Can anyone give me some information on studying in Britain?

Question

hi:) i am spending the next two years at a British Independent School- 12th and 13th grade

I know i am supposed to take exams after the 12th and the 13th grade.Do the marks i get from the 12th grade exam influence my diploma? And when applying for a university do they matter?

Could u also tell me wheter the subjects i choose to take the first year can be the same the second year?

thanks a lot in advance

Answer 1

You can take a maximum of 6 subjects in your first year (depending on how clever you are- most take 4/5) and then you drop down to 3/4 in your second year.  First year exams are called A/S levels and the second year exams are called A levels.  You have to take the first and second year exams to obtain an A level, so you will have to continue with some of your first year subjects into the second year as you will need at least 3 A levels to get into uni. e.g:

First year: French, maths, chemistry and physics

Second year: French, maths and chemistry= 3 A levels and 1 A/S level.

The grades you get at each level are awarded points and these points determine the courses you will be accepted for.

My advice is pick your subjects to study for your first year (with the intention of continuing some into the second year) and not worry about university applications until you start studying.  You don't apply to university until the beginning of your second year and it would have been explained to you by then.

Hope that helps- it's actually quite hard to explain in a written message!  Jess

Answer 2

In Year 12 you usually study 4 subjects, at the end of the year you have exams in each. Your grades will influence your university options.

You then choose 3 out of the 4 to carry on with (you drop one) and do your a levels in year 13, these are even more important.

These grades will determine whether you get into university or not, but you can always retake and reapply.

A levels (in year 13) are more advanced levels and your AS's, which you take in year 12.