A choice between sciences and arts subjects can easily cause confusion for parents and students. Read this blog to find out how to choose easy A Level subjects from Noon’s A Levels experts.
There are over 80 A Level subjects offered by Cambridge for AS/A Levels. You can choose from a wide range of easy A Level subjects that best suit your career goals, capabilities and interests. However, a major determining factor will be the availability of teaching and academic resources and support.
You can continue studying the subjects you took in O Level or take new ones. However, students are generally advised to pick easy A Level subjects with a sufficient understanding of the syllabus, marking schemes, and cumulative candidates’ grade thresholds for previous years.
Here is an overview of key factors to consider choosing A Levels subjects in Pakistan.
Choosing A Levels subjects in Pakistan
Your choice of subjects in A Levels will determine whether you qualify for a specific university for admission in an undergraduate degree program. However, many students aren’t aware of the exact career pathway to choose. Here are some ways to choose A Levels subjects in Pakistan.
The Russell Group recommendation
Russel Group represents 24 world class universities in the UK. To broaden your career choices, it suggests keeping any two of the following facilitating subjects (required by most universities) from the A Level subjects list of the Cambridge International.
- Biology
- Chemistry
- English Literature
- Geography
- History
- Physics
- Modern and classical languages
- Maths and further Maths
Schools usually offer these easy A Level subjects in Pakistan. Students need to keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive. So the students should not misunderstand these to be the only subjects that top-level universities are looking for.
Use A Levels Explorer Tool by UniGuide
The A Levels explorer by UniGuide is an interactive search tool to find which science and arts subjects can help you join several undergraduate studies at universities. Do make sure to check with your school to find about A Level subjects Pakistan.
Use The New Informed Choices tool
The New Informed Choices is a great interactive tool by Russel Group to help students find out about the subjects they would want to take. This initiative is especially designed for students in disadvantaged countries which lack access to knowledge about universities.
Science or arts subjects? Ask a school counsellor
Choice of subjects comes with a natural anxiety. That’s because you are stepping towards a milestone in your life that will determine your career choice and lifestyle. A counsellor can also help you make A Level subjects combination.
A school counsellor can help you learn relaxation techniques and discover your strengths and weaknesses. Here are some examples of how a school counsellor can guide you through:
- You may not be fond of doing a desk job, so you can exclude the subjects that lead you to one, such as accounting.
- You may be fond of experimenting with electrical gadgets at home. The counsellor might suggest considering science subjects with practical applications.
- You may not be willing to trade anything with a classical book, so the counsellor might suggest you consider literature.
Check university websites and campuses
Students are encouraged to visit the websites or campuses of the universities they wish to join. We suggest making a list of universities instead of focusing on only one. This flexibility will save you from taking undue stress while applying for admissions and you will always have a plan B!
While checking for universities, make sure to visit dorms (if you will require accommodation), measure commute distances, weigh out the financial aspects of the degree programs, and make a fairly informed decision.
Once you have picked at least three universities, take a look at their programs and the subjects required for admission. So, by working backwards from university to A Levels subjects, you might be heading in the right direction.
5 easy Cambridge A Level subjects and scope in Pakistan
Here is an insight into easy Cambridge A Level subjects and related career pathways in Pakistan:
#1 Mathematics
A Level mathematics engages students in working with mathematical information, as well as the ability to think logically and independently, consider accuracy, model situations mathematically, analyze results and reflect on findings.
Career destinations in mathematics
- Education sector
- Investment banking
- Finance and accounting
- Civil service
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Medicinal statistics
- Research and data analysis
#2 History
In A Level History, students study both historical knowledge and the skills required for historical research. Students develop an understanding of cause and effect, continuity and change, similarity and difference, and use historical evidence as part of their studies.
Career destinations in humanities
- Non-profit organisations
- Government and human development sector
- Civil service
- Education sector
- Private sector leadership and management
- Research and development
- Counselling and human resource
- Writing and publishing
#3 Chemistry
In A Level Chemistry, the syllabus includes theoretical concepts, current applications of chemistry with an emphasis on advanced practical skills. While chemistry may not classify as an easy subject for students with an inclination towards humanities, it is still a great learning experience for students with interest in science subjects.
Career destinations in chemistry
- High technology innovative companies
- Government or private laboratories
- Research sector
- Educational institutions
- Quality testing departments
- Environment management
- Research scientist
#4 English literature
If you have an interest in languages and literature, A Level English literature is a great addition to your academic learning. In English literature, students study a range of texts in the three main forms: prose, poetry and drama. Texts included in the syllabus are offered from a wide range of different periods and cultures.
Career destinations in English literature
- Non-profit organisations
- Government and human development sector
- Education sector
- Private sector leadership and management
- Research and development
- Counselling and human resource
- Writing, editing, and publishing
#5 Biology
If you are a biology enthusiast, you can definitely take A Level biology. The emphasis in biology is on the understanding of concepts and the application of biology ideas in different contexts as well as on the acquisition of knowledge. A Level biology course also encourages creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
Careers destinations in biology
- Zoology
- Nursing sector
- Pharmaceutical sector
- Research and innovation
- Therapy and counselling
- Education sector
- Medicinal statistics
Tips to make combinations of easy A Level subjects
- The task of choosing subjects becomes much easier when you are certain about your career choices. For instance, students who want to become an engineer, a computer scientist or a doctor have straightforward choices.
Similarly, if you want to become a social scientist or an expert in liberal arts, taking sociology, history, and languages might become the easiest A Level subjects for you.
- We suggest that you can explore more subjects in A Levels instead of taking similar courses. For instance, business and economics are closely related subjects. You might find them to be the easiest A Level subjects, but weigh out the ease of taking similar subjects with the university requirements.
- Weigh out the challenge and ease of subjects. If you can take a bit of a challenge then take a subject combination that will open up more opportunities for university admissions. For instance, if you think you do like studying literature but it might add a challenge for you that you can manage, then go for it!
Tips for getting an A* in A Levels
- All students study from the coursebook and teachers’ notes. Toppers and distinction holders also use the teacher’s guide! It provides more detailed info on each aspect of the topic. A teacher’s guidebook will also help you understand concepts in a different way, thus making you more confident of what you are required to know.
- Make concise notes and mind maps on each topic.
- You should also make separate notes for all sub-topics. For instance, if you are studying Sociology then make notes on all the sociologists, statistics and arrange the notes topic-wise. The statistics, evidences, and understanding of sociologists are very important as they push you into the A* band.
- Make sure you use all the past paper materials provided by your school. This requires a consistent effort from the very beginning as you start to understand the assessment objectives. Don’t settle for anything less and go for as many past papers as you can get.
- Read examiner reports carefully. They provide crucial info on where students have gone wrong in previous years. Compare all the examiner reports and figure out how the assessment objectives can be met by you.
- Take the mock exams and past papers seriously! Attempt as many mocks as you can, whether offered by your school or academy.
- Time-management is the key to a good grade. Taking mocks under strict time constraints is the only way to perform under exam pressure.
- Examiners want to hear your perspective in some papers. Therefore, building up your knowledge and your ability to showcase it in an intelligible way will get you an A*.
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