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Secondary education

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Original poster

Physics A level...

69 replies

Scabbersley · 28/01/2018 20:21

Dd is doing combined science for GCSE (so not triple) but loves physics and wants to take it at A level.

I know that A level sciences are a massive jump. She's predicted a 7s in science and maths.

Is physics a silly idea? Her other choices are English literature and textiles Confused

OP posts:
greathat · 28/01/2018 20:24

Only do it if shes also doing maths

SweepTheHalls · 28/01/2018 20:25

Should be fine if she's predicted a 7, as long as maths is strong.

Vivalebeaver · 28/01/2018 20:25

What’s she wanting to do after a levels?

PurpleDaisies · 28/01/2018 20:26

It’s a bad idea to do a level physics without maths. There’s a new syllabus and it’s got a LOT harder.

It’s fine to do it without having done triple science though. Has she talked to her teacher at school?

Original poster
Scabbersley · 28/01/2018 20:27

OK she doesn't particularly want to do maths although she really enjoys it at gcse level.

OP posts:
RoadrunnerMeepMeep · 28/01/2018 20:29

Have to have maths with physics or else it’s worthless. According to my dsd who is wanting to study physics at uni but not that into maths. She has taken maths, physics and combined science at a level (though science is a btec) she has found the physics on but the maths has been a challenge but she is soldiering on through. But it depends what your dd wants to do at uni, if she wants to do English degree for example, physicis will be of no relevance will just add ucas points.

RoadrunnerMeepMeep · 28/01/2018 20:30

Has found physics ok I meant to say.

PurpleDaisies · 28/01/2018 20:30

Have to have maths with physics or else it’s worthless.

That’s not true. Where have you got that idea from? Confused

PurpleDaisies · 28/01/2018 20:31

If you want to study physics at uni you need maths but for other science degrees such as chemistry, it’s helpful and as a subject in it’s own right it’s a good one to have.

blaaake · 28/01/2018 20:32

You can't do physics without at least AS maths. At ds1's college students who failed their early maths mocks had to drop down to statistics, and they now have to do extra maths work at lunchtimes. So unless she's willing to choose maths, it wouldn't be a good idea. I don't think she'd actually be allowed to choose physics without maths, anyway.

SuperBeagle · 28/01/2018 20:35

I would also say that doing Physics without Maths would be unwise.

Original poster
Scabbersley · 28/01/2018 20:37

OK thanks. She really loves physics, maths and coding but loves books nd reading just as much!

OP posts:
traviata · 28/01/2018 20:38

Confused most 6th forms don't offer AS levels any more, so you can't do 'at least' AS maths.

Original poster
Scabbersley · 28/01/2018 20:38

No, no AS maths. I've never heard of anyone taking physics and English lit! So probably a no then

OP posts:
blaaake · 28/01/2018 20:41

Er, that was what the 'at least' was for, traviata, I assumed people would have the capacity to figure out that if their college didn't offer AS levels then they'd have to take the full A level. So stick your Confused face up your arse Hmm

Original poster
Scabbersley · 28/01/2018 20:42

Noone offers AS levels do they? Dds school doesn't.

OP posts:
blaaake · 28/01/2018 20:44

2 of the 4 colleges within 5 miles of me still offer them, OP. And the prestigious universities generally prefer candidates that have them

LoniceraJaponica · 28/01/2018 20:47

I think AS levels are finished now. DD's school did them last year, but aren't doing them this year. Last year maths and Government and Politics AS level were compulsory, but not any more.

Your DD would struggle with physics without maths.

Original poster
Scabbersley · 28/01/2018 20:54

And the prestigious universities generally prefer candidates that have them

Sorry I think you might be wrong there.

OP posts:
Original poster
Scabbersley · 28/01/2018 20:54

I hate the way they have to specialise so early! I'm trying to encourage her to do the IB for this reason!

OP posts:
blaaake · 28/01/2018 21:04

Well, considering I was advised by a tutor I know at Cambridge to choose a college for my son that still offered as levels, I don't think I am

titchy · 28/01/2018 21:05

And the prestigious universities generally prefer candidates that have them

No they categorically do not.

blaaake · 28/01/2018 21:05

And the phrase about prestigious universities preferring candidates with as levels is almost word for word what he said.

titchy · 28/01/2018 21:06

Then the tutor needs shooting for discrimination.

Unless the tutor said this two or more years ago before they were decoupled.

Teenmum60 · 28/01/2018 21:07

My DD is going to do Physics A Level without Maths....The HT has said this is fine and so has the A Level Physics Teacher (who is her current teacher) ...it does close the door to any engineering etc degree if they do not have Maths but it doesn't close the door to some other degrees. The school said they would assist DD with any Maths support she needs to complete Physics...she is doing another Science and DT Graphics.