There are a few options available to young people over the age of sixteen who want to take A-level and other higher education exams. Many schools do not provide sixth form study programs, and so many students find themselves trying to decide if they should stay at their current school or move on to sixth form college. There are a number of advantages, as well as disadvantages, when it comes to options for continuing study.
When deciding where to study, there are a few questions to ask yourself: Can you and your family afford the costs of an independent college? Are you willing to travel far? What do you want to study? Is there anything you want to specialize in? Where can you go to study what you want to study? Some sixth form colleges specialize in subjects and provide study options that others do not.
You might want to continue studying two or three favorite subjects such as Geography, Math or English at A-level, particularly if you have achieved high grades in them at GCSE. You might also be aiming for a particular career that needs certain qualifications or an apprenticeship. However, not everyone is sure about the path they want to take, and this can be a good opportunity to start something new, especially if the course does not require previous experience.
If you opt to remain as a sixth former at your school, you will probably earn more privileges and a higher degree of freedom than those students who are behind you. Independent study is strongly encouraged. The method of instruction will depend entirely on the place you choose, and can vary widely between each school or sixth form college. Some favor classroom lectures while others prefer a more hands-on approach with practical workshops. Even testing methods are different, and may include a continuous assessment over the term or one all-encompassing exam at the end.
When researching which sixth form college is right for you it is important to look at class sizes as well as the student success rate. You can apply to several different colleges at once and attend their open days to see what each place is like. Each sixth form college has a different application deadline and, as competition for places can be fierce for popular courses, you may want to start applying in the Autumn term to make sure that you will get in.
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