MyTeacherToolsIf your child’s looking to do A levels at sixth form or college, they will have the option to study up to a maximum of four subjects (or fewer if they decide to also do a BTEC). At this stage they will be studying at level 3 and the qualifications that they work towards will help them in securing either a place at university or a job in the real world so they will need to make their choices wisely and work hard. If you would like to learn a little more about A levels and how you can support your child through them, this guide is for you.
This post is in collaboration with a top A Level college in the UK.
Making the Right Selection
A levels are far more challenging. There’s more content to be learned and independent study to complete which is why it’s important that they are ones that they will enjoy and need for the future. An easy way to make sure of this is to look into each of the courses themselves and what they entail. Something that you both can do by taking a look at college prospectuses and attending open days. Careers sites are also good as they lay out the different career paths that they will need to take to secure their dream job.
How Much Independent Study Is Required and What Should It Involve?
A levels are there to prepare children for university and one of the ways in which they do this is by encouraging them to be more independent as opposed to just relying on their teachers. For every hour of class, they will need to spend at least one hour revising or reading around their subject.
How Are A Levels Assessed?
They are exam based. If your child prefers course work, they may benefit from completing BTECs instead.
