Number of A Levels

[Surferfish]

How many people did 4 A levels before 2000? Hardly anyone did either when I was a student myself or in any of the schools I taught in ... we are back to linear A levels and the situation is different.

Do IB if you want to study more subjects ...

We all did 4 at my school, and that was back in the late 80's.

Admittedly one of those was General Studies, which wasn't valued by universities as much as the others, but at least it provided that broader education post 18 as it included a bit of everything.

Do schools still offer GS as a 4th A level?

[Reading Mum]

probably not many since it is explicitly excluded from offers by many universities these days

[Guest55]

I've known people sit General Studies with no lessons and get a top grade - that's why universities don't value it. Alongside my A levels we did other non-exam options like General English [for scientists], a language and what would now be called PSHE [including cooking].

[solimum]

General studies ideally provides a slot in the week for exploring a wide range of other topics which arguably a well-rounded future citizen should have come across - IIRC DS2 looked at and debated subjects from scientific ethics to politics and even had the option of taking a German module. He also took Maths & F Maths, Chemistry and Music (plus some extra Maths modules and AS Physics) but this was in the modular days when this was manageable. Giving up his Music to keep completely to the maths/science side would have been difficult, but the IB didn't fit either as it had too much emphasis on the other humanities.

As someone who has just completed an OU "Open" degree in "this and that" (an eclectic mixture of modules ranging from Music to Maths Education with a lot of random science) I agree there are dangers in the narrow early specialisation which the system seems to be returning to.

[kenyancowgirl]

Interesting that more and more Universities stop parents going into the talks as well, as they have identified that a lot of the push is parental, rather than student led - you can see that on the day, as some students turn up with entire families in tow!

You did well to get in KCG, against all the odds!

Nope, not me! I'm found in the coffee bar next door, I'm afraid - It's my son's course not mine - he spoke to the Admissions Tutors and Course Tutors at Open Days - this happens between talks, if your child is clever, they talk to the people manning the stands - often ignored by the hoards of parents queuing up to speak to the person who just came out of the student talk - the Course Leader speaks to whole lecture theatres in some of the general talks that are open to everybody - most unis then ask parents for more specific talks - you also have to bear in mind I am a Careers Adviser - we get invited to specific Adviser days where we get a whole lot of information without parental filters - I have a head start, which comes with a healthy dose of cynicism when looking at published data!

UKCAT tips are easy - he just went through 4 sample papers he found online - it's a cognitive ability test - it tests ability and potential, so to a certain extent it is your innate ability, like the 11 + assesses. Situational Judgement is the one that most easily trips people up - especially those who are "paper bright" rather than "bright and rounded".

I am sure with all the research you are doing, though, you will help your son find the perfect course for him - you've got 12 months to get up to speed and visit all the various institutions - which you will need - especially if you plan for your son to take the BMAT as well - it's frightening how many institutions there are for a maximum of just 4 choices! My son took a brutal and philosophical approach to selecting his 4 - we genuinely left him to it - I will support him by being the wheels but believe, if he does make it into medicine, he has to get used to making his own decisions right from day 1, so best he starts now, as I won't be there doing it for him! You have to do what works for you, though, and if it is you doing the research and him doing the work to get the grades, then that is your role! Good luck - it's a tough trek - where even the very best candidates on paper get cut before they start!

Apologies OP for taking your query off track - bottom line is no 4 is not necessary adn I would query why the school feels it is, as it is at odds with what Universities are saying - and no child should be forced to do it. I still don't buy the needing more to do breadth - the IB exists for that and most of the kids we know doing 3 have a jam packed extra curricular side which allows them to do all sorts of other things without needing to formally "study" them.

[Moderators]

This is going round in circles because there is no right answer. Universities have different criteria for selecting.
Therefore this thread is locked