<p>I'm an international student, and I go to a British school in my country. I want to apply to a university in the US. I'll be completing my IGCSE's this year, and I will start my A-Levels next year. I know that it's a two-year programme, but I'm going to try to complete it in 1 year. Does completing the A-Levels in a 1 year put me at a disadvantage compared to those who do it for two complete years? Or, on the contrary, does it make me a more competitive candidate for a US school?</p>
<p>You’re only at a disadvantage because you’ll have less time to study everything in depth. It might make you a little more competitive, but I don’t think it matters that much, depends on what you’re taking. </p>
<p>EDIT: Also, when applying you won’t have your AS level grades to send, and all you’ll have are predicted grades. I don’t think that’s too fortunate.</p>
<p>Why do you want to do A-levels in one year?</p>
<p>You should complete it in two years. That way, you’ll have a better chance of getting good grades in your AS .</p>
<p>In my school, there are 11 grades instead of 12 (A-Levels aren’t mandatory, so you only stay for the 12th year of you’re taking them). I’m going to be the only one in my class who is going to take the A-Levels, so everyone is going to leave after year 11. Pretty much I don’t want to be stuck in high school for another year without any friends. I talked to the Head of High School and he agreed to let me do it. If I just work extra hard, and I’m pretty sure I can do it. I know it sounds stupid but I really hate high school and the idea of being stuck here while the rest of my class has already graduated for another year terrifies me </p>
<p>What exam board is it? Some are much more difficult than others, and if you take a subject that requires coursework, then it’s quite tricky to do it all in one year.
Some exam boards have October/November exam sessions. Maybe you could take AS Levels in May/June, study during the summer, and take your A2 exams the following November?</p>
<p>It depends. What subjects? If you’re the only student taking A levels, how are classes going to work? Are you getting individual 1:1 tuition (and will the teachers have experience teaching A levels), or being expected to self study, or to attend the standard curriculum classes and hope you cover the syllabus?</p>
<p>I want to take Biology, Maths, French and I’m not sure about the 4th class yet. All the teachers have experience teaching A levels so I’m not worried about that. Since I’m going to be the only one taking them, it’s going to be 1:1 tuition, which gives me the chance of moving forward much faster. </p>
<p>I don’t want to discourage you, but A levels are not that simple. I recommend that you at least take 18 months rather than taking in 1 year. </p>