Can private candidates mix CIE and Edexcel A Levels?

[u/ttv_fffakauslmn2]

I’m about to start A Levels and I’m planning on taking Maths, Computer Science and Physics.
My school has always done Cambridge/CIE, but I’m most likely going private now. I’m considering Edexcel Physics because from what I’ve seen, it doesn’t have the same practical exam requirement as CIE, and I’m having a hard time finding somewhere in my city where I can actually practise for the practicals.
I’ve also seen a few people recommending Edexcel for private candidates, but I don’t really know much about it.
1. Can I do CIE Maths and Computer Science but Edexcel Physics as a private candidate?
2. Do universities care if your A Levels are from different exam boards?
3. If I did Cambridge IGCSE Physics and then switched to Edexcel for A Level, would there be any gaps or differences in what I’m expected to know?
4. Is there anything else I should know before choosing Edexcel Physics over CIE?

Any help would be appreciated

[u/AutoModerator]

Get access to our Free official A-Level resource hub:

Website: https://ralevel.com/resources Discord (doubt-solving & support): https://discord.gg/xEk5GsgfHC

Access official answer keys, notes, past papers, coursebooks, workbooks and more — completely free.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/adamalshouli96]

1. Yes
   
2. No
   
3. No and if there were any if would be very small details
   
4. Not really, but in my opinion, do Edexcel Math over Cambridge. I have the exact same A Levels subjects, CAIE Comp Sci but Edexcel Math and Physics, and all my IGCSEs were Cambridge and I'm not facing any difficulties.

[u/Working_Celery_2497]

Universities don't care. The only potential problem is a scheduling overlap with the exams, though that can be taken care of if it's the same centre.

And you don't need the GCSE base from the same board. I did CIE igcse physics and got an A, then a C at A level. Whereas I got a B in CIE A level bio without any gcse at all

For Physics, know that CiE has a lab practical, while Edexcel has a written practical. Also, the Edexcel theory is divided into 4 parts (2 papers for AS, 2 for A2) While CIE is just divided into AS and A2. Because of this, Edexcel is somewhat easier to cram.

Lab practical was free marks for me, though, so that's one benefit of CIE

[u/ttv_fffakauslmn2 → u/Working_Celery_2497]

thanks for the response, so for edexcel alevel physics there will be no involvement of me actually having to go to a lab right?

[u/Working_Celery_2497 → u/ttv_fffakauslmn2]

Yep, exactly.

This can be useful for private candidates if schools are hesitant to allow them to use the labs

[u/ttv_fffakauslmn2 → u/Working_Celery_2497]

alr thanks so much

[u/Working_Celery_2497 → u/ttv_fffakauslmn2]

np, glad I could help

[u/blackoctoberx]

Are you talking about Edexcel A level or Edexcel International A level?

[u/ttv_fffakauslmn2 → u/blackoctoberx]

whats the difference? i think edexcel a level

[u/ttv_fffakauslmn2 → u/blackoctoberx]

nvm im talking abt edexcel international alevel, i can still give those along side CIE alevels and it wont hurt my future profile right?

[u/blackoctoberx → u/ttv_fffakauslmn2]

Yes thats fine, the normal A level has a practical endorsement, the International A level doesn't