Is doing 4 A-Levels worth it?

This is a question nearly every Year 12 student thinks of at least once in their sixth form career, and it is one that I get asked regularly by my students.

I began my A level studies with 4 A Levels and quickly dropped down to 3. I began sixth form being scared that my 3 slightly unconventional A Levels (Biology, Chemistry and Psychology) would set be back and make me a weaker counterpart compared to my competitors, most of which had 4 (or even 5) ‘hard science’ A- Levels for a Cambridge course.

When it got to offer holder day, some those people who had ‘stronger’ A-level choices to me sat without a Cambridge offer, whilst I did. That was when I realised there was much more to university applications than just the number of A-Levels you take. The amount of interaction, effort and care you put into each A-Levels shines brighter to the admissions office and your interviewers than the actual subject name on a computer.

So in my personal opinion, I would say that you don’t “need” to have 4 A-Levels BUT if you enjoy each of your A-Levels, spend the first few weeks of sixth form experimenting.

Go to each of your classes.

Do all of the homework set with the same amount of effort.

Spend the same amount of time revising for each subject.

See what the subject is actually made of.

The subjects you were good at in your GCSEs are not necessarily the subjects you will enjoy (or do well in) for your A-Levels.

This biggest thing to remember when taking 4 A-Levels is that your time now has to be split between an extra A-Level.

If you time management becomes hard and you are spreading yourself too thin, have a think about whether or not your extra A Level is needed by your university and course.

If it does help with your application, have a real think about why you are taking an extra A-Level; is it because you enjoy doing 4 A-Levels or is it because doing 4 A-Levels sounds better than doing 3?

I would much rather see my students get AAA with 3 A Levels than AABB with 4.

So if you have started Year 12 and are worried than you have chosen the wrong path with 4 A-Levels, stick it out and see how it goes.

If you are managing perfectly fine with 4 A-Levels, that is great and you should keep doing what you’re doing. If the workload is getting too much, seriously consider dropping one.

If you would like more help with your decision, or working on your A-Levels, send us over a message and we would be happy to help!