[UK] AS and A Level Choice guide.

AS and A Level Choice:

Future careers guide the choice of specific subjects

  

Research by Cambridge Assessment Center

COMBINATIONS OF SUBJECTS

The reason that was rated as ‘very important’ for most students when asked how they combined their subjects was ‘required combination for future career’, given by 40% of the students. Being ‘the required combination for a degree at University’ was rated as very important by 34% of students.

The least important reasons for choosing a particular combination were ‘wanting to have a mixture of science and arts/humanities subjects’, ‘the combination fitting well in the timetable’ and ‘being advised to choose the combination’.

Other reasons students gave for choosing their combinations of AS subjects included:

                        My subjects would give me both skills and knowledge

                        I wanted to keep my options open

                        Wasn't sure what I wanted to be when older so I chose the subjects I liked

                        I chose the courses because I enjoy being creative

                        I wanted subjects that complemented each other well

                         

Reasons for choosing a combination of AS/A2 subjects and their importance given by students who completed the survey (1 – ‘Not at all important’ to 4 – ‘Very important’)
Reasons	% Rated 1	% Rated 2	% Rated 3	% Rated 4
Required combination for future career	12.4	17.0	30.7	39.9
Combination for degree at University	18.3	20.2	28.0	33.5
Fitted well in the timetable	51.4	21.9	16.6	10.2
Advised to choose the combination	46.2	29.1	18.1	6.7
Mixture of science and arts/humanities	55.5	18.2	14.7	11.6
Mixture of new and traditional subjects	43.3	22.5	21.9	12.3
Did not think about the combination	21.0	20.2	23.8	35.0

 One of the aims of Curriculum 2000 was to broaden students’ experiences and to discourage early specialisation. There were 4,420 different combinations of AS subjects and 1,290 different combinations of A2 subjects among the students who completed the questionnaire. Detailed analyses of the combinations of A level subjects taken for the whole population of students in England are given in Bell et al., (2005)1 and the total number of combinations was approximately 21,000 in 2001. While this illustrates the flexibility of the A level system, it also results in low incidences of uptake, even in the most common combinations. The most common combination (where these were the total number of examinations taken) was Maths, Biology, and Chemistry (3.6%), with all other combinations being chosen by fewer than 2% of the students in this survey. Detailed analyses of the uptake of A level subject groupings and the possible consequences are provided in Bell, et al., (2007)2.

SPECIFIC SUBJECTS

Usefulness for a future career featured as the most important reason for choosing subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Business Studies, ICT, and Accounting.

Specific subject choice was also heavily influenced by previous experience in the subject - being good at GCSE level featured strongly in almost every subject. However, few students were influenced by the perception of their ability in the subject when they chose Psychology, General Studies, Law, Accounting, Critical Thinking and Film Studies, as these subjects were not available at GCSE level.

Reasons relating to interest and enjoyment outnumbered those relating to ability or usefulness for a career
Usefulness for Future Career (HIGH Importance)	Interest/Enjoyment (HIGH Importance)		Ability (LOW Importance)
Physics	Psychology		Psychology
Chemistry	Sociology		General Studies
Maths/Further Maths	History		Law
Business Studies	Music		Accounting
Accounting	Drama		Critical Thinking
Economics	Art & Design		Film Studies
ICT		Media Studies/Film Studies

Full details on the impact on A level choice of ability, school type, social class, demographic factors and advice given to students are provided in the full report and in other Factsheets in this series.

1. Bell, J., Malacova, E., & Shannon, M. (2005) The Changing pattern of A level/AS uptake in England. The Curriculum Journal, 16 (3) 391-400.

2. Bell, J., Malacova, E., Vidal Rodeiro, C & Shannon, M. (2007). A-level uptake: ‘Crunchier subjects’ and the ‘Cracker effect’. Research Matters: A Cambridge Assessment Publication, 3, 19-25.

Tips for pre-examination time :)

Tips from examiners 

For no-nonsense, practical revision help, read these top 10 tips from some of Edexcel's15,000 examiners:

1. If you find that reading over revision notes just before an exam relaxes you, feel free to do so, but be aware that in most cases it could make you more nervous; any new information is not normally absorbed at this stage.
2. On the day of the exam, when you are told to turn the paper over, don't start writing until you have read the exam paper from cover to cover.
3. Mark the topics you wish to answer and concentrate on them. You should have an idea of how much time you are going to spend on each question, with the ones carrying the most marks being allocated the most time.
4. Remember that the exams are not set to trip you up, but are designed to allow you to show your knowledge of the syllabus. Be positive and have confidence in your ability.
5. Take time to consider the question. Look at where the marks are to be gained and allocate time appropriately (and stick to it). Many candidates spend too much time earning and re-earning small numbers of marks, thereby losing time for the heavier-tariff tasks. Remember, answering three questions fairly well is better than answering one very well and leaving two badly done. Underlining key words in the question may help to focus your mind and jog your memory.
6. Structure your answers by making an answer plan; writing this down will help.
7. Don't forget to refer back to the question to help ensure that you answer the question asked. The examiner can't give you marks for your knowledge and understanding of a topic if you don't answer the specific question properly. Make sure you don't answer the question you wish you'd been asked rather than the question in front of you! Try to read your answer through before moving on to the next question.
8. Concentrate on your punctuation, spelling and grammar. Remember that, while you will not be marked down for bad handwriting, if the examiner cannot read what you have written, then they can't give you the marks you deserve.
9. Try to relax, and keep an eye on the clock without checking it every five minutes. You need to leave time to complete each question and to read through your answers before the end of the exam.
10. Once you have finished the exam, don't worry about it and try to avoid comparing your answers with other students. Now the examiners' hard work begins!

Exam tips from students 

For down-to-earth, hands-on revision help, read these top 10 tips from students who have been through what you’re going through now:

1. Create a revision timetable with sensible work slots and breaks and then show it to your parents to get their agreement. Keep to this timetable! Then when your parent finds you 'not working', provided you are following your agreed timetable, no-one is going to hassle you. Parents only hassle and worry when they are not sure what you are doing, or if you do not seem to have a plan. Organise yourself well and it will help you to fulfil your potential.
2. Know where your exams are and when they start, how long they are, what equipment you are allowed to take in (for example calculators) and what you are not allowed to take in (mobiles, notes, etc).
3. Make sure you have one weekend day when you don't do revision or think about exams - you'll come back to it refreshed.
4. Tell your family about your revision time - and ask them for help if you need it - it may help make them feel useful to you!
5. Keep bullet points on crib cards highlighting main subject theories. Use these for quick revision and for reading during 'dead' times – for example, when you’re waiting for a bus. Use mnemonics - using initials of a word helps your memory.
6. Some people revise well by listening, so you could try ‘talking’ your revision and recording it onto your iPod or onto tapes. Listen to these while lying in bed, while travelling in a car, or walking to the shops. This also takes the guilt out of being out and about rather than in front of your books!
7. Ensure you eat and sleep properly. Now is not the time to diet or stay up all night. Have an early night before each exam.
8. Prepare items needed for the exam the evening before. Make sure you have the correct equipment needed for your exam (calculators, rulers, etc). Your exam invigilator should remind you of what you are and aren’t allowed before the exam starts. Taking unauthorised equipment in can get you disqualified from the exam.
9. Look after yourself during the exam period (a good routine and healthy eating!). Be sure to cut down on your weekend/evening job; most employers know that you need to commit time to the exams and revision, but often try to get you to do extra hours anyway!
10. On the morning of the exam, have a good breakfast, stay calm and allow plenty of time to get to the exam. Remember that you can only do your best and even if you don't do as well as you'd hoped, your parents still love you just as much!

Top 7 Interview Questions

Interviews are designed to test our knowledge, skill sets and attitude. While your career is at stake in an interview, preparing for an interview can often save you from a heart-burn at the interview table. Here's a list of the 7 most asked interview questions and sample answers to help you create a smashing impression in the interview.

1. So, tell us about yourself?
   
   Undoubtedly the most frequently asked interview question. It's a question that most interviewees expect and the one they have the most difficulty answering. Your answer should be in alignment with your career objective which means that you shouldn't respond with comments about your hobbies, spouse, or extra curricular activities
   
   1. Start with a brief introduction. Talk about skills that are key to the position applied for.
   Sample - During my 2 years' of experience as sales executive, I have mastered the ability to prospect, generate business leads, and motivate my team members to reach targets.
   
   2. Provide a summary of your recent work history. Keep your response limited to your current experience. Don't go back more than 2 years.
   Sample -Most recently, at The XYZ Corporation, I was challenged with turning around a stagnant territory that ranked last in sales. I developed an aggressive sales campaign that focused on winning new accounts and nurturing the existing client base. Within six months my sales team and I were able to increase sales by 40%.
   
   3. Tie your response to the needs of the organization. Demonstrate how your experience and skills are transferable to the open position.
   Sample - I have learnt about the challenges your I.T department is facing and my background in developing software for leading companies will add value.
   
   4. Ask an engaging question. By asking a question you gain control of the interview. Doing so will alleviate the stress you may feel to perform.
   
   Sample: What strategies are currently underway to reduce the employee turnover and improve morale?
2. What's your greatest strength & weakness?
   
   Highlighting strengths & accomplishments
   Use specific examples to highlight your accomplishments. Explicit numbers, results and outcomes. Generic words are meaningless unless backed by data. For example, instead of using the word "significant," use a number or percentage. Strengths that you can highlight:
   
   Committed
   Action-oriented
   Inquisitive/Curious research?
   Long term approach
   The one question candidates love to avoid is, "What is your greatest weakness?"
   
   Do not give superficial answers like "I'm a workaholic" or "I'm a perfectionist." These are boring and predictable answers and interviewers are used to hearing. They can even comeback and say, "That doesn't sound like a weakness. Now why don't you tell me about a real weakness?" So state a true weakness that doesn't have a major impact on your ability to do the job
   
   Sample: If you are applying for a non -managerial role
   "In the past, I've had some trouble sharing responsibilities with others. I felt I could do things better and faster myself. This sometimes backfired because I'd end up with more than I could handle and the quality of my work would suffer. But I plan to take courses in time management and effective delegation"
   
   "I am weak in accounts and had a tough time when I was asked to work on a project with the Finance team. I have enrolled in an online program on basic Finance to overcome this."
3. Why did you leave your last job?
   If you left your last job under less-than-ideal circumstances, you probably dread the "Why did you leave?" question that almost always comes up at job interviews. Here's how to handle it.
   
   Never lie. If you were fired, don't say you quit. A background check will reveal this lie easily. Don't say anything negative about your former boss, coworkers or company. Any negativity, frustration or anger will only reflect negatively on you.
   
   Sample - If you were fired for not adhering to a company policy.
   "I was asked to leave for violating a company policy that I feel wasn't communicated to me clearly. I should have taken the responsibility to read all of the company policies and ask questions about those I didn't fully understand. That will be the first thing I do in my next job."
   Any employer would love to hear stories about how employees take responsibility for their actions and learn from their mistakes. Make sure they understand that what happened to cause you to leave your last job was the exception, not the rule. Provide references or letters of recommendation to verify that your job performance is above par.
4. How would you……? (Problem solving question)
   
   The interviewer isn't looking for a "right" or "wrong" answer. They are more interested in understanding your thought process. Show your ability to think logically and demonstrate problem-solving capabilities by:
   
   1. Ask questions to confirm exactly what the interviewer is looking for.
   
   2. Explain how you would collect the information and data required to develop a solution.
   
   3. Tell how you'd use the information you gathered to develop and analyze alternative courses of action.
   
   4. Share your solution or recommendation, explaining how you feel it's the best option based on the info you were given
5. Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
   The aim of this question is to test your foresightedness and also gauge if you plan for the future.
   
   Stick to professional goals and aspirations while answering this question. The interviewer does not want to hear about your dream vacation that you plan to take in five years or the industry that would like to be in. Talk about company related objectives. This is an opportunity for you to show that you want to succeed in the company and are keen to create a career path there.
   
   Sample Answer: As your company has a strong performance based culture, in five years time, I see myself playing a key role in the company's marketing initiatives in the role of a Brand manager.
6. Why should we hire you?
   
   Being specific and highlighting your strengths versus the competition is the key here. Stay away from generalities like 'I am the best' or I am very hard working and dedicated" etc.
   
   Talk in quantifiable terms that will make you stand out and pinpoint the qualities you have that are truly valuable to the company. Give real examples that show them you are best-suited for the job.
   Sample Answer: In the past, I have implemented projects on attrition management helping bring down the employee turnover rates by 4%. I believe this experience of mine and knowledge will add value as employee retention is amongst your company's top priorities.
7. Why do you want to make a career in ... (Sales, I.T, HR etc)?
   The interviewer wants to learn what you know about the chosen career. Knowledge about the domain and the job shows the interviewer you are interested and demonstrates initiative on your part.

Sample Answer: I have always been a people's person and counseling is a skill that comes naturally to me. Being armed with a Master's degree in H.R, I believe a job as an H.R executive will give me an opportunity to put my natural skill sets and education to practice.

SEVEN GREAT AND UNEXPECTED TIPS ABOUT COLLEGE ENTRANCE ESSAYS

Collected by Mai Le.

1. YOUR ESSAY IS NOT GRADED BY OLYMPIC JUDGES:

College application essays are not graded like Olympics diving or gymnastics matches where you start with a 10 and lose points for every error.

The essays are not read by tyrants with red pencils, they are read by harassed admissions officers who are looking for an impression. That impression is mostly emotional. The reader of your essay is reaching an emotional conclusion about YOU, not an intellectual conclusion about your topic.

And the very best emotional conclusion that reader can reach is: "I really like this kid."

2. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ONE GREAT IDEA:

This follows from the first point. The reader of your essay is looking through the writing--and reading very fast by the way--to get to the gist of what you have done with the question. If you have repeated any one of the thousand most frequent ideas [wrestling taught me to concentrate; grandma's death taught me to stop and smell the roses; I like to help others in my community, and thus I help myself], you have not aided your cause on iota, no matter how well written, typed, and proofread your essay is. In fact, adding polish to a routine idea often makes it worse and less personal.

3. YOUR GOOD IDEA SHOULD BE A PERSONAL, SMALL IDEA:

Avoid "BIG TOPICS"-- not only the obvious big topics like peace in the Middle East, ecology, civil rights and general human nature--but also the thousand smaller versions of those BIG IDEAS which slip into an essay as a pasted on "moral". Keep your idea personal, contained and original. If you paste on a "moral"--try to make it unexpected, but somehow "right" for you.

LESS SUCCESSFUL IDEA: I was at camp when Uncle Harry died, and finding out about his life from my parents convinced me what a warm and generous man he was.

BETTER VERSION: The first time I confronted my parents in an adult way was when Uncle Harry died. I was at camp, and they didn't tell me about it for two weeks, thinking I would rather stay at camp than go to his funeral.

COMMENT: The better version is about YOU, not Uncle Harry (who isn't applying for admission) and you now have a concrete, limited, and personal story. In telling that story, the details can show the committee who you are: mature, aware and eager to grow. The "real" story of the essay is not about death, Uncle Harry, or even you arguing with your parents. It's about your success in growing up.

4. MYTH # 1: JUST RELAX AND BE YOURSELF:

The application people love to tell you this but the truth is that you have about as much chance of relaxing and being yourself while writing a college application essay as any untrained person would painting a mural or acting in a movie. Painting and acting are things that anyone can "sort of" do but which require practice and training to do well. So is writing. You have to earn relaxation. You'll start to relax when you feel secure. That usually means after you have written several drafts, and someone knowledgeable has guided you through them.

5. MYTH #2: JUST RELAX AND BE YOURSELF:

Who is yourself? We all have several selves. One for our family, one for our friends, one for formal occasions, one for when we are alone. The snapshot taken while fooling around in your basement with a Polaroid is you, and so is the picture of you as the best man in your brother's wedding. Which picture does the admissions committee want to see? It depends. You have to make a strategic decision. You should be a considered and well executed version of one of your better selves. Which self? The self which is best able to get the job done--the self which can present you as unique and passionate about something important.

6. LOVE IS NOT ALL YOU NEED BUT IF YOU GOT IT, GO WITH IT:

Any topic can be handled well, but if all things are equal, choose an upbeat topic. Write about a passion, not a doubt. Teen anxiety and cynicism are pretty tiresome to admissions officers. If you love something, and you can convey that love with detail and conviction, do it. If you are fortunate enough to really love someone in your family, and you can capture that feeling with anecdotes, dialogue, facts, images and stories--write it. If you are rare enough to love a younger sister or brother, and you can explain why, using anecdotes, dialogue, facts, images and stories--and in the same essay tell us something important about you--your chances of getting in anywhere just got a big boost.

7. The Two Effective And Simple Rhetorical Devices Least Used By College Entrance Essay Writers:

1. Dialogue:

Weak Version: Mrs. Von Crabbe, my piano teacher, taught me more than just how to play the piano. Her lessons were filled with advice that one could use in life. Even though her English was often just a little off, and her manner seemed odd, she will always be memorable to me.

Better Version: "Alex," Mrs. Von Crabbe would say, "the concert is starting even so before you sit down on the bench." She had told us the first day never to call her Mrs. Von Crabbe Apple "even with my back in the behind." But how could we? We loved and feared her too much.

Comment: Both essays could become weak essays if the only point they made was that Mrs. Von Crabbe was wonderful. The second essay, however, rich in quotation and detailed memory, has the promise of letting the reader "hear" Alex, the writer, and like him. Having the reader like you is probably the best kept secret of college essay writing.

No, you are not expected to be able to write as well as the Better Version, most professors can't do that, but remembering to directly quote the key people in your essay will put you on the right path.

2. Facts

Which one of these sentences is better?

1. I live in a suburb outside a big city where half the property is conservation land, and the other half is large plot houses.
2. I live in Lincoln, Massachusetts, a town 15 miles west of Boston, where half the property is conservation land, and the other half is large plot houses.

Comment: Both sentences are OK, but B is better. Readers are nosy, they want to know the name of the town. Do not say "my father works for a big law firm in a big city" as if you were writing a bad version of the Great American Novel and were fearful that any real details might limit the "timelessness and universality" or your masterpiece. Write: "My father works for Arnold & Porter, a large law firm in Washington, D.C."

Of course, there's always the possibility of too much detail. "Large law firm" in the sentence above could itself be "a 340 member law firm with branches in 12 cities [and you could name the cities]."

There can be too much detail, but that flaw is extremely rare in high school writing.

Những vật dụng cần thiết khi đi du lịch mùa đông

Collected by Le Quynh Mai - From forum phuot.com

Mùa thu đông gắn liền với khí hậu lạnh và những cơn mưa kéo dài. Những lời khuyên sau đây rất cần thiết để giúp bạn có một chuyến đi du lịch thật hoàn hảo.

1. Quần áo ấm là ko thể thiếu nên mặc ôm sát người 01 áo thun dài tay để giữ nhiết , sau đó mặc ngoài là áo len và áo khoác da , hoặc áo gió áo khoác có thể tránh mưa . Các bạn gái nên hạn chế mặc váy ngắn .Quần áo nên có màu sậm để tránh bị bẩn và giúp hấp thụ nhiệt cho cơ thể nhiều hơn.
2. Giày nên là giày bít , mềm mại để thích hợp cho việc đi bộ nhiều . Nên hạn chế đi giày cao gót vì dễ đau chân và trơn trượt . Nên mang khoảng 2 đôi giày là vừa . Một đôi dày không thấm nước để đi mưa và một đôi thoáng mát để đi bộ vào những ngày trời nắng ráo .
3. Nếu đi du lịch châu Âu, Hàn Quốc , Nhật Bản , Trung Quốc , Mỹ trong thời gian khoảng từ đầu thang 11 đến đầu tháng 3 , bạn nên mang theo áo ấm thật dày ( tốt nhất là áo nhồi lông vịt , mặc vừa ấm vừa có khả năng điều hoà thân nhiệt , lại không bí ) đừng quên tất dày , gang tay , khăn quàng cổ và mũ len .
4. Khi bị lạnh có thể xức dầu quanh cho ấm người , nhưng không nên xức khi đang ở ngoài trời gió vì dầu xanh khi gặp gió sẽ trở lạnh nhanh chóng . Nếu chẳng may bị nhiễm lạnh tốt nhất là ngâm chân nước nóng khoảng 10phút, dùng khăn nóng lau mặt , cổ , và tay chân.
5. Khi đến xứ lạnh bạn cũng không nên uống nước lạnh làm thân nhiệt bạn hạ xuống nhanh chóng . Nếu có thể hãy mua loại bình nước du lịch giữ nhiệt gọn nhẹ mà lại giúp trữ nước nóng lâu . ở Việt Nam hiện có bán loại bình nước du lịch Themó, dung tích 350ml giá 585.000VNĐ rất tiện lợi
6. Khí hậu lạnh dễ làm cho da bị nứt nẻ , môi khô các bạn gái nên mang kem dưỡng da tay , kem dưỡng da mặt , và son môi dưỡng ẩm để thoa trước khi ra đường.
7. Khi trời lạnh cũng không nên tắm và gội đầu bằng nước quá nóng vì sẽ làm da đầu bị khô.
8. Và dĩ nhiên đừng mang theo những vật dụng cần thiết như thuốc những đầu , đau bụng , thuốc riêng cho cá nhân bạn , băng cá nhân…