• which of your AS subjects you have enjoyed the most
• which subjects are likely to give you the highest grades
• whether your chosen universities or colleges ask for specific subjects at A2
• what are the grades or points requirements for your chosen higher education courses.

Your teachers or lecturers will be able to give you predicted grades for your subjects. Look at reference books, university and college prospectuses and websites to get an idea of the grades or points required.

Key Skills

Most A Level courses enable students to provide evidence of Key Skills in Application of Number, Communication, and Information Technology. If you are not studying Key Skills, make sure your Personal Statement includes examples of ways in which you have demonstrated these skills through school and out-of-school activities. To find out what universities and colleges say about Key Skills and their place in the selection process, look at the entry requirements section of the entry profile for each university and college on the UCAS website, www.ucas.com, or check the institution’s own prospectus or website.

AS Qualifications

Once you have completed enough AS units you get a qualification result. At this point you need to decide whether to accept or decline an AS Certificate. This is called ‘cashing in’. You have to request this if you want it, and you have the option of not claiming an AS Certificate after the first 3 units.

Cashing in your AS units has important implications for your final grade and entry to higher education.

Your school or college may have a policy on cashing in AS Levels, so talk to your tutors and lecturers about this.

For more detailed guidance, look on the Joint Council for General Qualifications (JCGQ) website: www.jcgq.org.uk. Go into Publications, and open the document called 'Procedures and Rules (Entry, Aggregation and Certification)’.