Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

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

Wobble about doing A level Maths - but wants to do Physics.

27 replies

NotAgainYoda · 24/08/2017 17:05

Any advice?

He was planning to do Maths, Physics and Chemistry but got level 6 (not that unexpectedly) in Maths GCSE (A's in Triple science)

Doesn't love Maths. Feels he's missing some of the fundamentals and did not like his teacher. Wobbly before but a level 7 might have reassured him

BUT has got the impression that you must do Maths with Physics

OP posts:
Original poster
NotAgainYoda · 24/08/2017 17:06

... Doesn't know what he wants to do after this but is sciency. Favourite subject Chemistry

OP posts:
NewbiedontknowwhatIamdoing · 24/08/2017 17:38

Probably the obvious suggestion: how does he feel about biology? given he got an A . Or computer Science? which seems to be very 'integrated' with sciences now.

I would also worry about Maths A-level if he only got a 6.

RamsayBoltonsConscience · 24/08/2017 17:42

Can only tell you my ds experience. Got an A at maths at GCSE but found the jump to AS very difficult and got an E. Got a C in physics but had to take maths as well so he changed courses. They need the maths to go with physics so would have a hard think about it - could you afford a maths tutor? I wish I'd done that.

Original poster
NotAgainYoda · 24/08/2017 17:48

Thanks both

I think the best combination would be Physics, Chemistry Biology but the question is whether it's too difficult to do Physics if you don't also do Maths

That's what he seems to have been told

Ramsay I also wish I'd got him a tutor at GCSE. I'd consider it at A level

OP posts:
eyebrowsonfleek · 24/08/2017 17:50

Sounds similar to my son.
He's going to do maths because we think it might limit his degree choices if he doesn't include it.

Copperbeech33 · 24/08/2017 17:53

you normally can't do physics without maths, and you normally can't do maths without an A or high B, so it might not be his decision anyway.

There is a lot of maths in both chemistry and physics.

Possibly look at BTEC applied science? Maths is actively taught, so can still learn physics, and maths alongside, but the maths starts at lower level

Look carefully at future university choices though, not all accept BTEC, although many do.

Or possibly, retake maths in the first year of 6th form, then take AS in the second year?

Copperbeech33 · 24/08/2017 17:53

obviously, I know there is no A or B now, but what ever the school is accepting as equivalent.

SuzukiLi · 24/08/2017 17:57

Definitely need to have maths to do physics.

catslife · 24/08/2017 17:58

but the question is whether it's too difficult to do Physics if you don't also do Maths.....That's what he seems to have been told

I think that was true for the old A*-C GCSE Maths, the new 9-1 GCSE is supposed to be a better preparation for the A level Sciences as it contains more of the content needed.
There is approx 20% of the marks for Physics (and Chemistry) that is maths skills but the Maths needed isn't really a level standard. some sixth forms do maths skills type classes for pupils taking A level sciences without Maths.
But the issue isn't really A level itself, it's that not taking Maths A level could limit options at degree level.

catslife · 24/08/2017 17:59

A grade 6 is a high B BTW.

Original poster
NotAgainYoda · 24/08/2017 18:04

catslife

Yes. that's how DH is coming at it. You are blocking a pathway to Physics/ Engineering and probably other things by not taking Maths

I just want him to choose fairly sensible things that he'll enjoy and be successful at.

DS is just not in the frame of mind to think about this stuff deeply at the moment

OP posts:
Original poster
NotAgainYoda · 24/08/2017 18:07

.. I will ask school about the maths skills thing

OP posts:
TeenTimesTwo · 24/08/2017 18:37

There is also a Use of Maths A level, but I don't know whether that is more aimed at Geographers and Biologists iyswim?

Laniakea · 24/08/2017 18:44

my dd is doing physics (& chemistry & biology) A levels. No maths :)

She got an 8 at GCSE but school (a very good one if that matters) would've been happy for her to do it with a 7 & okay with a 6. The main advantage of doing maths is that there is overlap so that you're covering that material twice. It's not essential* to do maths with physics.

(*I've looked in detail at the school's results, they have had excellent results from the kids who've done physics without maths ... admittedly far more do it with maths than without.)

Laniakea · 24/08/2017 18:45

sent too soon.

They did offer maths AS as a stand alone - but dd wanted to do an EPQ & is also doing a 4th A level in a creative subject she wasn't keen to bump either of those for maths.

Original poster
NotAgainYoda · 24/08/2017 18:49

Thanks all I will continue to relay this to him Smile

OP posts:
Broken11Girl · 24/08/2017 18:59

I was persuaded as a teen that you have to do maths if you're going to do physics, everyone says it - I wish I hadn't, and don't think it's true. The maths needed is GCSE level.

Spam88 · 24/08/2017 19:15

I think he'd be ok for A Level without maths, but he wouldn't be able to go any further.

LoniceraJaponica · 25/08/2017 21:27

At DD's school you have to do maths if you are taking physics at A level.

noblegiraffe · 25/08/2017 22:54

I don't know enough about physics A-level to know if you have to do maths, but I think they've upped the maths content so it would be advisable. At my school if you want to do a science A-level, you have to take Core maths as a 4th. You're right that going on to a sciencey degree would be better if he had A-level maths in his offer.

Taking maths A-level on a 6 and being wobbly about it would probably not end well. Now they are taking three subjects only, it's hard to plump for one you're not sure about.
I'd talk to the physics department and see what they advise.

BackforGood · 25/08/2017 22:59

Some schools let you take physics without maths (3 science is quite a 'normal' combination) but it doesn't make life any easier.

Re the 'not being able to go further' without maths A-level. I have a friend who teaches maths at our University for (I think it is 6 weeks) in the Autumn Term, (she's retired, but just does these six weeks of a few hours a week) for those doing some sciences and engineering type courses, who need to polish up their maths. I don't think the door need always be fully closed.

Witchend · 26/08/2017 00:04

I was persuaded as a teen that you have to do maths if you're going to do physics, everyone says it - I wish I hadn't, and don't think it's true. The maths needed is GCSE level.

That certainly wasn't true when I did A-levels. I remember using integration for a couple of proofs-I had to explain in some detail to one of the people in the form who hadn't taken maths. One of them got it, the other one I ended up just writing the proof down in detail and telling them they had to remember and be able to regurgitate it.

Original poster
NotAgainYoda · 04/09/2017 18:54

Hi eveyone, sorry buggered off on holiday

Physics department says he must do Maths. Maths teacher says he's good enough to do Maths, but with weekly extra lessons for at least the first half term, along with others who got 6s. He's decided to do 3 Sciences plus Maths - they have to do 4 but can drop one after a year.

But doesn't love Maths. Is groaning about the Summer Assignment he's been given. This makes me wonder whether Physics is even a good idea. On a personal note, I can't help him - Physics and Maths are not my strong suit, and I fear he's not motivated enough to get through it.

The upshot is he's going to 'see how it goes' in the first week or so then possibly change.

OP posts:
Original poster
NotAgainYoda · 04/09/2017 18:55

.... by "help" I mean I don't even know what the issues are

OP posts:
Dunlurking · 04/09/2017 20:04

NotAgain are you sure the summer assignment isn't deliberately hard just to get them thinking again? Don't panic yet.

My dd moaned about her summer assignments in Chemistry and Maths and turned up to class today to be told she wasn't supposed to be able to do them - the next few weeks are all about learning those topics and they would be shown how to do the questions. Not sure that's a very good strategy as dd was all for giving up Chemistry before she had even attended one class but luckily she enjoyed it and has her old Chemistry teacher again as a bonus.

Swipe left for the next trending thread