French Fast Track GCSE and then French AS in year 11?

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mandelbaum
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2010 1:36 pm

French Fast Track GCSE and then French AS in year 11?

Post by mandelbaum »

DS is thinking of doing French Fast Track in year 10 and then French AS in year 11. Is this feasible, especially since he is thinking of taking German and Italian, too?

These are his definite: Maths, 2 x English, 3 x Science and German.

His additional options are:
French/ French Fast Track and/or Italian
History or RS
Music and/or Economics/ DT Graphic Design
Your comments are very much appreciated, thanks.
MB
Guest55
Posts: 16254
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Re: French Fast Track GCSE and then French AS in year 11?

Post by Guest55 »

Don't do any GCSEs early - the grade is regarded as if the exam was taken in Year 11.

Universities will probably disregard the AS as they want to see all A levels taken together at the end of Year 13.
mandelbaum
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2010 1:36 pm

Re: French Fast Track GCSE and then French AS in year 11?

Post by mandelbaum »

Thanks Guest55. Would that also be the case if he dropped French at A Level, i.e. making it 2 AS levels and 3 A levels?
Guest55
Posts: 16254
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Re: French Fast Track GCSE and then French AS in year 11?

Post by Guest55 »

Three A levels and an AS are fine BUT AS in Year 12 then A levels in Year 13.

If you complete an A level in Year 12 you may find that three A levels have to be taken in Year 13. University offers sometimes disregard any A levels already completed.
SteveDH
Posts: 464
Joined: Wed Feb 28, 2007 12:30 pm
Location: Harrow

Re: French Fast Track GCSE and then French AS in year 11?

Post by SteveDH »

you may find reading this thread informative

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthr ... ?t=1910336
mandelbaum
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2010 1:36 pm

Re: French Fast Track GCSE and then French AS in year 11?

Post by mandelbaum »

Thank you, that is very informative! It seems there is no advantage in doing AS level in year 11. I just wonder why the school offers it? What about if he dropped French after having done AS level in year 11 and did four new AS/ A levels in year 12 and 13? Sorry if this does not make much sense - can hardly get my head around GCSEs, let alone A levels.
Also, would you recommend GCSEs in three foreign languages?
Guest55
Posts: 16254
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Re: French Fast Track GCSE and then French AS in year 11?

Post by Guest55 »

He needs to take his GCSEs at the end of Year 11 altogether.

The school is not doing it for your son's benefit but to boost their points score. The best plan is to have as many A and A* GCSE grades in one sitting.
mandelbaum
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2010 1:36 pm

Re: French Fast Track GCSE and then French AS in year 11?

Post by mandelbaum »

Thanks guest55, for making that point clear. :)
He now just needs to decide whether to take two or three modern foreign languages, history or RS, music and/or economics. Any thoughts appreciated, cheers.
Guest55
Posts: 16254
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Re: French Fast Track GCSE and then French AS in year 11?

Post by Guest55 »

Which subjects does he enjoy? What are his future interests for A level?

What level does he play music? If he is around grade 5 then that a third of the marks under his belt. DT is a lot of work but if he might be interested in design or engineering then it's useful.

Don't let the school 'push' you towards subjects that comprise the artificial 'Ebacc' if they aren't subjects he enjoys!

No-one needs 3 language GCSEs.
KB
Posts: 3030
Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:28 pm

Re: French Fast Track GCSE and then French AS in year 11?

Post by KB »

Agree with comments re needing GCSEs in year 11 and AS in year 12.
Ditto re 3 MFL - narrows down other options.

History re RS - if he can cope with History then its generally regarded as more academic and again leaves more doors open.

Economics is generally seen as a softer option at GCSE and not required to do A level but it is probably the least work and if its the least academic of a clutch of otherwise strong subjects then it shouldn't be an issue.

DT takes a huge amount of time so only choose it if he loves it and will enjoy spending his free time working on it or he needs it for future options (in which case he probably does love it!)
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