FAQs about A-level choice
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CIFE colleges talk to hundreds of students a year about A-level choices. Here are answers to some of the questions they ask. If you have another question about A-level choice do contact CIFE or one of its member colleges. This article complements our other advice article 'Choosing the right A-level subjects'. You can download both articles in Choosing the right A-level subjects pdf.
What are AS / A2 and how do they relate to A level?
An A level consists of two parts, AS and A2. A2 builds on AS knowledge and skills, and is therefore more challenging. AS and A2 in a subject have their own separate syllabuses and exams. Most AS and A2 subjects each consist of two ‘units’.
It is quite possible to take AS on its own, but A2 isn’t a separate qualification: you take it after (or, in some courses, alongside) the AS. Your marks for AS and A2 are added together to determine your final A-level grade. Because you will generally sit AS exams at the end of lower sixth you can’t afford to take it easy during the first year in the sixth-form. In the second year you take A2 exams (and will possibly retake some parts of AS in order to boost your marks).
All AS and A2 exams can be taken in the May / June exam session. A more limited number can also be taken in January. Some sixth-forms only use the summer exams, others also use the January sessions (eg for retakes of AS)
How many subjects should I take?
Unless your GCSE performance suggests that you are likely to struggle in the sixth-form you will probably be advised to take 4 AS subjects in lower sixth. You will drop one of these subjects at the end of the year in order to concentrate on the 3 A2 courses for your final year.
Because you will drop one of the first-year subjects, and you don’t have to decide which to drop until late in the first year, this pattern gives you welcome flexibility. The fourth AS allows you to broaden your programme or try new subjects out. Some students choose AS subjects which inter-relate, others use the opportunity to pick a subject area which contrasts with their main area of interest.
The 4 AS, 3 A2 pattern tends to be the one which competitive universities prefer. If you do not take that fourth subject they may think that you only took 3 AS because you weren’t capable of more (unless there are good reasons, such as taking A levels in less time, or in a sixth-form which discourages 4 subjects).
If you do not do reasonably well at GCSE, you may be better off sticking to three AS in lower sixth. That gives you an easier workload, and if everything goes (very) well you may be able to pick up another AS in your second year. Talk to your school about this, but if you are undecided it is probably better to start off with four AS; it is easier to drop from four to three than it is to pick up an extra subject part-way through.
Is there any advantage in taking a fifth AS (which you would do in the upper sixth)? In general the answer is ‘No’, particularly given the high work load. See for example this advice from King’s College Cambridge.
What if I find I’ve chosen the wrong subjects?
If one of your subjects turns out to be not quite right you may find that your college allows you to change so long as you do so early in lower sixth. Or you might decide it’s worth carrying on, knowing that you can drop it after AS. Talk to your teachers / year tutor sooner rather than later if you think you’ve chosen all the wrong subjects.
If this happens and it’s not possible to change, or if your AS results are really disappointing, you may face the need to change college or / and to restart the sixth-form. It is possible to do complete A levels in one year: most CIFE colleges offer one-year A-level courses and are very happy to give advice.
Will my GCSE results affect my subject choice?
Yes. They might affect whether you can join your chosen sixth-form at all. They provide an important guide to how well you are likely to cope with particular subjects, and they may influence the number of AS levels it is sensible to take on.
Even if you stay in the same school for sixth form you may find that there’s a general requirement you have to meet in order to start A levels. If you are moving to a new college there will almost certainly be some sort of entry requirement. If your GCSE predictions show that you will have trouble meeting the requirement you ought to have a Plan B, just in case!
The same applies to taking particular AS levels. For most subjects you should have reached a particular level of skills and/or knowledge to succeed in the sixth form; for instance, you are likely to find Maths and French A levels very challenging if you have not been achieving at A or B grade standard in the fifth form. Many sixth forms set minimum entry standards in such subjects. However, there are quite a few A levels which don’t require a specific GCSE background.
Your GCSE performance can also affect the general pattern of your course. As mentioned earlier, it might affect the number of AS levels you take and if you discover you haven’t passed Maths or English GCSE you really ought to make room in your programme for retakes of these essential subjects.
Are some subjects better for university entrance?
You may be at a disadvantage applying for ‘academic’ degrees if universities think you are undertaking a less challenging A-level programme. A combination such as Business Studies, Economics and Accounts - subjects which are similar in approach and subject matter - is felt to be too easy. The same applies if your A2 subjects do not include at least two different ‘academic’ A levels - see this article in the Guardian. Practical Art and Performing Arts certainly count as less academic, but the jury is out on subjects like Film and Media Studies. Of course this is less of a concern if you’re aiming at those areas for your degree. Read Cambridge University’s ‘Subject Matters’ advice to seet how a top university regards A-level subject combinations.
It is more important that you choose a subject combination you will enjoy, and which will support your degree-level studies than that you find a fourth AS level which is very different from the other three.
My chosen degree has no specific A-level requirement. Can I choose whatever I want?
Yes, though you might find some A-level subjects provide you with relevant skills or complementary background. For example, if you want to do a Business degree you could take Business Studies A level (even though it’s not required it will show you what the subject is like), or you might go for A levels such as Economics, Politics, History. Bear in mind the earlier FAQ about avoiding narrow programmes.
I can’t take the subject combination I want. What should I do?
If your college offers your subjects but they’re a ‘forbidden combination’ don’t just assume that’s the final word. Ask whether there’s any flexibility in the timetable – it may still be provisional. If a subject you want really is not available, look into similar subjects to check whether they may actually be just as acceptable.
Only you can decide how much of a compromise is acceptable. If you’re really not happy with the options in front of you, do consider other sixth-forms. Some (most CIFE colleges for example) make a point of offering a wide a range of subjects and few restrictions on how you combine them.