Pre-Med Prereqs vs A-Levels Cambridge System

[macfan101]

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Are the pre-med prerequisites (Gen Chem, Intro to Bio, Physics and Organic Chemistry) harder than the A-Level exams, given in the same subjects, offered by Cambridge?

If not harder, would you say both are equally as difficult?

 

[gettheleadout]

Prereq's taken where? The "difficulty" of a course, whether that be the scope of content, complexity of exams, leniency of the grading curve, or whatever, is variable between schools in the U.S. Are A-level exams given at Cambridge standardized across professor and semester? What sort of comparison are you looking for?

 

[sam500]

Are the pre-med prerequisites (Gen Chem, Intro to Bio, Physics and Organic Chemistry) harder than the A-Level exams, given in the same subjects, offered by Cambridge?

If not harder, would you say both are equally as difficult?

A-levels are the exams given at the end of the British Junior and Senior year of high school in England.

I took my A-levels a decade ago back in Cambridge, England as it happens. However, they're not administered by Cambridge, they're administered by the Midlands Education Authority or some such.

Perhaps you mean the S-levels. Special, additional exams required for college entry to the University of Cambridge and Oxford. Those are administered by Cambridge.

A-levels are easy (on par with with an American pre-req at the university level). However, THEY WILL NOT BE VERIFIED BY AMCAS and thus won't count towards your pre-reqs for American medical school.

S-levels are the hardest exams I've ever taken in my life (besides the International Math Olympiad finals). I took the Math level 2 and 3 S-level though, which was probably masochistic of me. They are more difficult than any american graduate exam, but again, THEY WILL NOT BE VERIFIED BY AMCAS so it doesn't really matter.

If you want to practice medicine in the states, you should just go to an American University. I wish I had.

 

[Thego2guy]

A-levels are the exams given at the end of the British Junior and Senior year of high school in England.

I took my A-levels a decade ago back in Cambridge, England as it happens. However, they're not administered by Cambridge, they're administered by the Midlands Education Authority or some such.

Perhaps you mean the S-levels. Special, additional exams required for college entry to the University of Cambridge and Oxford. Those are administered by Cambridge.

A-levels are easy (on par with with an American pre-req at the university level). However, THEY WILL NOT BE VERIFIED BY AMCAS and thus won't count towards your pre-reqs for American medical school.

S-levels are the hardest exams I've ever taken in my life (besides the International Math Olympiad finals). I took the Math level 2 and 3 S-level though, which was probably masochistic of me. They are more difficult than any american graduate exam, but again, THEY WILL NOT BE VERIFIED BY AMCAS so it doesn't really matter.

If you want to practice medicine in the states, you should just go to an American University. I wish I had.

My ego/confidence/self-image just dug itself a 50 meter hole, and barricaded itself there. Congrats, you have made me more neurotic.

 

[macfan101]

Prereq's taken where? The "difficulty" of a course, whether that be the scope of content, complexity of exams, leniency of the grading curve, or whatever, is variable between schools in the U.S. Are A-level exams given at Cambridge standardized across professor and semester? What sort of comparison are you looking for?

I am just asking that if that taking The prereqs at a US institution vs taking A-levels at some Uk school; who would have the easier year.

 

[sam500]

My ego/confidence/self-image just dug itself a 50 meter hole, and barricaded itself there. Congrats, you have made me more neurotic.

Have confidence in yourself.

Plan on multiple failures along the way, but also on ultimate success.

Be competent and friendly in everything you do. Both are necessary.

Love your life and don't let anyone get you down or convince you that life isn't awesome.

Read Rudyard Kipling's poem "If" and own it.

 

[sam500]

I am just asking that if that taking The prereqs at a US institution vs taking A-levels at some Uk school; who would have the easier year.

A-levels are British high school.

US pre-reqs are taken at the college level (unless you mean high school AP courses).

If you are in high school it doesn't matter (UK or US). I got plenty of US interviews coming from England.

If you are in University, go to the country where you want to practice medicine. If you want to practice in the US, go to a US school. I went to the University of Cambridge for undergrad and found it very difficult applying to American medical schools because AMCAS DOESN"T VERIFY YOUR INTERNATIONAL UNDERGRADUATE COURSES.

If you just want to know difficulty level, not many people have done both and so can't comment.

In my opinion, A-levels (UK high school) is on par in terms of difficulty with American undergraduate courses at any university (I've taught american undergrads at Berkeley and MIT). Although a couple of my mates from Hong Kong would disagree with me.
I would still prefer high school in the UK though since you don't have to deal with the "American High School Culture." Blargh.

 

[macfan101]

A-levels are British high school.

US pre-reqs are taken at the college level (unless you mean high school AP courses).

If you are in high school it doesn't matter (UK or US). I got plenty of US interviews coming from England.

If you are in University, go to the country where you want to practice medicine. If you want to practice in the US, go to a US school. I went to the University of Cambridge for undergrad and found it very difficult applying to American medical schools because AMCAS DOESN"T VERIFY YOUR INTERNATIONAL UNDERGRADUATE COURSES.

If you just want to know difficulty level, not many people have done both and so can't comment.

In my opinion, A-levels (UK high school) is on par in terms of difficulty with American undergraduate courses at any university (I've taught american undergrads at Berkeley and MIT). Although a couple of my mates from Hong Kong would disagree with me.
I would still prefer high school in the UK though since you don't have to deal with the "American High School Culture." Blargh.

I totally agree with you on that one!

 

[macfan101]

Have confidence in yourself.

Plan on multiple failures along the way, but also on ultimate success.

Be competent and friendly in everything you do. Both are necessary.

Love your life and don't let anyone get you down or convince you that life isn't awesome.

Read Rudyard Kipling's poem "If" and own it.

How can I plan to fail? I don't plan to get anything below an A- and you're asking me to fail???