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Secondary education

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Original poster

4 A Levels?

28 replies

Van96 · 07/02/2023 14:22

DC in year 11 - surprised at how many of their friends have applied to do 4 A levels. If degree courses only want 3 why risk compromising grades by doing more? DC's inclination is for 3 A levels plus EPQ - if your child is doing 4, why so?

OP posts:
KangarooKenny · 07/02/2023 14:36

My last child has only done 3 as the college now only needs them to do 3, whereas before it was 4 and drop one after a year.

lanthanum · 07/02/2023 14:46

Are many of them doing maths and further maths? Doing both does not usually take the time of two A-levels (largely because if you can cope with further maths then single maths doesn't take as much time as it does for most people). One of our local sixth form colleges insists that those doing further maths do four (although partly because it means less of a problem if they then decide to drop further maths). That college insists on an EPQ as well.

Some people are doing four to keep options open if they're not sure yet what they want to do. If they're able enough they may keep going with all of them. Some might narrow down by September.

One of DD's friends started off with four but always the intention of dropping one once she'd worked out which she was struggling with most.

multivac · 07/02/2023 15:05

One of our twins is doing maths and further maths, plus two more subjects; the other is doing four A levels because he was told he could (he did an extra GCSE, too). They are both applying for universities with extremely demanding admission requirements - and when you are being asked for 3 x A stars, taking four subjects feels safer than three! Neither has opted to do an EPQ, though, which is like an additional subject in itself.

Saturdaynoon · 07/02/2023 16:08

DS1 did four, because he wanted to. Needed one of the subjects for his degree, didn't want to miss out on the others.

He was fine, although the exam period was a bit bonkers.

minisnowballs · 07/02/2023 16:15

DD1 wants to do four - because she can't decide. She's naturally an Arts girl when it comes to studying, but given she wants to be a nurse she knows she needs biology.

Had her sixth form interview yesterday and they're happy with it for now, and she can drop one later if needed. It at least buys some more time for decisions.

ShanghaiDiva · 07/02/2023 16:21

My dd is taking 4 : maths, further maths, chemistry and biology. I don’t think this combination of 4 a levels is that unusual. It’s certainly less work than when my son did the IB diploma.

Choconut · 07/02/2023 16:24

DS considered doing 4 but chose instead to do 3 and an EPQ. He's enjoying the EPQ much more than the A-levels so definitely the right choice for him.

Thistooshallpass. · 07/02/2023 16:25

My DD is at a grammar school - they have advised only doing 3 - the exception being if it's further maths as a 4th as essentially not that much more work required .
They said universities only want three and better to get really high grades across 3 than risk being abit lower across 4 .

noblegiraffe · 07/02/2023 16:47

Applying to do 4 and actually doing 4 are very different things, particularly once you realise what it actually means.

FourTeaFallOut · 07/02/2023 16:58

My DC is applying to do four but one is maths and another is further maths. If the workload is too much he can drop the further maths to an AS level.

Saturdaynoon · 07/02/2023 17:42

Doing four - you lose most of your free periods because of the lessons, and you have an extra subject to study on top of the lessons.

And, as I said, the actual exam period was quite frankly bonkers.

It worked for DS because two of the subjects were his passion anyway and he was ridiculously motivated, but I wouldn't imagine it's a good idea generally. DS2 certainly won't go down that route.

BonjourCrisette · 07/02/2023 18:06

At DD's school, they start with four and drop one after a year. I think that's quite sensible - at least you know which of the three you like best and are doing best at.

redrobin75 · 07/02/2023 18:23

As others say applying to do 4 and taking 4 at the end of 2 years are different situations.

Untitledsquatboulder · 07/02/2023 18:57

Ds1 started with 4 at the beginning of Y12 then dropped one at Christmas as he found the workload too high. Started w 4 because he wasn't sure whether he preferred geography or chemistry- turned out he liked them both but preferred geography.

multivac · 07/02/2023 19:28

Saturdaynoon · 07/02/2023 17:42

Doing four - you lose most of your free periods because of the lessons, and you have an extra subject to study on top of the lessons.

And, as I said, the actual exam period was quite frankly bonkers.

It worked for DS because two of the subjects were his passion anyway and he was ridiculously motivated, but I wouldn't imagine it's a good idea generally. DS2 certainly won't go down that route.

Yes, the mix ofsubjects would make a difference I guess. DT1 (Y13) is doing 2 essay subjects, maths (which he finds relatively easy) and graphic design. It's a good balance for him. DT2 is doing the maths/ further maths thing, which as others have said, isn't the same as adding a whole different subject...

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 07/02/2023 20:51

Y11 DC1 is planning to do four. However one is further maths, and another is music, so probably at least 30% hobby content that she'd be doing anyway.

So I reckon the workload will probably be the equivalent of 3.5 rather than 4.

Wintermornings · 07/02/2023 21:41

Aside from FM students, those who apply to do 4 rarely actually end up sitting 4 subjects at our school. Some drop because they had seriously underestimated the work. But more do so because they were only ever intending to do 3 and the 4th was either an insurance policy (especially with new subjects in the mix) or they genuinely couldn't choose between subjects until experiencing them at A level.

Alexandernevermind · 07/02/2023 21:46

Our local comp don't even give you the option to do 4, you are only allowed 3. When it's points you need to get onto degree courses this puts state educated kids (from our area) at a disadvantage straight away.

Fifthtimelucky · 07/02/2023 21:59

Alexandernevermind · 07/02/2023 21:46

Our local comp don't even give you the option to do 4, you are only allowed 3. When it's points you need to get onto degree courses this puts state educated kids (from our area) at a disadvantage straight away.

Not necessarily. Some independent schools (including the one my children went to) also restrict pupils to 3 A levels (except for those doing Further Maths as the 4th).

Their view was that it was better to get 3 top grades than 4 lower ones.

Somanyquestionstoaskaboutthis · 07/02/2023 22:06

Dd was advised universities were only interested in 3 unless the 4th was further maths.
ds is doing 4 including further maths and still has lots of free lessons and gets his homework all done in those at this stage ( year 12)

Mum97540 · 07/02/2023 22:06

Our comp makes everyone do four, then you are allowed to drop one after half term if you want to. It's helpful if you're not sure about your subjects. By Christmas DD knew she was much better at one than another. She'd have had to continue with the one she didn't like so much otherwise and possibly not do so well. Quite a few continue with four. It gives you more choices in uni courses/careers.

CrescentMoons · 07/02/2023 22:12

Because they want to.

not a brag but they are sitting a level maths alongside their GCSEs (maths was done in year 9) further maths gcse in year 10 and as maths.
they are level 9 in all their other gcses

they are taking 4 and an epq and FUrther maths a level in year 12, test in year 13. If they were allowed to do more they would have done - so she will end up with 6 a levels total. She doesn’t need 6 she just loves studying and it comes easily. And yes she horserides, plays piano, does scouts, swims etc out of school.

and no I don’t stop her - she is a high functioning autistic girl and she is happiest when working and it is hard work and sometimes upsetting as she won’t stop

some kids are academic and thrive on it 🤷‍♀️

2Bornot · 07/02/2023 22:17

Er because they learn more?

A-levels weren’t originally all about impressing university admissions tutors.

Some students still 😱 actually want to learn.

gogohmm · 07/02/2023 22:20

My DD's both took 4. The huge advantage is that if one doesn't work out they can drop after a year. They both took as levels too, dd1's counted towards her a levels, dd2's did not count but anyone who dropped after a year had the as level.

SunnySomer · 08/02/2023 07:26

My DC wants to study in EU so needs the relevant language (beyond A level) together with the subject-specific A levels. Loves the language and would do it out of school if not at school - so why not?

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