions and the mark scheme. It's definitely doable to bring it round from here. A tutor would help, if possible. DS got a C in chemistry at this stage too, and then went on to get the top mark in his year, and the chemistry prize at the end of Y13! He is now studying chemical engineering at uni. Best of luck to your DS.

Needmoresleep · 01/03/2015 20:03

Think also about Easter revision courses. Even if he has been taught well, three days of something like Justin Craig ought to pummel exam technique into him.

That said if he is not understanding, a tutor might be better. Way back when, when I was at school I found chemistry very logical but some of the brightest girls in the year struggled. DD has found similar. This is the subject she gets, when girls who are good at everything else, and who can cope with maths and physics, don't.

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 01/03/2015 21:57

That's brilliant mindgone Well done to your DS.

Ah needmore you may have the nail in the head as Maths and Physics are definitely DS's forte.

What is Justin Craig?

OP posts:
HereIAm20 · 02/03/2015 16:39

Stepson only did double science rather than triple and has found that in his chemistry AS not only has he had to cope with the step up but also the catch up element of not having done triple science. We too have (now) been told that chemistry is the hardest AS/A2 (along with Maths).

HereIAm20 · 02/03/2015 16:40

meant to say double rather than triple at GCSE and got AA but still catch up/step up difficult. (C in mocks)

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 02/03/2015 18:43

hereI that's a big difference between Mocks and the real thing!

OP posts:
Leeds2 · 02/03/2015 19:01

Justin Craig is a tutorial college. DC go to study a particular subject with a number of other students at whatever level (e.g. GCSE, A) for a number of days. A friend's DC went to study Chemistry and Spanish at a location on Harley Street. I presume they offer locations out of London. My friend rated the Spanish GCSE course, but thought her DC could've used the time spent on Chemistry A better by himself.

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