English or Maths A-Level?

Former Member

I'm in a bit of a pickle at the mo and its this:

English or Maths AS/A Level?

I've put my name down for Maths, but now I realise I hate it and am going to do crap at it.
Whereas ont he other hand, I really like English and I think I can do really well at it.
Can I hear from people who are doing/have done both and their verdict.
Even if you're doing/have done one of them.

Former Member

Well I'm not a number person at all, and I wanna be a journalist so I went for english lang/lit A-level. I'm glad I chose it, the only problem is the teacher but that's another story!

I'd say do whatever you think you'll do better at. English is actually really interesting and useful <IMG SRC="smile.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Former Member

I started the year doing English combined and Maths. I found that english was intresting, but gets abit boring in places. I think that most people can get a decent mark if you put a bit of work in.
Maths on the other hand is pure evil. For the last 2 years half the AS group failed. I dropped out after 3 months because it was just to hard (I got a B for GCSE). The teacher also said that I had no chance of getting a grade. If your a maths genius and you enjoy it you should do it. If your not you've got to put in a lot of work to even get a grade.
Good luck and remember, I've warned you!! <IMG SRC="biggrin.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Former Member

If your finding your maths hard now, I suggest you dont do it at A-level because it gets much harder!

<IMG SRC="confused.gif" border="0" ALT="icon"> <-- me in a maths lesson


I took it for A level cos i loved Maths GCSE. I really stuggled and had to work my butt off to actually end up with a C, which was after countless resits!


As Another Statistic said, it is "pure evil" <IMG SRC="frown.gif" border="0" ALT="icon"> <IMG SRC="eek.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Former Member

I did English Lit at A-level and started 2 year AS Maths. After my first year, I was getting a D in it, despite working harder on it than my other courses - French & Psychology. So I dropped it in my second year and took up AS Classics, which I didn't love, but it was infinitely better than Maths.

Former Member

You should definately do the course you enjoy the most, there should be no other reason for doing A-levels or a degree.....

Former Member

It is essential that you undertake a course which you enjoy. If you do, you are more likely to be motivated to study, to do the in-class work, and to attend lectures, which should result in good grades.

If, however, you choose a subject which you are not interested in, then it is probable that you will put revision off in favour of your preferred subjects. Furthermore, you may adopt a 'could not careless' attitude and you may be regularly absent. In other words, it is possible that you will not put total effort into your work, which may affect your results.

I recommend that you sit down and consider your strengths and your weaknesses in terms of both English and Maths. Does your preferred course at university, or your ideal future career, require one more than the other? It appears, based on your post, that you are particularly interested in English, so it seems wise to study that subject and not Maths.

Former Member

it also depends on the kind of caree you are looking at doing? english is probably the most widely used and useful but maths is needed for specific degrees etc. i got BC for english at GCSE and im doing english A2 at the mo. im finding it interesting but really tough. i work my arse off but its quite hard to get decent grades. i got a D at AS which means this year ill be getting a D or E <IMG SRC="frown.gif" border="0" ALT="icon"> the AS/A2 system is shit

Former Member

I'm doing English Lit for AS (and will do it for A2 next year) and I love it <IMG SRC="smile.gif" border="0" ALT="icon"> It's a lot of work but it's great and NOT just because I fancy my teacher!!

<IMG SRC="tongue.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

From what I know maths at AS is pretty difficult, my friend got an A at GCSE and a D on the last AS module <IMG SRC="frown.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

I'd recommend English.

Former Member

I did a Maths A level. (back in the day - before all this AS/A2 malarkey).

It is A LOT harder than GCSE Maths. I did no work at all for GSCEs and got an A, but doing the same amount of work at A level I barely scraped a C.

I really should have done English (I'm on a writing degree now...) I didn't cause I'm stupid, and hated Literature, and our college didn't offer straight English Language.

But seriously, I'd go for the one you enjoy more...

Former Member

was in the same predicament! however i chose english but i think no matter which way u look at it, all A levels are gonna be hard! my sis did maths at A level and she got a B in it. but she is so bloody clever. its so damn unfair! my dad's a brainbox 2 and then there's me. well the words are "i suck at every subject!"
spoke to english teachers tho and they sed it's not too bad. speak to teachers and get their opinion as to whether u'd be able to handle the course! <IMG SRC="biggrin.gif" border="0" ALT="icon"> <IMG SRC="biggrin.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Former Member

Wello, you say you hate maths and you would fail it. I got an A at GCSE, and found it really easy. At A-level it really is very hard, so I wouldn't advise it to anyone who wasn't A/B grade at gcse.

English I don't take, but I know it involves lots of essays... depends what rocks your boat. <IMG SRC="wink.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Former Member

Originally posted by legal junkie:
<STRONG>I did a Maths A level. (back in the day - before all this AS/A2 malarkey).
It is A LOT harder than GCSE Maths. I did no work at all for GSCEs and got an A, but doing the same amount of work at A level I barely scraped a C.</STRONG>

Hmm, this AS/A2 stuff really has me confused too - is it like A and AS levels?

Anyway, I was in the same situation and didn't know which one to choose. After doing a couple of weeks of A-level maths I realised that I missed English Lit cos that was actually my fave subject. After a bit of begging at another school I managed to swindle it so that I could do both (timetable clash at my school) which was a HUGE mistake. I worked my ass off at Maths and only came out with a D (despite getting an easy A at GCSE) and just enjoyed myself at English and came out with a B. Where's the logic in that?

Another thing to take into consideration is the teacher that you will have. One of my maths tutors was pure crap and after much complaining he was removed from the school ... unfortunately it was that little bit too late for our class's marks!!

I didn't even learn after that though because I came to Uni to do a degree in English and Maths ... what was I thinking. After passing first year with flying colours (God knows how) I went on to fail second year (even after resits) and so never plan on doing anything mathematical ever again.

Do what you enjoy but take into account what you plan on doing with the rest of your life.