Economics or Business A level for mathsy non-essay loving student

[Bobbster]

My son needs to choose his A levels in a couple of weeks. His main strength is Maths, he has decided on Maths, Further Maths and Computer Science but he needs a fourth (school rules). He doesn't like English and struggles with essays (has dysgraphia) though should get a 6 for GCSE English. He is weighing up whether Economics or Business Studies is more essay-based. Any advice welcome.

You could download and review past exam papers for the exam boards selected by your DS's school. This will give an idea of the balance of essay heavy questions - but you won't escape extended answers in either subject. Is there any reason he is not considering Physics A level?

Physics was the other option but he is a bit worried about how hard and how much work it would be. He doesn't love it and is doing combined rather than triple science but I agree it would solve the essay issue. He thinks Maths, Further Maths, Computer Science will already be a lot so doesn't want to overload himself.

My sons school ask for a higher english grade for economics thab business studies and say it involves essay writing. Im sure the college /school can advise.

Physics. Business studies and economics are junk subjects (and not just at A-level).

Physics is written in the language of maths, so less of a stretch from maths compared with qualitative subjects like economics. If there are any worries about widening horizons when trying to do well in exams, narrow them! Obvs.

Disclaimer: I have a PhD in physics and I like an easy life...

I also have a nephew who has just dropped out of a maths degree after spreading himself too thin across geography and economics at a level 😭

Also, physics starts to get interesting at a level after being dead boring at gcse...

There is a bit of overlap between maths/further maths and physics (probably comp sci too but none of mine did that) so in some ways for students who are good at these subjects it’s less work than adding a different subject.

Do the school insist on 4 A levels all the way through? Or can he drop one ? In which case it doesn’t really matter what subject he picks. Do the bare minimum work and settle for Maths, Further Maths and Comp science.

Basically, physics = ace, anything else = dull.

Ignoring some of the nonsense posted, I would say that economics isn't really all that much maths at A Level (and then becomes maths at degree level!) but is a lot of graphs and stats and essay writing. Business is quite investigative and less theoretical and involves presenting stuff in writing. Economics has a lot of rote learning.

So, if he doesn't want to write essays, swerve both!

Generally, it’s not schools insisting on four A levels per se, but that Further Maths can only be an extra i.e. fourth subject. My DD had a similar dilemma and chose Business Studies and is enjoying it and doing well. She has 5 great uni offers, so doesn’t sound like they think it’s a “junk subject”. Economics is very theoretical and involves more essay writing.

@VerbenaGirl The OP's son might be a private school as some do insist you start with 4 A levels, regardless of whether one is F Maths, often with the view that you will drop one for Year 13.

OP - as pp said, Economics A level is essay-focused. A lot of writing.

I imagine Business Studies is as if not more essay-based than Economics, but from what I understand it's easier than Economics. So something to bear in mind if he wants to lighten his load.

Picking a random exam board, and looking at the specs, both Economics and Business Studies have two essays in the exams. It doesn't say how long, and there are also things like case studies where there will be shorter written answers, but it does look fairly comparable. You can google the specs, and it might have a guideline length if you explore further, or you could estimate from the length of the papers.

DD's longest essay in sixth form was her UCAS personal statement - none in maths/FM/chemistry, and very short ones in a MFL!

He may find he can drop the fourth subject after a while. A lot of people drop out of FM, which is why schools would rather they start with four, so that they still have three subjects if they do, rather than having to pick another one up a term into the course. Once it's clear that they'll stay the course with FM, they may be willing to discuss dropping one of the others if they're struggling with the workload.

Not at private school, but school states that if taking Further Maths it will be a fourth subject and the only one you can drop if taking 4 doesn't work out. Looks like we need to look at past papers.

Is Physics an insane amount of work and massive jump up for a 77 or 88 combined science student?

My son did physics A level and only did combined science. Also did economics and it is a lot of writing. If he’s doing maths and further maths I think he will be fine with it.

The overlap between physics and maths a level is fairly substantial.

If he is doing further as well he will find it even easier.

I did physics A level alongside maths and further maths, though that’s nearly 30 years ago now! I really enjoyed it and got an A and I was a bit work shy (got Ds in chemistry and further maths due to lack of work!) So if you have decent maths ability then I’d say physics is a good option and definitely no essay writing!

A level further maths is an order of magnitude more difficult than any of the other A levels, I'd be a bit worried about a student with 6's and 7's in any GCSE taking it. But back to your question, certainly physics is quite straightforward compared with FM. I don't really know business that well but good essay writing is essential for economics, which at A level has almost no maths in it harder than calculating percentage changes.

Physics.

or more sensibly

Change schools to 6th form to one that will let him keep 2 maths and Computing and drop any 4th.

(Never understand people who compromise A level options just to stay in same school, major extenuating circumstances aside)

Ds is taking the same subjects as your son plus economics. His board is AQA and it is literally all essays just different marks for each one, two of which are 25 markers in a paper. So I would avoid. Business studies is also essays but you can ask his sixth form.

His combined grade for all 3 sciences may not reflect his current ability in physics, ie 9 in physics but 7 in biology so it evens out at 7,7 or 8,8 depending on how he performs. Ds1 took maths, fm, cs and physics. Less maths in physics at A level, he enjoyed it less than GCSE.

Re maths, some schools really downplay how hard it is and maths teachers on here would recommend being a grade 8 or higher if you want a decent A level grade in it. That also goes for Further Maths. A grade 7 at GCSE is probably going to turn into a C/D at A level. Ask the school what children come in with and what they attain for A level.

For A levels you really have to love the subject especially if doing maths and fm because 50% of the timetable will be maths. For Ds2 due to timetabling he currently has 6 hours of maths on one day. He is year 13. I would potentially consider other colleges rather than being forced into choosing a subject for the sake of it.