11 Plus Exams Forum

Hi, my DD is just about to start a new state sixth form (we declined an independent) and I am trying to understand what is important in getting to the best Uni course for her, probably something in the Business/ Economics vein.

So far I have learned that there is to be no slacking in this first term, AS results do matter very much, that A2s are a big jump in learning too and predicted grades are vital to secure offers ( unless you take a year out and apply with the actual results).

Also do lots of extra-curricular.

Plus presumably find out who writes the personal reference as them getting to know you well will be important.

What I am not clear about is the need for 4 A2 or the relevance of critical thinking.

Independent 6th form was stressing need for 4 A2 and critical thinking although anecdotal friends experiences said three good A level grades were what counted.

I think looking in detail at the Uni's will be required and my DD will have to be focused in order to settle into new 6th form and consider the next move too - a disadvantage of moving sixth form that we were aware of but now have to deal with !

AS results now have to be declared on UCAS so the first year is even more important. Keep up with work and read around - spend about the same time out of class studying as you do in lessons. Read a good quality newspaper for the subjects she has in mind so that she can discuss from a variety of viewpoints.

Extra curricular are not ultra important - just make sure they are things she enjoys and does regularly - it's the commitment that's important. Critical thinking is not even considered by some Universities ... offers are made on the basis of three A levels but a fourth e.g. in Further Maths might be an advantage or even a complementary subject.

Living up to my name as last minute ! Just arranged a visit to Southampton University for Saturday. Apart from this open day their next big one is next July which, as we are aiming to inspire DD, would probably be too late!

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I would agree about checking the specification and past papers - you can find these on the exam board websites.

http://www.aqa.org.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.edexcel.org.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.ocr.org.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

However - be cautious about resits - some Universities are looking at first results only.

Some now also want grade A in every module, not just an A grade overall. So this all means more pressure from day one!

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Belinda

For maths, where can I get Solomon papers and the the old Pure Papers. Are these the actual names?

Miss Magwich thinks that schools fail to make it clear enough that the final mark is half from the AS modules and half from the A2 modules. Since the AS modules are quite a bit easier it makes a lot of sense to work REALLY hard for these.

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