Waiting for AS results is always a stressful time; solid AS
results are so critical to the choices available for A2 and university offers.
With the introduction of new AS courses in September, those in Year 12 have an
even more complicated set of decisions to make this year.
Many schools require a minimum level of pass grade at AS to
qualify a student to proceed to A2. In previous years the option of resitting
an AS level alongside A2 courses, or even resitting the whole of Year 12, were
a good option for many. But with new specifications coming on-stream, this is
not such a straightforward decision.
Students in maintained schools no longer have the option to
re-sit Year 12 as the funding has been withdrawn. Many students in independent
schools will find themselves in a similar position. This might mean that a
total rethink of academic and career options is required, including the
possibility of pursuing a vocational or apprenticeship route. I have known many
students over the years who have switched to a BTEC or similar programme and
proceeded very successfully to university.
Those wishing to re-sit individual modules or AS courses
have a much more complex decision to make. Many subjects will be based on
completely new specifications, with the new AS becoming a stand-alone
qualification which does not count towards the full A level. It is likely that
most students in this situation will simply have to proceed to A2 and re-sit
individual modules without the benefit of being able to sit in on AS lessons.
Some students will simply not have the AS grades they hoped
for to present a strong case to their chosen universities about their potential
at A2. My advice here is not to panic; the university sector is changing
rapidly, making many more options available to students. Good advice from your
HE adviser is crucial here as many doors might remain open with the right advice.
It certainly isn’t easy being 17 these days! But with the
right advice, the options available are better than ever. So don’t panic on
results day. Be proactive and get good advice.
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