Stick to FSC or switch to Alevels?

greyfreak19

Active member
Nov 13, 2014
302
1
24
Punjab,Wah
AOA, So I'm not exactly in a good situation here... I failed in Urdu and Maths in my finals (Federal Board) and finished my supplementary exams a little over 2 weeks ago. now I have to look at a colleges and start studying since I'm already 2 months behind everyone else in college. When I was looking at colleges I out of curiosity looked at A levels and It's subjects, I could be wrong here but you only need to take 3 subjects in A Levels? I wanna do my studies in computer's and doing Urdu, Islamiyat, Pakstudies in ICS is something I need to do but not something I want to do. I'm okay with doing maths along with computers and English. My grades right now aren't that good due to carelessness in the past few years around my studies.

So what i want to ask is.

1) Can I even switch to A Levels from Matric?
2) Will I be able to pick Maths, Computer, English as my 3 subjects or is it going to be different?
3) If the above 2 questions are a yes, Do i need to know anything else about A levels?
 

murtaza12

Global Moderator
Global Mod
Oct 27, 2011
10,721
121
69
AOA, So I'm not exactly in a good situation here... I failed in Urdu and Maths in my finals (Federal Board) and finished my supplementary exams a little over 2 weeks ago. now I have to look at a colleges and start studying since I'm already 2 months behind everyone else in college. When I was looking at colleges I out of curiosity looked at A levels and It's subjects, I could be wrong here but you only need to take 3 subjects in A Levels? I wanna do my studies in computer's and doing Urdu, Islamiyat, Pakstudies in ICS is something I need to do but not something I want to do. I'm okay with doing maths along with computers and English. My grades right now aren't that good due to carelessness in the past few years around my studies.

So what i want to ask is.

1) Can I even switch to A Levels from Matric?
2) Will I be able to pick Maths, Computer, English as my 3 subjects or is it going to be different?
3) If the above 2 questions are a yes, Do i need to know anything else about A levels?
1) No idea.

2) Yes you can.

3) FUCKING STUDY.
 

mianali

Intermediate
Sep 4, 2017
177
0
11
Coming from someone doing A level atm
A level is hard AF ...stick to FSC if ure not good at understanding, Fsc is ratta

And btw if u want to opt computer science u'll have to do olevel (basic course) first ....as you won't understand programming etc


Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
 

greyfreak19

Active member
Nov 13, 2014
302
1
24
Punjab,Wah
1) No idea.

2) Yes you can.

3) FUCKING STUDY.
Alright...

Coming from someone doing A level atm
A level is hard AF ...stick to FSC if ure not good at understanding, Fsc is ratta

And btw if u want to opt computer science u'll have to do olevel (basic course) first ....as you won't understand programming etc


Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
I actually suck at doing rattas and I don't have any issues grasping concepts. I try to avoid doing rattas because I'm lazy af (more then half the reason why i failed in the first place). Learning concepts and making up my own sentences rather then just memorizing the answer is much easier for me personally.
As for the basic stuff in programming unless they make it mandatory I won't need to take it I have enough knowledge on my own as of right now and if something does come up that I didn't know there is always google.
Because by the basic stuff in computers before programming the book would contain what? Some info on computers, how they work and the things that make up the computer itself? as for programming related stuff I've read my cousins O Levels computer book and there were just some basic concepts on how to go about making a program kind of like practices. And I'm all good on that.
 

spitfire99

Intermediate
Nov 27, 2011
112
0
21
Islamabad
Ok, so firstly, people like to say that A-Level is all about concepts and that you can't do well without properly understanding the course material. This is true to a great degree and definitely more so than what you'd be doing in Fsc, but in my experience (Phy, Chem, Math, Comp-Sci), only Physics is actually truly conceptual. The rest of the subjects do involve conceptual understanding but in case of Math and Chemistry, the exams closely mirror previous papers. The questions are never same but many of them are usually similar.

Secondly, you're right about the Computer Science stuff. It's not particularly difficult and you don't really need to have taken its O-Level equivalent, though it certainly helps. Do however, take a look at the syllabus http://www.cambridgeinternational.org/images/202725-2017-2019-syllabus.pdf

I'm not sure about your subject combination though. I certainly don't remember anyone having such a combination in my school and I think you're probably going to have to take Physics in place of English, though you should confirm this.

Now, don't for second think that having to do only 3 subjects will make it easy. Easy is not part of the equation when doing A-Levels. You need to be focused from the start and especially so in your case since you need to make sure you adapt quickly.

Make sure you understand your course material and work hard. Don't be too lazy and hopefully, you'll be fine. Also, check out this site for the Comp-Sci stuff. O/A Computer Science
 

greyfreak19

Active member
Nov 13, 2014
302
1
24
Punjab,Wah
Ok, so firstly, people like to say that A-Level is all about concepts and that you can't do well without properly understanding the course material. This is true to a great degree and definitely more so than what you'd be doing in Fsc, but in my experience (Phy, Chem, Math, Comp-Sci), only Physics is actually truly conceptual. The rest of the subjects do involve conceptual understanding but in case of Math and Chemistry, the exams closely mirror previous papers. The questions are never same but many of them are usually similar.

Secondly, you're right about the Computer Science stuff. It's not particularly difficult and you don't really need to have taken its O-Level equivalent, though it certainly helps. Do however, take a look at the syllabus http://www.cambridgeinternational.org/images/202725-2017-2019-syllabus.pdf

I'm not sure about your subject combination though. I certainly don't remember anyone having such a combination in my school and I think you're probably going to have to take Physics in place of English, though you should confirm this.

Now, don't for second think that having to do only 3 subjects will make it easy. Easy is not part of the equation when doing A-Levels. You need to be focused from the start and especially so in your case since you need to make sure you adapt quickly.

Make sure you understand your course material and work hard. Don't be too lazy and hopefully, you'll be fine. Also, check out this site for the Comp-Sci stuff. O/A Computer Science
As far as maths goes of course it won't be just conceptual i mean it's maths as for computer science i will of course give the O-Levels syllabus a read through aswell.

Now to the subject combination i'll see if i can take English otherwise physics it is. and as for the easy part well be it easy or hard my main goal here should be to give it my best regardless otherwise no matter ICS or A Levels my results won't end up good. For the first few weeks it will require me to adapt a little bit as i go but considering how i never really studied in matric all that much and haven't really gotten used to that all that much either.

Now comes the one question that i still need answered. Can I even switch from matric to A Levels? Is it possible?

If it is i wanna get my books and start right now instead of wasting another two weeks. This time around I wanna build a proper studying routine instead of just studying a month or two before the exam.
 

Kronos865

Active member
May 19, 2013
308
1
23
Rawalpindi
I dont know about the specifics but you can definitely switch from Matric to A levels. I've a few friends who've done so. That being said, A levels is HARD. You'll need to study from Day 1 everyday consistently especially if you're not familiar with the Cambridge system.
Your subject combination is a bit odd, and I'm quite certain you'll have to take Physics instead of English. You should look up the eligibility criteria of the universities you want to apply for and confirm which subjects they require for their CS program. Mostly its pre-engineering subjects (Phy, Chem, Math) that allow you to apply for any engineering field, but to my understanding with Phy, Math and CS you can ONLY apply for CS. So bear that in mind in case you want to keep your options open.
You can manage math since it doesnt really require much from O levels apart from the basics. O levels CS is dumb easy so its not mandatory to have studied that either. A levels CS is a different ballgame; it certainly requires alot more effort. You may have some trouble with physics though. I dont know how it is in Matric, but O levels physics conditions your thinking quite a bit and I realized how important that particular mode of analysis proved to be in A levels.
Personally I think you should stick with Fsc. There are a few people I know that came from Matric, took 4 subjects in A levels, and got straight As. But those are the exception. MOSTLY, people find themselves giving retakes because the difficulty turns out to be higher than anticipated. Heck, alot of kids that get straight As in O levels end up with Cs in A levels. The jump is pretty big. Not an impossible one to make, but pretty darn challenging nonetheless.
If you have any more questions feel free to ask.
 

greyfreak19

Active member
Nov 13, 2014
302
1
24
Punjab,Wah
I dont know about the specifics but you can definitely switch from Matric to A levels. I've a few friends who've done so. That being said, A levels is HARD. You'll need to study from Day 1 everyday consistently especially if you're not familiar with the Cambridge system.
Your subject combination is a bit odd, and I'm quite certain you'll have to take Physics instead of English. You should look up the eligibility criteria of the universities you want to apply for and confirm which subjects they require for their CS program. Mostly its pre-engineering subjects (Phy, Chem, Math) that allow you to apply for any engineering field, but to my understanding with Phy, Math and CS you can ONLY apply for CS. So bear that in mind in case you want to keep your options open.
You can manage math since it doesnt really require much from O levels apart from the basics. O levels CS is dumb easy so its not mandatory to have studied that either. A levels CS is a different ballgame; it certainly requires alot more effort. You may have some trouble with physics though. I dont know how it is in Matric, but O levels physics conditions your thinking quite a bit and I realized how important that particular mode of analysis proved to be in A levels.
Personally I think you should stick with Fsc. There are a few people I know that came from Matric, took 4 subjects in A levels, and got straight As. But those are the exception. MOSTLY, people find themselves giving retakes because the difficulty turns out to be higher than anticipated. Heck, alot of kids that get straight As in O levels end up with Cs in A levels. The jump is pretty big. Not an impossible one to make, but pretty darn challenging nonetheless.
If you have any more questions feel free to ask.
Well with that possibility of switching to A-levels being confirmed and that I'll probably have to take Physics instead of English. My next step is going to be looking at both FSC and A-Levels Courses, Syllabus and Books and then I can just go from there whichever I personally would find easier or rather would want to study more than the other.

A-Levels CS might be a different ballgame but hey if I do it it's not like all my time will be in vain. And it would be good to go past the point of just fucking around with anything I can on my computer, router and pretty much anything else that has a GUI that lets me change a few options. I wanna go a bit further like learning how to program or at least enough to fiddle with some more stuff. I tried doing python for a week overall it didn't seem that hard the syntax was quite easy to grasp then I had originally thought but I find it a bit hard to stick to things even if it's something I wanna do. And I don't have a problem if A-Levels CS is harder. (Matrics Computer was a joke.)

As far as grades go my grades aren't really that good right now and regardless of FSC or A-Levels I need a lot of work, I just wanted to look into this so if I feel more comfortable studying in A-Levels why shouldn't I? After that getting those As isn't really my target here, My main purpose here is to go into a system where I'll be more comfortable studying and If I prefer it more then the other. After that Hard Work is a must if I wanna do anything and if I do manage to work hard the skills that I'll gain in the end will be worth it.

And I haven't really considered anything about University as of yet. I might look into it a little bit as to how many options will I have with each system and the subjects I choose.

Lastly, you mentioned Software Engineering and Computer Science and I don't quite get the difference in these two fields? My brother is in his last semester of Software Engineering and as of a couple of weeks ago I didn't know that Computer Science was also a thing in Uni. Do you mind explaining the difference?
 

spitfire99

Intermediate
Nov 27, 2011
112
0
21
Islamabad
In my opinion, go for A-Levels. It's better than FSc in almost every way and even if it SEEMS more difficult, take it as a challenge. You'll be getting a more well-rounded education and if you can afford it, then why hold back. Plus, Computer Science in A-Levels is pretty dope. I'm nearing the end of my 3rd semester in FAST and I can tell you, it briefly touches a lot of concepts that you'll later be revisiting in Uni. As for the difference between CS and SE, CS is focused more towards the science behind computers and theory and stuff while SE is geared more towards just coding. However, both degrees have pretty much the same courses, at least in Pakistan so the difference is minimal.
 

Kronos865

Active member
May 19, 2013
308
1
23
Rawalpindi
Well with that possibility of switching to A-levels being confirmed and that I'll probably have to take Physics instead of English. My next step is going to be looking at both FSC and A-Levels Courses, Syllabus and Books and then I can just go from there whichever I personally would find easier or rather would want to study more than the other.

A-Levels CS might be a different ballgame but hey if I do it it's not like all my time will be in vain. And it would be good to go past the point of just fucking around with anything I can on my computer, router and pretty much anything else that has a GUI that lets me change a few options. I wanna go a bit further like learning how to program or at least enough to fiddle with some more stuff. I tried doing python for a week overall it didn't seem that hard the syntax was quite easy to grasp then I had originally thought but I find it a bit hard to stick to things even if it's something I wanna do. And I don't have a problem if A-Levels CS is harder. (Matrics Computer was a joke.)

As far as grades go my grades aren't really that good right now and regardless of FSC or A-Levels I need a lot of work, I just wanted to look into this so if I feel more comfortable studying in A-Levels why shouldn't I? After that getting those As isn't really my target here, My main purpose here is to go into a system where I'll be more comfortable studying and If I prefer it more then the other. After that Hard Work is a must if I wanna do anything and if I do manage to work hard the skills that I'll gain in the end will be worth it.

And I haven't really considered anything about University as of yet. I might look into it a little bit as to how many options will I have with each system and the subjects I choose.

Lastly, you mentioned Software Engineering and Computer Science and I don't quite get the difference in these two fields? My brother is in his last semester of Software Engineering and as of a couple of weeks ago I didn't know that Computer Science was also a thing in Uni. Do you mind explaining the difference?
Well if you have an aptitude for all things tech, then I can certainly recommend you to go for it. And yeah you'll develop a foundation for Uni, which is always a plus.
SE and CS are more or less the same, except according to my research a CS degree fairs slightly better when you go out job hunting. Both focus on software development. Theres another program offered called Computer Engineering, which includes both computer hardware and software courses. Though apparently here in Pak it isnt a particularly lucrative degree.
Thats the difference between CS, SE and CE. The semantics can be kinda confusing xD
But the general consensus is that CS > SE > CE
Also, you should really research Unis a little. It'll help you give a clearer goal to prepare for and you'll know what to do next as you near the end of whatever stream you decide to go with.
 
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