Hardest A-Level Subject: What Really Tops the List?

Maths, Physics, Chemistry, or maybe even Further Maths—ask around and you’ll get different answers for the hardest A-level. Turns out, it’s not a simple poll. Your own strengths, teachers, and even your school’s style play a big role. Still, some subjects come up in nightmare stories more than others.

Don’t rely on guessing games. If you want to know what drags down the average grade or spikes the most panic, it helps to look at actual exam data and real student experiences. Did you know Further Maths and Physics show up again and again as the trickiest, not just because of boring stereotypes, but because the pass and A* rates lag behind?

If you’re torn about picking subjects, knowing what you might be up against is just practical planning. This isn’t about shying away from a challenge, but about deciding whether you’re ready to commit to the level of grind certain A-levels demand. Trust me, your year will feel different depending on what you pick.

• Why Subject Difficulty Is So Debated
• A-Level Subjects With the Toughest Reputations
• What Makes a Subject ‘Hard’ Anyway?
• Student Stories and Surprises
• Beating the Odds: Survival Tips

Why Subject Difficulty Is So Debated

So, why can’t everyone agree on the hardest A-level? It actually makes sense if you think about it. Some students find *Maths* easy because they’ve always loved numbers. Someone else might totally freeze up over calculus but ace History essays every time. Personal strengths, interests, and even learning styles mess with the idea of a single, universal challenge.

Schools shake things up, too. Not every school teaches A-levels the same way. Better resources, passionate teachers, or even class size can make a subject feel lighter or heavier. You can read online forums where students argue for hours about which teachers make hardest A-level “not that bad.”

The exam boards also throw in some chaos. For example, the AQA exam board’s Chemistry papers are known for unpredictable questions, while Edexcel’s can feel more straightforward. That means you and your mate at a different school might be sitting totally different types of exams for the same subject name.

Let’s not forget the pressure from parents and universities. Choices get hyped up because everyone’s focused on what “looks good” on applications. That kind of talk makes it feel like some A-levels are ‘hard’ because they come with different rewards or consequences, not just because of the material.

Finally, there’s the group chat effect—everyone exaggerates. Horror stories about failing Practical Chemistry or panicking in Further Maths exams spread fast, and suddenly, whole year groups start believing some subjects are impossible when really, it depends on loads of factors you won’t see on a ranking chart.

A-Level Subjects With the Toughest Reputations

Ask anyone who’s been through it—some A-levels just have a reputation for making students sweat. Straight up, hardest A-level debates usually include Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry, and sometimes English Literature. It’s not about rumor; stats and results back this up. In 2023, according to Ofqual, the percentage of A* grades given in Further Maths was 20.8%, which sounds great until you realize the content is way thicker and students are mostly those already top at maths. Physics and Chemistry lagged behind, with less than 15% of students bagging an A* in Physics.

Further Maths has almost legendary status for complexity. You’re not just memorizing equations; you’re solving multi-step puzzles that can feel endless. Chemistry? That subject can flip from simple recall to complicated organic reaction pathways before you can blink. Physics piles on with mind-bending concepts and tricky math at every turn.

What about English Literature? It doesn’t seem hard until you spend hours breaking down texts, writing essays with tight deadlines, and trying to read between lines that barely make sense. Students mention the sheer volume of reading and the expectation to have “original insights” in every answer.

"The difficulty of A-levels, especially subjects like Further Maths and Physics, isn’t just about memorizing facts. It’s thinking in ways you probably haven’t had to before," says Sara Webb, a sixth form lead teacher in Manchester.

Other toughies? Computer Science, Biology, and Modern Foreign Languages all have followers claiming they’re the hardest, especially if you’re not wired for the specific mix of skills these demand—like coding fluency, scientific vocabulary, or rapid-fire translations. If a subject’s content is unrelenting, and the marking unforgiving, its reputation as a nightmare grows.

What Makes a Subject ‘Hard’ Anyway?

You’ve probably heard people say “Maths is impossible” or “Biology is all memorization,” but what actually makes one A-level feel harder than another? It’s not just about how much stuff there is to learn.

One key factor is the jump in complexity. A-levels take topics further than GCSE, not just making you remember more, but actually understand and apply things in new ways. Subjects like Further Maths or Physics aren’t just longer—they twist your brain in ways most subjects don’t. One minute you’re solving equations, the next you’re figuring out real-life applications, and if you miss a step, you’re lost.

Another big deal is the exam style. Essay-based subjects like History or English Literature throw you into the deep end with open-ended questions. There’s no single right answer, and marks depend on your ability to argue, analyze, and link ideas. For a lot of people, this is way tougher than ticking boxes.

Then there’s the workload. Chemistry, for example, is infamous for long practicals and endless calculations. Art and Design can swallow hours with coursework. So when you’re weighing up ‘hardness,’ think about how much time you’ve actually got in a week—and how much you’re willing to give up.

One more thing to keep in mind: access to good resources and teaching. A tough subject can feel twice as bad if your teacher isn’t great or if there aren’t practice papers lying around. It’s not just the subject—it’s the support you get.

• hardest A-level subjects often mix tough content, tricky exam formats, big workloads, and high expectations for independent study.
• Your learning style matters. Some people thrive on numbers. Others get headaches just seeing an equation. It’s about how you click with the way the subject is taught and tested.
• If you’re not sure, check actual grade stats (these are public info on each board’s website). Lower grade boundaries or a high dropout rate usually point to a harder subject experience.

So before you choose, think about all these angles—not just which subject your friends find scary.

Student Stories and Surprises

So, what happens when real students hit those A-level brick walls? Scroll any study forum and you’ll see people swapping horror stories about endless chemistry equations or trick questions in maths. There’s one thing everyone agrees on: the highest drop-out rates almost always show up in hardest A-level subjects like Physics, Further Maths, and Chemistry.

Here’s a quick look at how some subjects stack up for students in 2024:

If you ask around, you’ll find Physics students groaning over past papers where the answer is one mark short just for missing an obscure step in the working-out. Chemistry fans talk about having to memorize lists of organic reactions, only to blank in the exam hall when one random rule comes up. Then there are the Further Maths folks, who admit you can’t fake it—you need to understand, not just memorize.

And here’s something not everyone expects: sometimes, it’s the essay subjects like History or English Literature that throw people off. Why? There’s no “right answer” to aim for, so you might write your heart out and still get a B. Some students find the uncertainty more stressful than straight-up technical challenges.

The biggest surprise? Loads of students pick a subject just because they were good at it at GCSE, but A-level is a big step up. The gaps in your knowledge get a lot wider, fast. That’s the most common ‘gotcha’ people wish someone told them.

Beating the Odds: Survival Tips

If the hardest A-level has your stress levels up, you’re not alone. But it’s not all doom and gloom—loads of people crack these subjects every year. What’s their secret? Smart, tactical habits and knowing exactly what matters in each subject.

Let’s be real: the top-scoring students aren’t always geniuses. They’re good at using these strategies:

• Practice past papers non-stop: No shortcut here. Scour the exam board’s website for every real past paper from recent years (and their mark schemes!). The patterns actually repeat more than teachers admit.
• Don’t just memorize—understand: Especially with subjects like Physics and Chemistry, just cramming definitions gets you nowhere. Focus on why things work. There’s a reason so many A students draw diagrams and talk through concepts like teachers.
• Start revision early and steadily: Ever heard of the student who crammed all Easter break and still got a C? Ouch. Weekly revision from autumn actually works better and prevents that meltdown before exams.
• Find a good study group: A group chat where people share resources or quiz each other works wonders. Turns out, explaining stuff out loud fixes it in your brain way faster than silent reading.
• Don’t ignore examiners’ reports: These are free online breakdowns where examiners spill the most common mistakes. Honestly, it’s like being handed the teacher’s answer key.

If you’re curious about how tricky some A-levels rank based on actual stats, here’s a quick look at recent grades (data from 2023):

Notice how Further Maths and Physics have much lower pass rates compared to, say, English Lit? That alone shows why students call them the hardest A-levels. But here’s the flip side: those high grades aren’t impossible if you tackle things early and stay consistent. If you run into a topic that just won’t stick, ask your teacher for different resources—or try YouTube explanations. Sometimes, a totally new voice makes things finally click. A-levels are brutal, but with the right moves, you’re never totally out of your depth.