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Hello,
Have googled and AI'd this but can't find the answer so I was wondering if others know or had a similar experience.
Situation is
Son took his AS exams this year and got lower than he expected/wanted which means he is highly unlikely to get into the uni's and courses he favours.
School wouldn't allow him to retake the whole year (as he passed, if failed everything he could) so he has the option of retaking them in May next year followed two weeks later by his A-level exams. Our view is that is a huge a amount work and pressure for him.
So question is if he takes just his A-Level exams as planned (June 2026) and the resit his AS exams the following year (June 2027)?
We have discussed a foundation year instead but he's not keen (mainly due to the cost associated with it)
Any thoughts?
Thanks
Sack off the college and start an apprenticeship?
No-one wants an underachieving AS student. Sorry. In his boots I'd resit the exams right now and then walk away regardless of how well I did.
I’m 99% certain when I did my AS / A levels (caveat, it’s been 20 years) that my uni applications were done on a combo of ‘here’s what I got and here’s what I’m predicted’. It’s not a AS + A = result job I don’t believe. I’d be more inclined to apply, if you don’t get offers, do the A levels then have a year off and re apply based on actual grades not predicted?
AIUI Once he's taken the second year and full 'A' level in that subject, he no longer that AS, he just has the A level. The AS only exists if you just take the first year and don't proceed with the A level in the subject. Whether or not this year's AS marks count towards his A level depends on the subject and examination board, if it modular like most STEM subjects are, the best course of action to get an improved grade depends how the modular marks are combined and how well he thinks he could do in reality, with either one year or both years' assessments done together. How much is continuous assessment versus exam? And how well does he think he'll do revising for twice as many exams? It's a risky strategy. If he really wants to go for better University courses and can demonstrate why he needs to go to Uni then he's probably best just doing the A level (A2) this year, work his ass off to get the best possible marks, don't apply this yr because of 'predicted' grades, plan a good year off - work for money, work experience possibly voluntary, travel, work for money - and apply once he has his (excellent) grades and some real world experiences. But really fundamentally, as others have said, this is a good time to take a breath, work out what he really wants to do in life, and take the opportunity to reevaluate what the best path to get there is.
My partner 'flunked' A levels because he didn't work particularly hard and was extremely lucky back in the day that engineering was undersubscribed and universities took more time on applicants and read the teacher statements / recommendations carefully, so he got in anyway after a year's break. University was the right place for him and he flourished there. So tell him don't be put off. But do really consider if it's the best route to where he wants to be.
As above the forget the AS levels. Work hard and get good A-levels. It’s very rare to do AS levels at the moment
I would apply to university this year, for a few reasons, even if the predictions are poor.
Firstly the school will make sure the reference is done and help with the application. If you need to re apply a year later then everything is in place
Even with low predictions you might still pick up some offers for course that need higher grades
If you are in the system you might be able to find something in clearing
FYI I’m a teacher in a sixth form college
I did this - got a B in Geography at AS, then resat the exam the following spring with all my A level exams (which included the extras of AS and A level General Studies, so a total of 6 exams sat at once). It was fine, the extra stress and pressure was minimal and I got straight As. I'd not worry about leaving it an extra year, just let him get on with it.
FYI i don’t know of any current AS levels that contribute to your A-level grades
Ah yes my knowledge is well out of date. So the actual grade this year doesn't matter if he continues to the full A level, where he'll do a set of final.exams for the whole syllabus. So there really isn't any point in resitting AS exams because he'll get the A level based on next summers exams. It is only the predicted grades this year that is a possible problem. Given you've spoken to the teachers have they given any indication of predicted grades or UCAS stuff? Good luck with the decisions.
The two schools my girls went to ditched AS levels - I think because they were a bit pointless. Anyway, given the OP's sons AS result, he needs to think whether his chosen career path is the right one. Maybe he had a bad day but maybe it's just not for him ..... A levels are harder than AS.
Harsh but true.
It’s very rare to do AS levels at the moment
At the moment? It was very rare to do AS Levels when I sat my A Levels 25 years ago. They were regarded as GCSEs with good PR.
Thanks for everyone's response some really good insight. We have had the "is university right for you" discussion but he wants to go. I have looked at that reform link, thank you and I now realise I should of said we are in Wales so under WJEC which is different to England and Scotland (who knew, not me). The school have been a bit useless providing advice and guidance on the actual processes (what he can and cannot do), so thanks for your inputs.