GCSE grades

[wellmadecake]

DD2 has been predicted these grades for her GCSEs, her siblings I'd have to admit were not as bright. She is hoping to go to a good RG university, and we do not know what subjects she should take at A-level, and what grades at GCSE are suited to that level university.
Her subjects:
German: 9 Music:7 History:9 Geography:8 Maths:8 Biology:9 Chemistry:8 Physics:7 English Lang: 8 Lit: 9

She knows she wants to do History for A-Level and potentially University. DS1 did classical civilisation A-level and recommended it but DD2 didn't want to do that. She hates maths and physics, so those options are not viable.

For a levels, would history, chemistry and German be good options? That was what I think she enjoys but she is bad at decisions and doesn't want to pick wrong.

She really enjoys German and History, the other subjects are just mediocre for her. I have never been in this territory before (super clever kids) and any advice would be helpful

[ErrolTheDragon]

I'm a chemist and love the subject - and I'm agreeing that it doesn't make sense by itself, especially if she hates maths and physics.

[MrsEricBana]

Agree with not chemistry. In her place I'd be considering History + two of German/Economics/Politics. Psychology also a great A level.

[Johnathonripples]

Politics could be useful if they fancy it.
Or English literature
Is there a possibility to start on 4 A levels and drop one to try them out? Dc has just dropped History (started with 4 in September)

[Walkaround]

English lit or Geography stand out as the most natural accompaniments to her two choices from the subjects she already has some knowledge of. I wouldn't advise chemistry if she isn't keen on maths, unless she truly loves the subject - it's a bit of a random choice on its own which, whilst showing scientific aptitude, wouldn't be much much use without maths in a scientific career or degree course.

[Shootstr8]

OP, it's right to work backwards from where DD wants to be & to try careers advice.. & also UCAS advice.

There are lots more helpful websites than this one for you to look at re: A Level advice (the last post springs to mind along with "the students at my school get 8's & 9's.. it's no biggie".. eyes rolling right out the door & down the road, plus massive Yawn)!!

Good luck with whatever DD decides, she'll be fine, sounds like a very smart cookie that you do not need to be apologetic for or timid about... shout it from the rooftops, a young, bright, intelligent DD... you go girl👍!!

[UnaCorda]

her siblings I'd have to admit were not as bright

I don't understand the relevance of this to your question.

[MEgirl]

When looking at A level options and school choices we were always advised that A level Chemistry is difficult without A level maths. I'm sure some manage but others find it difficult without the additional maths.

[Tvstar]

What year is she in now? Y11? Is the school requiring provisional a level choices? I wouldn't worry too much as they are just to help with their planning. There are not many years of new gcses under the belt and predictions may not be that accurate. She will e able to change her choices

[AppleKatie]

I agree that the Chemistry seems random with the other two chosen. Why does she like it? If she doesn’t like maths/other sciences is it just that she does like her Chem teacher? I’d try and drill down into that a bit.

English seems like the obvious choice but if she’s not keen another humanity/social science seems to ‘go’ more.

Utimately though she should do whatever she enjoys if she’s as bright as those predictions appear then she can make a success of anything she’s motivated to achieve. Just make sure she’s really considered the course content of what she’s choosing.

[AJ45]

My daughter got similar grades to your DD’s predicted grades (5 A*, 6A, 1B) and went on to do Chemistry, Biology and Music A’levels. She found Chemistry very difficult so unless your DD wants to study it at uni I’d say it’s one to avoid! Geography would be a good choice with History and German, or English.

[Londonmummy66]

A language is really good for history as it widens the scope of what you want to study (not all source material is in English!). Beyond that it will depend on what sort of history she likes. If she is into social and economic history then either Maths & Stats or economics might be helpful. Geography can also be useful if she might want to look at landscape and settlement patterns etc. If she is interested in looking at literary sources as historical evidence then perhaps English Lit at A level. CLassics is a good grounding for looking at the common assumptions that underlie legal systems, culture etc in Europe but will be of less use if she wants to look at non-European topics.

[Musmerian]

A level chemistry is tough and a big leap from GCSE - is she really keen on it? English works well with History so worth considering.

[PocketDictionary]

If she hates physics then chemistry is looking weirdly out on a limb.

[Purpledragon40]

That's a very high set of predicted grades and if she does really get them that is probably higher than any Year 11 at my school will get (which isn't saying a huge amount but clearly she is bright)

Picking A levels is a lot easier if your child knows what she wants to do at uni but in lieu of that a language and history aren't to bad when paired together but instead of chemistry I would be looking at Eng Lit. That should allow her do a lot of different Bachelor of Arts courses.

[Comefromaway]

She should take the subjects for A level that she enjoys and is good at.

For a history degree history A level is essential and possibly 1 other essay based subject such as English Lit would be great, but really her other two choices don't matter so much.

Most universities are only interested in A level results but a handful do score GCSE's too. Those that do tend not to differentiate between 8/9 and 7 is scored highly. Some score the best 5, some the best 8. A couple of 6's wouldn't be too detrimental.

[matcatwomanheresheis]

OP, maybe something like German, History and Economics / Politics / Geography / English? Then she could study any combo of these at uni, with or without German? Also an EPQ is a good idea, I’m told.

Are the school not actually advising as to subject choices?

I also agree with pps that it’s very unusual for schools to be predicting 9s. At the DC school where the vast majority got all 8s/ 9s, they were predicted 7s max following the mocks. I think the idea is to encourage them not to become complacent! They mark the mock papers down even, if necessary. Then they came out with all 9s and were very surprised,

[titchy]

History, German fine. Ditch the chemistry - waste of an opportunity to do a subject that enhances history (eg Politics, Eng Lit, Economics).

Universities don't generally care about GCSE grades - it's A level grades that count.

[LolaSmiles]

Not just the pressure OP, totally ridiculous from the school as nobody can say what will get a 9 on any given year.


I think you're taking the right approach. As long as she isn't wanting to go into sciences where having multiple sciences and maths would be typical for top universities, then following her strengths and interests is the best approach.

I'd also consider checking out subjects she's unsure of at college open evenings too because there's some substantial differences between some GCSE and a level courses.

[wellmadecake]

I completely agree about the 9s, it puts a lot of pressure on as well as 9s being considered incredibly high and prestigious. I've told DD2 to not be set on these predictions, and to just go with whichever subjects she enjoys.

[wellmadecake]

@clary @Trewser for German, her father is fluent in it. We had raised the children with English and a bit of German as well. DD2 is the only one with a real interest in other languages though. I though predicting 9s was a bit high as well, although DD2 has always been working incredibly hard and has always gotten high grades in class.

[LolaSmiles]

Ok, well I think straight As and A and beyond is impressive*
I do too and haven't said otherwise.

It just happens to be what our more able students get every year, so it's a great set of results though entirely in line with what would be expected from an able student.

[TeenPlusTwenties]

I personally don't think that Chemistry adds much there.
It would go well with geography, but without another science based subject it's a bit out on a limb.

So: History, German and?
Eng Lit
Politics
Sociology
Business
Italian ab initio
...

Loads of options out there that probably open more doors than Chemistry.

[Trewser]

Ok, well I think straight As and A* and beyond is impressive.

[LolaSmiles]

trewser
I'm not saying they're a standard set of grades.I'm saying they are a standard set of grades for an able student

They're a great set of grades, but entirely in line with what our bright students achieve.

I agree predicting 9s is ridiculous.

[Trewser]

Eng Lit, History then something like Classics or RS (philosophy and ethics)? Is she a native German speaker? Because it can be hard to get top grades at MFL