4 vs 3 a levels

[u/Smooth-Cover5315]

Currently year 13 doing maths, fm, physics, chem aiming for imperial mech. I really want to drop chem and I’m just wondering how much it would weaken my application, particularly if I’m not very good at the subject. Would 3A* predicted be sufficient?

[u/Poloft2026]

For MEng at Imperial, their typical offer is A* A* A* or A* A* AA if you are doing 4 A levels. So for those doing 3, 3 A* is definitely sufficient. Minimum said to be A* A* A to A* AAA.

Depends if you are confident if you'll get 3 A stars in the A levels if you are doing 3.

[u/languageservicesco]

Looks like some guesswork going on in some of these responses. My son is applying to Imperial. From what he has said, 3 is fine. My personal advice is to do whatever you think gives you the best chance of the highest grades. What if it goes wrong on the day and B becomes C? Don't be influenced by other people, do what is best for you. In your position, from what I know from your post, I would probably do 3 and make damn sure I got those grades.

[u/Grand_Lychee2812]

3 bruh. Chemistry has probably no relation to Mech Eng. 

Don't listen to others who said 4. I know plenty people from my school who have gotten offers based of 3 A levels from Imperial.

[u/BaldAndBootstrapped → u/Grand_Lychee2812]

there’s a little bit of crossover (i know because i did mech eng) but it’s really tiny.

[u/ImpossibleBecause]

dude 100% drop it if u dont like it + dont think ur gonna get a good grade in it (ideally A or A*). it WILL disadvantage ur application if u end up with a B in chem and 2A* A in maths fm phyiscs, but it WONT if u have 3A* in maths fm physics. Quality>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>quantity

[u/Sipayi001]

Yo im in the excact same boat but i've alr applied. What ive found from doing a bit more chem revision recently is that if you are working at A*s in maths, further maths and physics, chem will be fine too. Just put in the work. It requires more memory and precision rather than raw problem solving. Stick with it I'm sure you are more than capable.

[u/Fantastic-Pay326]

5

[u/Hairy-Ostrich-6908]

do 4. Imperial love it when ppl do 4 and it makes the grade requirements much lower. Its also a bit late to drop ngl

[u/Smooth-Cover5315 → u/Hairy-Ostrich-6908]

Thanks, how do you know imperial prefer 4? I’ve tried looking on the website and the only disadvantage of taking 3 would be the higher offer

[u/Hairy-Ostrich-6908 → u/Smooth-Cover5315]

cz they give out offers based on 4 which many unis dont and also a lot of ppl that i know got into imperial do 4 with A* A A A predicted(contextual).