Mathematics Applicants 2012

Could anyone recommend me maths-related books to read in preparation & to mention on my personal statement, I've had a look at the Cambridge reading list, but I just wanted other prospective applicants opinion's on this.

Would you recommend getting one basic higher-level maths book, then perhaps one further specialised book? With the further specialised book being calculus related?

Could anyone recommend me maths-related books to read in preparation & to mention on my personal statement, I've had a look at the Cambridge reading list, but I just wanted other prospective applicants opinion's on this.

Would you recommend getting one basic higher-level maths book, then perhaps one further specialised book? With the further specialised book being calculus related?

I've heard from my open day at King's that the interview is really for you to show ability to do maths, not ability to read. They do ask "so, read any good maths books you want to talk about?" or a similar question, to break the ice so to speak, but the emphasis is on how good you are at maths!

I'm pretty set on Cambridge as I quite enjoy doing STEP.

I intend on quoting you on this in a year's time. STEP suddenly becomes less fun when the pressure is on.

At an interview what is meant by 'checking your ability to do maths'?? Do you get like a test???
Surely your A levels will show how good you are!!

Off topic, but this might be of use to others thinking of applying to different colleges.

What it seems like each college has a different policy on asking general questions/icebreakers - for me at Sidney, for example, both interviews followed this basic routine: walk in, do maths, leave. But I've also heard of other colleges devoting an entire interview just to general questions - King's obviously being neither of these extremes.

In the eyes of Oxbridge, A-levels are nothing. So instead, they sit there with you and work with you on a harder, more difficult to grasp problem. (Obviously they expect you to do most of the work, helping you as you may need!)

By doing this they hope to get an idea of your natural mathematical ability and insight.

In the eyes of Oxbridge, A-levels are nothing. So instead, they sit there with you and work with you on a harder, more difficult to grasp problem. (Obviously they expect you to do most of the work, helping you as you may need!)

Oh i see....What about lesser unis such as Lancaster, Leeds, Sheffield....

Definitely wouldn't go that far. You still have entry requirements for your A-levels, and if you're not exceeding an average of 90 UMS in AS (and so not predicted an A* in A2) you will probably not be interviewed.

But the problem with A-levels are sometimes they can just assess hard work. A girl in my class isn't PARTICULARLY talented at maths (if she worked an average amount, probably a low A/high B student or lower), her talents lie elsewhere, but she works extremely hard, like harder than I've ever seen anyone work - and she got 100UMS in Core 1 (not the hardest feat, I know, but one nonetheless). She wouldn't have the mathematical ability to do it at university - she works unbelievably hard at A-levels to get good grades and the jump to university would force her not to have enough time in the day to work (just to catch up etc). Her A-levels wouldn't reflect this.

As well as that Cambridge Maths is particularly rigorous.

Definitely wouldn't go that far. You still have entry requirements for your A-levels, and if you're not exceeding an average of 90 UMS in AS (and so not predicted an A* in A2) you will probably not be interviewed.

But the problem with A-levels are sometimes they can just assess hard work. A girl in my class isn't PARTICULARLY talented at maths (if she worked an average amount, probably a low A/high B student or lower), her talents lie elsewhere, but she works extremely hard, like harder than I've ever seen anyone work - and she got 100UMS in Core 1 (not the hardest feat, I know, but one nonetheless). She wouldn't have the mathematical ability to do it at university - she works unbelievably hard at A-levels to get good grades and the jump to university would force her not to have enough time in the day to work (just to catch up etc). Her A-levels wouldn't reflect this.

As well as that Cambridge Maths is particularly rigorous.

I think I will get 90+ UMS for AS Maths, but not for AS Further Maths (probably an average of about 80), which I had to teach myself. Is that going to be a big disadvantage?
Thanks!

I think I was coming out quite strong there actually, saying you need to have 90+ to be interviewed was a bit wrong, especially since most candidates are interviewed, though even after interview UMS is taken quite heavily into account.

I wouldn't worry about getting 80 something in further especially since you're teaching yourself, they make allowances for things like that. Really if you show great mathematical thinking and a lot of potential in interviews, a few percentage points aren't going to hold you back.

Thanks very much, I'm having a hard time deciding whether or not to apply to Oxford. I would love to study maths there, but I can't help but feel my chances are slim; 2 A*s 5 A's 2 B's and a C at GCSE and most likely AAAB/AABB at AS level.

Unfortunately Oxford require A*A* in Further Maths you could always try that extra bit harder, but AAAB won't cut it I'm afraid

Thanks very much, I'm having a hard time deciding whether or not to apply to Oxford. I would love to study maths there, but I can't help but feel my chances are slim; 2 A*s 5 A's 2 B's and a C at GCSE and most likely AAAB/AABB at AS level.

Oxford don't care about GCSEs, you practically have the same GCSEs as me. A lot of weight is put on the MAT admission test, if you think you can get A*A* in Maths/Further (and can convince your tutors to predict that) then there isn't any harm in applying. Just make sure you don't apply to all over-subscribed courses. On the whole, maths entry isn't very competitive, but at places like Oxbridge, Imperial, Bristol, Bath it's even more competitive than medicine.

He was talking AS, you can't get A*s at AS.

To benniboi - I'd definitely go for it and try your best to get as many As as possible. Oxford don't look at UMS so any A in maths/further is an A.