- #1
FeDeX_LaTeX
Gold Member
- 437
- 13
Hello;
Since year 9 I have wanted to take my A-Level in maths early, in the hope that it will lighten the load for my studies when I reach the A-Level stage (for example, most people who have an intention to study science at higher education end up studying 4AS x 4A2). Or, if I feel I will be able to handle my time well, I could choose another A-Level...
The way it would have worked is;
July 2011 - finished 6 modules for maths, gaining an AS in mathematics and an A2 in mathematics
January 2012 - since I would have finished maths A-level I would be set with a class a year older to study the further maths course. By this point I would have completed half the course of further maths.
July 2012 - end of year 12; should have finished A-level in further maths by this stage.
Sep 2012 to July 2013 - do rest of A-levels as normal, and maybe take an extra AS (such as Spanish or Psychology or Human Biology) if I feel I can manage the time well.
I talked to my teacher about it, and he said that he would be happy to enter me. I was very pleased, because after arguing so much with my school in year 9 and year 10 to take it early, I was finally getting the chance to do it.
Later I learned that, since I was not technically part of my sixth form, I would have to be entered as a private candidate, and therefore would have to pay for each paper sat, usually at least £25 per paper or potentially £75 per paper. So, I would have to pay between £150 and £450... which I can't afford. The school is willing to pay for 1 or 2 of the modules, but I have to pay the rest. I have talked to my parents about this, and they have said that they will be willing to pay no matter what the cost, but, the thing is, I don't want them to... if I can do it for free next year, why pay so much to do it early? I come from a fairly... well, not privileged background, so I fear that doing this may make it harder for my family to cope financially.
My original plan, before knowing I could take it early, was to do;
First year - AS in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology
Second year - A2 in Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics
If I did the exams early it would look like this;
Pre-first year - AS in Maths, A2 in Maths
First year - AS in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, A2 in Further Maths
Second year - A2 in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, + extra AS in one subject (Spanish/Human Biology/Psychology etc.)
So, do you think it is worth it, sitting the exams early? My ambition is to go to Oxbridge when I am older - so far I am doing well at GCSE (I am predicted all A* grades, and I am on track to achieve around 9 A* and 3 A grades). The only issue here is the cost. With the 'potential' plan, I would end up having 5 AS x 6 A2, but do universities really care if I do this compared to if I do 4 AS x 4 A2, or 4 AS x 3 A2?
As for if I can do the exams now, it's fine, I can achieve A or A* in past papers at the moment, with the 16 weeks or so I have to study the 6 modules it can push my grades up to A* with hard work.
So, is it worth it paying that amount to sit A-Levels early (i.e. if you could go back in time to do A-Levels early would you do this)?
I have yet to receive the actual costs from the examination officer at my school (I'm crossing my fingers that maybe they offer something where I can manage to do it for free or a very low/payable amount), but I just don't think it is worth it myself, and if I get an A and not an A*, then I will feel bad, because my parents will have paid for me to not get what I wanted...
Any advice?
Thanks.
Since year 9 I have wanted to take my A-Level in maths early, in the hope that it will lighten the load for my studies when I reach the A-Level stage (for example, most people who have an intention to study science at higher education end up studying 4AS x 4A2). Or, if I feel I will be able to handle my time well, I could choose another A-Level...
The way it would have worked is;
July 2011 - finished 6 modules for maths, gaining an AS in mathematics and an A2 in mathematics
January 2012 - since I would have finished maths A-level I would be set with a class a year older to study the further maths course. By this point I would have completed half the course of further maths.
July 2012 - end of year 12; should have finished A-level in further maths by this stage.
Sep 2012 to July 2013 - do rest of A-levels as normal, and maybe take an extra AS (such as Spanish or Psychology or Human Biology) if I feel I can manage the time well.
I talked to my teacher about it, and he said that he would be happy to enter me. I was very pleased, because after arguing so much with my school in year 9 and year 10 to take it early, I was finally getting the chance to do it.
Later I learned that, since I was not technically part of my sixth form, I would have to be entered as a private candidate, and therefore would have to pay for each paper sat, usually at least £25 per paper or potentially £75 per paper. So, I would have to pay between £150 and £450... which I can't afford. The school is willing to pay for 1 or 2 of the modules, but I have to pay the rest. I have talked to my parents about this, and they have said that they will be willing to pay no matter what the cost, but, the thing is, I don't want them to... if I can do it for free next year, why pay so much to do it early? I come from a fairly... well, not privileged background, so I fear that doing this may make it harder for my family to cope financially.
My original plan, before knowing I could take it early, was to do;
First year - AS in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology
Second year - A2 in Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics
If I did the exams early it would look like this;
Pre-first year - AS in Maths, A2 in Maths
First year - AS in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, A2 in Further Maths
Second year - A2 in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, + extra AS in one subject (Spanish/Human Biology/Psychology etc.)
So, do you think it is worth it, sitting the exams early? My ambition is to go to Oxbridge when I am older - so far I am doing well at GCSE (I am predicted all A* grades, and I am on track to achieve around 9 A* and 3 A grades). The only issue here is the cost. With the 'potential' plan, I would end up having 5 AS x 6 A2, but do universities really care if I do this compared to if I do 4 AS x 4 A2, or 4 AS x 3 A2?
As for if I can do the exams now, it's fine, I can achieve A or A* in past papers at the moment, with the 16 weeks or so I have to study the 6 modules it can push my grades up to A* with hard work.
So, is it worth it paying that amount to sit A-Levels early (i.e. if you could go back in time to do A-Levels early would you do this)?
I have yet to receive the actual costs from the examination officer at my school (I'm crossing my fingers that maybe they offer something where I can manage to do it for free or a very low/payable amount), but I just don't think it is worth it myself, and if I get an A and not an A*, then I will feel bad, because my parents will have paid for me to not get what I wanted...
Any advice?
Thanks.