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sawman
Original Poster
2,774 posts
99 months
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We are currently looking at high school options for my daughter, There are a couple of schools within the area that have good reputations, we are currently renting having just moved into a new area, and so could move to place ourselves in the catchment for one or the other. My daughter seems to like and have an aptitude for science based subjects, I note that one of the schools run science in such a way as it culminates in a Science A level, whereas the other runs chemistry, biology and physics separately culminating in A levels for each.
Anyone got any views as to how this difference could influence access to universities in the long run? ie is it better or worse to do a combined science A level or individual sunjects?
Cheers
s
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SplatSpeed
7,271 posts
120 months
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i think more specalised science is better, if she wants to go into sciences.
if she want law then a combined science is better
just my 2p
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rhinochopig
16,050 posts
67 months
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100% go for split sciences. Combined is akin to the GCSE they created for stupid people in the 80s called 'Language for Life'.
She'll be at a massive disadvantage at Uni if she's only done 1/3rd of the syllabus of her chosen subject.
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ewenm
24,448 posts
114 months
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I'd go for the individual subjects too.
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GroundEffect
7,199 posts
25 months
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A 'science' A level is worse than separate.
If she has a preference in which scientific field she would like to go in to, she should focus on that, as the they will be more focused and more thorough.
I did Chemistry and Physics and eventually went in to Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering.
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CBR JGWRR
5,078 posts
18 months
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Depends on what she wants to do post A levels. If going into a science, then specialise.
If going into something else, then a combined one will do.
I went for Physics at A level, with maths and the new engineering diploma.
If going onto uni, then tell her that do not under any possible circumstances leave it until the last week to do work.
Biggest piece of advice I can give really...
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otolith
19,356 posts
73 months
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sawman said: My daughter seems to like and have an aptitude for science based subjects Then I would say that the combined science option is not intended for her.
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DrTre
12,428 posts
101 months
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Pros and cons to both, depending on what she wants to do after a levels.
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doogz
18,670 posts
56 months
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We don't have A-levels up here, but in our school, clever kids took seperate chemistry/physics/biology, dumb kids took combined "standard science" or "spam science" as it was usually known.
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sparks_E39
6,575 posts
82 months
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I guess it depends if she wants to do A Levels and beyond.
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pablo
10,267 posts
142 months
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i wonder how many people have opened this thread and are now thinking "oh those A- Levels....."
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Ultuous
1,617 posts
60 months
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Another vote here for seperate sciences - this is coming from someone who was given no choice other than to do combined science at GCSE level, and spent his A levels (where we were offered seperate sciences) catching up on 'proper' Physics (not so bad in my case as most people were in the same boat) before going on to an Engeering degree!
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holmzy
50 posts
55 months
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I'd definitely say go for the one offering separate A levels rather than one combined Science one; it'll be much more flexible, especially if she decides she is more interested in a particular one. It will also keep more doors open for university as when I was applying many of them asked for specific A levels (Maths and Physics in my case for engineering) but I don't recall any mention of a combined Science A level (this may have changed since).
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ArsE92
16,970 posts
56 months
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pablo said: i wonder how many people have opened this thread and are now thinking "oh those A- Levels....."  I resisted asking about GFE/CIM due to the 'age thing'.
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R300will
3,603 posts
20 months
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Pick the separate sciences! If she likes science anyway chances are she will be good at it. So 3 good A-levels beats one to start with. Also depending on the course some uni's want only biology and chemistry e.g. medicine and veterinary medicine so if she got A's in those it would stand out more than an A in the combined science because she could have pulled the grade up using physics instead.
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lazystudent
1,511 posts
30 months
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lol what on earth is a "science" A-level!?
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JuniorD
3,067 posts
92 months
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I was in a phonebox in Kensington and some pretty schoolgirls had left pictures of themselves up. Most said they A-levels but didn't stipulate if they were in double-award science or or separate physics/bio/chem so I guess it doesn't really matter.
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intrepid44
637 posts
69 months
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I would say if she wants to do a science or an engineering topic at university, then the most useful A level subjects will be maths and further maths.
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66comanche
2,369 posts
28 months
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sawman said: We are currently looking at high school options for my daughter, Nothing useful to add, but please don't tell me they are generally referred to as such nowadays!
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sparks_E39
6,575 posts
82 months
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66comanche said: Nothing useful to add, but please don't tell me they are generally referred to as such nowadays! Mine was a high school from at least 1994 onwards.
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