Sixth Form Guide - The Importance Of The Lower Sixth Year And AS Levels
A Level is now divided into two halves, with all students preparing for AS Level examinations in the Summer Term of the Lower Sixth year, and for A2 Level examinations in the Summer Term of the Upper Sixth year. Tonbridge Lower Sixth formers begin AS courses in four subjects in September, and sit three examination papers in each of the four subjects during the Summer Term of 2008 - usually a total of twelve papers, though in some subjects the number of unit exams is reduced because of the considerable coursework component. The results achieved on these AS papers are of critical importance since they will add to your existing GCSE profile. They will also have a very significant bearing on your eventual A Level grade in 2009 and so effectively determine your range of university options.
Your results in the AS papers will not be entered on your UCAS form, (which you will complete in the Michaelmas Term of 2008). Universities make conditional offers on the basis of your predicted A Level grades. There is provision to re-sit AS modules in the Summer Term 2009 (or in exceptional circumstances in January 2010) and you should speak to Mr Pearson if you feel your results could be better. If however, you were to have gained excellent AS grades your housemaster will be able to mention them in the reference he will write for your UCAS form.
The speed of adjustment to the pace and style of AS examination work in the Lower Sixth naturally varies from individual to individual. The work will be more demanding than at GCSE, and there will be plenty of it. You will not have very many study periods in a 60 lesson cycle, and so you will find yourself very occupied with academic work, both during the evenings and over the course of a typical weekend. You must therefore adjust very quickly to these facts of life in September, for you will rapidly discover that the key to academic success lies in commitment, organisation and momentum.
The Michaelmas Term accounts for about half the teaching time in the AS Level year, and the eventual outcome of your AS examinations is in large part dependent on the study habits that you develop in this first term. You will need to establish a systematic work strategy in the very first fortnight of term, and one that enables you to apportion your study time sensibly and fairly. So you must return to school in September determined to tackle your new AS courses with vigour and imagination, and equally intent on developing effective study skills and habits. You should be in no doubt that the Lower Sixth year is, by some margin, your most important year at school; it lays the foundations for the Upper Sixth (A2) year, provides you with the opportunity to develop a range of skills, and determines your university options.
There are two Parents Evenings in the L6th Year. The first is in the Lent Term and is devoted to your initial progress in your four AS subjects. In the Summer Term, a Universities Evening for both boys and parents will offer advice on choosing your degree course, your university choice and the UCAS application process.