11 Plus Exams Forum

I can't believe that I am posting here - seems a second since ds was a sweet little 10 year old working toward his 11 Plus!
But he is making his A level choices now.

He wants to study Medicine.

He definitely wants to take Maths, Chemistry and Biology.

He is 90% sure he wants to take Further Maths at AS level only.

He is unsure about whether to take History or German as an additional subject. He really enjoys both subjects a lot so whichever one he 'drops' will be a pity

Having also researched Med school requirements, many say that they look at 3 A levels and having additional A levels does not 'count'. Is this really true? Would they not look more favourably on a candidate who can show a wider range of ability across different subjects? Or should I advise him to stick with just the 3 A levels and devote his spare time to work experience, such as working in a care home, to improve his person spec?

Would appreciate any insight.

Some A levels change to linear next year so do check whether his choices are affected.

http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gce/gce15/ ... fault.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Maths and F maths don't change until the following year so AS F maths would be a good option.

Does he know who will teach the A levels as that may be a way to decide. Alternatively what area of History do they do at A level? Some syllabuses just repeat the same time periods as GCSE ...

um, for medicine, many Unis do not consider maths and further maths as two separate subjects....if he takes maths, bio,chem and further maths, he will be considered doing 3 subjects only. Please check Unis requirement for medicine subjects - check entry requirements.

However only F Maths AS is being considered so it won't matter ...

Does he know where he will be doing sixth form? Most have an expectation of how many subjects the students take.

I think, not my area of expertise, but from what other parents have said the med schools like history/English as an extra A level. Further maths is definitely not accepted by many and would just seem like an increase in workload (sorry maths bods)!

Looking at random at Imperial's website, they don't appear to mind what you offer as 'extras', so long as they are not of the GS / EPQ variety:

MBBS/BSc Medicine - entry requirements (2015 entry)
A-levels
The minimum entry requirements for this course are three A-levels, including Chemistry and/or Biology and one science or mathematics subject, and one additional subject at AS-level.

If either Chemistry or Biology is offered alone at A-level, then the other is required at AS-level with at least a grade B.

Our normal offer is for grades AAA in three A-levels and B in the AS-level. The three A levels must be undertaken in the same academic year. For candidates offering four A-levels our normal offer is AAAC.

Vocational A and AS-levels are not acceptable and General Studies will not be accepted at any level.

All applicants must have the following subjects at GCSE level, at grades AAABB or above (in any order):

Biology (or Human Biology)
Chemistry
English Language
Mathematics (or Additional Mathematics or Statistics)
Physics
The Science double award may substitute all sciences at GCSE.

EPQ: Please note that an EPQ cannot be used as part of the AS and A2 Level entry requirements

BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)
All candidates applying to the six-year course must take the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) in the year of application in order to be considered for interview.

You are required to register with BMAT assessment centres prior to the test. Please refer to the Admissions Testing Service for key dates and additional information.


Invitations to an interview will be based on:

the content of your UCAS application
your performance in all three sections of BMAT

The inclusion in the offer of a fourth A2 at only C, if it is being taken, would seem to indicate that they want good 'core' A levels, without putting undue pressure on those who are taking more.

Practical tip - make sure that you don't apply to all BMAT med schools - the reason being that BMAT is taken after UCAS submission and a poor BMAT score could result in a full set of rejections!

Also if you have a very good set of GCSEs (9+ A*s) then Birmingham Univ is good bet (they don't use BMAT or UCAT)

The student room has a useful section on the criteria different unis use so that is a good start.

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/medicine" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I looked this up for my chair of governors recently!

ma.org.uk/developing-your-career/medica ... quirements

Don't know why the URL isn't working. Anyway it can be copied.