Career options and A levels: Maths, economics, geography, art or maths, economics, physics, art?

[IHeartNiles]

DD excellent at maths. Predicted mostly 9s at GCSE. Likely to veer towards finance industry based on her interests and the career suitability tool. She’s very good at recognising patterns and solving puzzles. She’s good with people and socially popular.

She loves art and being able to switch off into a creative subject so really wants that as her 4th.

She hates reading. Does not get any enjoyment from it. Has found history a total chore. Has always done well in and enjoys geography and physics, finds other sciences easy but not interested in them or any science based jobs. She attended a session on economics A Level and thought it looked very interesting. Seems quite fixed on this and maths.

What do you think would be the better options? Ideally she would do maths, physics, geography and economics but she thinks that would be a slog and she loves art. She’s not a particularly talented artist but good enough and will probably get an 8/9.

@Needmoresleep

Degree choice is obviously more important. However the A level economics syllabus has improved dramatically. The old one was very dull, and Universities tended not to see it as a particular advantage when selecting students for economics degrees. They seem to luke the new one more. Some level of economic literacy is an advantage in many jobs.

Academic schools have always taken different lines on the 3/4 A level thing. There is no harm starting with 4 and keeping an open mind. A lot will depend on the child. How bright they are, how perfectionist they are, how they handle stress, what else they have going on. Obviously they don't 'need' four, but extra learning rarely goes amiss. Who knows when that art A level might give her the edge when looking for a job or an introduction to a life long interest.

If she drops one it’ll be art- she decided that at the outset. So as a minimum she’d have maths, economics, physics/geography. Definitely not a stressed child or perfectionist. She finds learning easy. If anything stopping her coasting is the issue so I think doing 4 adds a bit of needed pressure on her.

JacobReesMogadishu

Sounds very similar to dds school!

Yes, A levels even 5 years ago don't compare to those of today.

she’d have maths, economics, physics/geography. Definitely not a stressed child or perfectionist. She finds learning easy. If anything stopping her coasting is the issue so I think doing 4 adds a bit of needed pressure on her

If she wants a challenge then do Chemistry instead of Physics/Geog!

Economics is very well regarded as an A Level. It teaches & demonstrates critical thinking and analysis skills.

Yes A levels have definitely got much harder in the last 4 years or so. At the same time, it’s becoming more common IME for schools to now offer several different pathways at A Level where 4 A levels is one option, and 3 plus an EPQ is another, and then there may be a third option. I know several private schools now insist or at least strongly encourage students to start with 4 on the understanding that many will drop one after a year. It’s a way to try out more subjects without being stuck.