Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Only 3 AS's , what now??

29 replies

Matteus21 · 13/08/2015 09:37

Mixed bag here. DD has 2 As, one C and has failed the 4th subject altogether. She needs AAB for Uni course she wants. One of the As is in her top subject that she wants to do at Uni, so that's good. But will that failed AS hold her back massively? That year spent studying the subject she's failed was a complete waste of time if she's nothing to show for it ????

OP posts:
FrancesOldhamKelseyRIP · 13/08/2015 09:40

How surprised is her teacher? Is it sufficiently unexpected to be worth a re-mark appeal?

FuzzyWizard · 13/08/2015 09:42

AAB sounds possible to me. Speak to some admissions tutors... If they really want the AS could she pick up a new subject this year?

SwedishEdith · 13/08/2015 09:59

Plenty fail a subject altogether at AS. I'm getting all the A2 results now and know of some getting into university having failed an AS and doing a completely new subject at A2 (AAA A2 results)

Original poster
Matteus21 · 13/08/2015 11:06

Thanks for replies.
Failed subject was dire, not a re-mark situation, sadly. Hadn't thought of her taking a new subject from scratch. , that sounds daunting, and would take her focus off her main subjects.. Replies seem to confirm my worries that she DOES need to get 4 AS's and 3 won't do. Confused Sad
Don't know how to talk to admissions tutors, who where how. ! DD won't see tutor at schools for another 3 weeks Confused Confused

OP posts:
chamerion · 13/08/2015 11:09

Can you email her tutor?

Capewrath · 13/08/2015 11:14

I'm not at all sure you are right. The aggregate UMS scores are important, but most if the admissions tutors I have heard recently have said clearly that they are interested in three good grades not four or indeed more, and a passion for the subject. Only four where eg they discount one, like maths and further maths counted together to be one.

catslife · 13/08/2015 11:44

I would request copies of her marked papers for the C grade subject as this will show up where she lost marks. You can apply for a re-mark later if there are any obvious marking errors.
Plenty of A level pupils retake at least one AS module in Y13 and this should be possible for just one subject and still obtain places at good unis. she should be able to continue onto A2 in the C grade subject.

Impostersyndrome · 13/08/2015 14:05

Hi Capewrath, where do you get the information that "... they discount one, like maths and further maths counted together to be one." That's not what we've been told.

DocHollywood · 13/08/2015 14:11

There's no reason she won't get AAB next year. Students generally drop one AS anyway. Do admissions look at AS grades or go mainly on the three predicted A2 grades?

DocHollywood · 13/08/2015 14:12

As long as the 'C' wasn't just a scrape of course!

Millymollymama · 13/08/2015 14:26

Some will expect 4 As and will have a look at GCSEs . Just do not apply to anywhere that says 4 AS levels. Do some homework now to see where might be suitable if your original choice says it wants 4. You can always go to open days to check the situation.

Emma321q · 13/08/2015 15:00

Could she do an extended project along side her three A2 subjects instead of taking on a new AS level?

Capewrath · 14/08/2015 16:53

Imposter,

Will depend on which course, where.

But have heard so from admissions tutors from Oxbridge, LSE, Imperial, and a few others.

As I say, depends on uni/college and faculty/ course. But to be aware.

Smirkingpicnicbasket · 14/08/2015 17:02

I got into Cardiff uni with only 3 A levels, I got an E in my chemistry AS level and just didn't declare it, admissions didn't even question it!

As long as she has the UMS points she needs from the 3 A levels it shouldn't be a problem! I wouldn't take up another subject as it will just mean a heavier workload for her, just concentrate on the other 3. The school would be best placed to advise on this!

Plus my DH got into his first choice uni without even getting the grades! Was 10 years ago now but they said his interview showed that he was ideal for a place!

ImperialBlether · 14/08/2015 17:04

Do any universities ask for four AS grades? I've only ever seen three full A levels (So AAB for example) or points asked for.

Smirkingpicnicbasket · 14/08/2015 17:06

Also to add; I had a major breakdown in my geography AS level (my favourite subject) and got an E grade too, my teacher would not let me re sit due to workload - I went on to get full marks in the coursework and As in the other modules and came out with an A at A2 geography!! I then went on to do a degree in Geology and am now a Geog teacher myself!! Smile can be done!!

FuzzyWizard · 14/08/2015 17:07

Some do. IIRC Warwick are a bit fussy about the fourth AS.

Capewrath · 15/08/2015 01:48

I think Warwick us one of those that counts further maths as just really maths. For some subjects.

MrsUltracrepidarian · 15/08/2015 07:38

Only come across one course that requires 4 A levels, and that was at Imperial College where they told is it was a specific reason - everywhere else only want 3.

ImperialBlether · 15/08/2015 10:39

Warwick had odd requirements for Maths but as far as I could see they didn't ask for more than 3 for any other subject.

FuzzyWizard · 15/08/2015 10:47

The one that leads up into the covered parade of shops

FuzzyWizard · 15/08/2015 10:48

Oops wrong thread

AnneOfSleeves · 15/08/2015 11:00

Dd bombed in her AS. BCDU, and scraped those by the skin of her teeth.
She dropped two subjects and decided to keep the subject she got B and D in. Persuaded the teachers to let her continue (all down to not working). Took on another a level as a new subject and did the two year course in one year. She's just come out with ABB - she worked her socks off.
So it can be done.

ImperialBlether · 15/08/2015 11:07

Did she get that D up to a B then, Anne? That's amazing!

cathcustard · 15/08/2015 11:29

DS2 got AACF in his AS last year.
I came on here for advice and was told he probably wouldn't make the grade.

He dropped the F subject & re sat the C & has just got AAB in A2s. Don't give up hope Op.

Swipe left for the next trending thread