A Levels will be one of the most frustrating and intensive periods for young adults looking to progress further through their educational journey. They define a lot of children’s futures and will determine where they will head next, which is why it’s important for parents to be aware of what they will mean for their own kids. Here are some ways you can keep up-to-date with your child’s studies through A Levels.
What the A Level exams mean for your child’s future Your child will often be in a sixth form or a college to study their A Levels. The subjects they choose will be a big jump up from their GCSEs, but they’ll follow a similar process in that they’ll need to sit at least 1 exam at the end of each year. The A Level studies are also split into 2 years, of which all exams taken in this period count towards their final grades.
If your child performs well, they can go on to study at university picking the course of their choosing. Performing poorly can mean your child may have to resit their exams or enter the clearing process, which is where universities will seek places to fill their courses. While it can be a stressful time for children there are always opportunities to retake exams, and it’s not the be all and end all of their studies.
How much your child will study
At GCSE level, your child will have probably learnt between 12 and 14 subjects at a time. At A Level this is significantly cut back to 3 or 4 subjects due to the amount of depth and focus your child needs at this stage. Your child should choose wisely when it comes to the subjects they want to progress with, as they will also be taken into account should your child be applying to study at a university or college.
While your child will only be studying 3 – 4 subjects now, it doesn’t mean that the amount of content they study decreases. A Level exams are some of the hardest exams your child may face, which is why they only need to put their focus on a handful of areas.
What about grades?
GCSE grades are set using a number scale, but A Level exams follow the traditional A* – U scale. For universities, the better the grade, the more points your child will get the better their chances at landing a place in particular courses. Exams are usually held between May and June, giving students plenty of time to focus on revising and preparing.
*This is a collaborative post