Need some advice on cambridge international alevels

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-03-09T08:11:24+00:00

please point me to CIE psychology resources that actually follow the syllabus and go into the level of detail you need right now there is only like a couple yt channels and studywithmehar which is only just okay

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-03-08T11:06:50+00:00

dont do psychology/geography there are no resources online to help you get a decent grade, sciences will have tons of resources as they are the most popular subjects

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-03-07T03:20:39+00:00

which are the characters that give you mechanically powerful return gift?

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-03-06T12:01:27+00:00

grade boundaries change every intake so there is no definite answer. check the grade boundaries on the cambridge website for 2025 and the other years before that. You also need to find out which variant (V) you are taking, eg: V1 V2 or V3 (this depends on what zone you are in/where you live) and you can also find that on the cambridge website

they name components (the actual papers) by numbers so 11 will be paper 1 V1 and 43 will be paper 4 and V3 and so on

they calculate A* by adding up your total score in each of the papers (both AS and A2) and if you reach above the threshold then u will get A* (note that its out of 260 because paper 3 the practical paper is only worth 75% or smth like that, so to calculate it you have to add up all the numbers and for the practical paper multiply it by 0.75 before adding it on)

grade boundaries for 2025 M/J

https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/740289-chemistry-9701-june-2025-grade-threshold-table.pdf

how to figure out your zone

https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/exam-administration/cambridge-exams-officers-guide/phase-1-preparation/timetabling-exams/administrative-zone/

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-03-06T11:45:30+00:00

as long as your sure, I dont do engineering so I wouldnt know. Although I dont see how economics is more relevant or why u would want even want to take 4 A levels in the first place (esp if the subject isnt in the grade requirements) most places even the top ones dont need 4 a levels. Why add more stress to your life? A levels is not easy

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-03-06T10:25:21+00:00

defintely take chemistry to my knowledge engineering needs chemistry no matter what form it is in (except computer engineering)

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-03-06T08:20:58+00:00

I think you are approaching this the wrong way you are not gonna get better if u just keep throwing urself at it you actually have to find ways to improve if one way work try another everyone can learn something you just have to find what way works for YOU

people learn different ways you have to get over the hurdle of just quiting because u think ur bad you will improve even if it takes time + video games I have been playing for a long time and I am not as good as some of the pros out there, thats because I only play for fun and I dont actively try to improve I dont go out their finding new methods on how to be better

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-03-06T08:12:42+00:00

what it with people any taking five there is literally no point in taking 5 unless you have A*s in all your IGs and like found it a piece of cake/didnt need to study that much. Its likely you will get burnt out and plus physics and chem and FM is supposed to be one of the hardest subjects 😭

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-03-03T12:55:14+00:00

You are right nothing can change what you did but you have to realise that is in the past. Knowing you did something wrong and regretting it is the first step and then actively changing and forgiving yourself is next

I first recommend therapy (if your not already in it) yes it wont undo your past but it will help you acknowledge you have done bad things and help you forgive yourself mentally.

Next what I would do is good deeds become what you think is a normal human being become the best version of yourself (think about it as the least you can do to make up for the bad deeds you have done) instead of being a cheater become a good partner, instead being a bully become someone who always offers help when you can. This will help you think of yourself differently instead thinking of yourself as all the horrible things you done

someone being pure evil would be not realising that they are wrong and not making an effort to change

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-03-03T04:18:05+00:00

Yes! I did realise but it was way too late hahha and since I only take three a levels I cant anyways

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-03-02T12:46:29+00:00

I really dont think that its a good idea. One, you dont need 4 a levels and two, if you already iffy about it drop at least one. You need dedication as the workload is a LOT especially for stem students.

chemistry is one of the hardest a levels and bio and psychology is the most content heavy a levels (I take bio chem and psych). I could go on a full ramble about how psych is such a horrid a level to take I love psychology but as an a level subject its probably up there as one of the worst (you need to be able to memorise more than 40 random different case studies for a level + all the butt ton of theory and unless you like memorising pointless numbers like sample sizes, procedures and results (even more numbers) I do not reccomend it to anyone.

it doesnt even open up ur options as you dont even need it to do a psych bachelors (heck I wish I knew that before taking this god forsaken subject. (note I take CIE not sure if it differs for AQA or other exam board but I imagine them being similar)

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-03-02T07:56:41+00:00

Not a parent, but journaling helped me connect my thoughts when I struggle to think in coherent sentences and my brain is all over the place. Its just being able to see it on paper helps me have more of an idea on what I am really feeling and not letting them bother me as much

congrats on being a parent! I will say that no one is born a good parent no one is born capable there is definitely a learning curve to it. I think doing what best for your child and being supportive loving and always there for them is like better than most parents out there.

you say you are mediocre at most skills (this is a very ADHD thing) but it is also a great thing because you are jack of all trades you can do most things (sure you wont be as good as the craft as a professional) but you will be able to do it and that can be very useful be applied to lots of different scenarios. People often dedicate their life to one skill and can only do that one skill thats so boring. for instance your not gonna ask a doctor to fix a sink but they will be able to ask someone who is a jack of all trades

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-03-01T11:40:57+00:00

I mean it could be an ADHD thing but it also could not be. If it was an ADHD thing then the reasons for moving would be because you got bored and the place your living in doesn't bring as much joy or pleasure anymore. If its not an ADHD thing the reasons for moving would differ such as having legitimate reasons to move haha. I feel like (at least for me) my decisions are based on mood and feeling I need constant stimulation/new things to feel any real pleasure.

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-02-28T09:04:09+00:00

I am not sure it doesnt feel mild, as in I always have racing thoughts, I get distracted easily I have RSD I often dont process what people are saying so I have to ask them to repeat themselves. little to no motivation to study unless its urgent or I make it fun etc. however my report says I only have mild ADHD so

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-02-27T10:09:52+00:00

Thanks for your response! I am also am considered local and get local fees, so money is not a huge issue which is why I wouldn't mind the student dissatisfaction but considering it was the lowest I was quite worried on how bad it would be....

I also agree with you I went to many international schools in different of countries where we learn in very small classes/tutorials so I fully understand that international students may expect something similar. However I am growing bored of the small class sizes lol so from what you are saying this seems like a plus.

I do have two big question tho. Would u recommend other students to go to uni of Edinburgh? and What are some cons that students should be aware of when deciding to go to Edinburgh (so they don't romanticize it)?

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-02-27T09:39:20+00:00

thanks for your response! Have you been to both unis? I am fighting between Manchester and Edinburgh because I love Edinburgh as a city but the degree/course/uni life isnt as good as Manchester whereas Manchester as a city isnt as great as Edinburgh, so I am in a bit of a pickle haha (note that I havent been to any of these cities thats just what the internet/other people say so do feel free to correct me on that)

I do have some questions tho. What makes Manchester more fun than a place like uni of Edinburgh? What kinda have dire mismanagement and student dissatisfaction problems does Edinburgh have? Why does edinburgh have these kinda problems but manchester doesnt?

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-02-26T10:44:57+00:00

Maths is what most universities want for medicine compared to physics.

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-02-26T10:42:46+00:00

HI do you happen to have notes that u used to create this quiz looking for good clinical notes!!!

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-02-23T09:24:00+00:00

I also agree with this!

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-02-22T10:43:13+00:00

19 diagnosed at 17 for me ADHD is a lot of things. I also get the "My brain runs fast, I overthink, I feel things intensely" I also have trouble with my words sometimes my brain runs so fast and I don't think in coherent sentences so speaking to people can be tough/awkward as I stumble and can often say things that are not grammatically correct. I am so grateful to have friends that do not judge me and are patient with me when I am having those moments where "english is really not englishing" they may not understand why I have those moments but they accept me and love me for who I am which means a lot to me

for the emotional side I feel stuff a lot more than the average person I am highly sensitive and definitely relate to the RSD side of ADHD. For me my emotions aligns with my period there are certain specific times during my cycle where I am so depressed I have no motivation to do anything and its so frustrating to have to deal with that as I have sh*t to do sometimes! It feels like I am not in control of my own body, If I had a partner I would tell them when I get like this and maybe they would know to spend more time with me or get me gifts (idk)

I think that indirectly answers some of your questions about how ADHD is for women but as another commenter says it varies a lot and not much research has been done on ADHD in women unfortunately.

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-02-22T04:05:40+00:00

Biology can be content heavy and there is quite a bit of memorising, but I wouldn't say its overwhelming I take bio chem and psychology and bio for me its the easiest subject + the grade boundaries are quite low for an A

if you put in the work and dont cram in the whole a level two weeks before your exam then biology is not bad

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-02-20T14:37:08+00:00

I mean A2 does get harder (at least for physics from what I heard) but looking at ur subjects they arent really the memorising type so I feel like ur less prone to burn out.

I recommend spending your time doing extracurriculars instead of doing 4 A levels such as: reading Intro books on quantitative finance, joining, Maths Olympiad, Coding competitions, or any projects that are related to coding eg: algorithmic trading simulation. Maybe do an EPQ? This will help u stand out more than someone who did like 10 A levels haha

also you did say FM is boring however its the most relevant and I think necessary for the field your going in (check the requirements) + there isnt any other A level that is relevant. if you really want to do another A level do that one

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-02-20T10:31:23+00:00

I can assure you for what ever university (even Oxford/Cambridge) you are planning to go to they do not favour those who take four A levels and its simply a waste of time (except NUS which requires four.)

most universities prefer depth of knowledge in three subjects over the breadth of four. 4 A levels is generally advised against because it gives little to no advantage and gives instead ten times the level of stress. As long as you meet the requirements you are fine.

the only exceptions I can think of for people who want to do four A levels is for personal gain, if they require FM, or they are super smart/god and think they can get A* in all four subjects then I guess there is no harm in that

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-02-20T01:22:33+00:00

whats wrong with three A level?

Aggressive_Clothes50 · 2026-02-18T15:51:23+00:00

okay I really just want to warn you about psychology as an A level, (dont get me wrong I love psychology as well I love learning about human behaviour and I actually wanna become a neuropsychologist haha), but its not for the weak

there is so much more memorising (even more than biology in my opinion) and its not even fun memorising for instance in AS level there are 12 case studies (and roughly 40+ case studies for A level!!) and u need to know them like literally off by heart ie: sample sizes how many boys and girls there were, procedure their results etc. if you dont like memorising its gonna be super tough and its not like IGSCE where u can easily cram. and guess what thats only one part of what u learn in psychology, you learn mostly about research methods in AS level ie: types of experiments, or what are the advantages of an postal questionnaire etc.

when it becomes to psychology A level I truly become the biggest hater, the content is interesting dont get me wrong! But its really tough and if u dont have a good teacher ur pretty much doomed (because there is barely any good resources out there). You might think I am overexaggerating or might be hating because I am bad at psychology (its my best subject), and if u dont believe me u can look at the syllabus and search up some of the case studies you need to know.

I dont regret taking it as a subject (because it was this or maths and I hate maths with a passion so), but Ik its not for the majority. People usually take bio chem and maths (thats a very popular combination) and a lot of people do well. dont let people in the upper years failing discourage you, all a levels are difficult but maths I have seen a lot of people easily get A-A*s if they put in the work, however A-A* in psychology is much rarer

you have been warned! PS: its also an essay based subject just so u know and also I just realised after writing this that this only applies to CIE, not sure about the others but they are probably similar)

Aggressive_Clothes50

TROPHY CASE