A-level maths

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  1. theking1's Avatar
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    A-level maths
    Please don't hesitate to post your opinion. I'm sure this thread could be used to help other people in a similar situation. Thanks


    I'm currently a Student studying for my GCSE's. For one of my A level options I'm considering taking Maths A-level.

    At the moment, I'm working at a B/C grade, but I think this is due to my personal school life as generally I work hard. In my class, because I'm in a lower set it's much harder to concentrate as you get a lot of morons who don't really care about doing well in the subject. Although I'm not Einstein at it, Maths is an interesting subject, to which I could definitely see myself doing.

    However, the A-level itself is extremely hard, being at such a low grade of a C- I'm not sure whether I could Cope? -----------If I were to put the effort in additionally, would I be able to do well in it?
    Last edited by theking1; 15-06-2012 at 21:49.
  2. ChemGraduate's Avatar
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    No, just do it. Maths is always a winning subject.


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  3. gdunne42's Avatar
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    Re: A-level maths
    (Original post by theking1)
    Was wondering if I should take it.

    If I'm at B/C at GCSE level would I struggle too much?
    If you are B/C at GCSE you should not take A level Maths.
  4. ChemGraduate's Avatar
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    I got a B in high school and I was fine... Seriously, ignore negative posters. Have. A positive attitude and you WILL DO IT! Trust me.


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  5. aq923's Avatar
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    How confident are you with maths? If u like maths and u are not struggle to understand question it's worse to do alevel maths and give it a try. The grade u get doesnt really mean u are bad at it. But just let u know the gap between a level and gcse maths is quite big. If u can try to read some revision book for as maths see if u can manage to understand half of it. If u can u should have no problem at least in ur first yr. good luck


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  6. theking1's Avatar
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    Re: A-level maths
    (Original post by ChemGraduate)
    I got a B in high school and I was fine... Seriously, ignore negative posters. Have. A positive attitude and you WILL DO IT! Trust me.


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    Thank you
  7. Dreamweaver's Avatar
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    Re: A-level maths
    Do it if you are willing to put the work in, otherwise don't bother. Don't listen to people who think a B at GCSE actually has any bearing on how you will cope at A level. One of my friends got a C at GCSE and ended up with an A* at A level. Maths A level is 70% hard work 30% intelligence. If you are going to put the work in go for it and on't look back.
  8. theking1's Avatar
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    • Posts: 153
    Re: A-level maths
    (Original post by aq923)
    How confident are you with maths? If u like maths and u are not struggle to understand question it's worse to do alevel maths and give it a try. The grade u get doesnt really mean u are bad at it. But just let u know the gap between a level and gcse maths is quite big. If u can try to read some revision book for as maths see if u can manage to understand half of it. If u can u should have no problem at least in ur first yr. good luck


    This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App
    NGL, I'm not too confident. 3 months ago I was on a E/D average. It's only in the last 2 months have I started to take interest in the subject getting me a B/C average (mostly C average)- however it's different circumstances considering at AS you study 4 in comparison to 7. idk...
  9. ChemGraduate's Avatar
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    (Original post by Dreamweaver)
    Do it if you are willing to put the work in, otherwise don't bother. Don't listen to people who think a B at GCSE actually has any bearing on how you will cope at A level. One of my friends got a C at GCSE and ended up with an A* at A level. Maths A level is 70% hard work 30% intelligence. If you are going to put the work in go for it and on't look back.
    My point exactly! Just jump right into your maths alevel, you'll find it so useful in everything you do in the future.


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  10. theking1's Avatar
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    Re: A-level maths
    (Original post by Dreamweaver)
    Do it if you are willing to put the work in, otherwise don't bother. Don't listen to people who think a B at GCSE actually has any bearing on how you will cope at A level. One of my friends got a C at GCSE and ended up with an A* at A level. Maths A level is 70% hard work 30% intelligence. If you are going to put the work in go for it and on't look back.
    Well I'd like to apply for Oxbridge so yes, I'd have to work rigorously hard to achieve an A. The thing is I don't have a 'maths mind set' - is it hard to get into this mind set to maximise potential? And thank you.
  11. aljolson's Avatar
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    Re: A-level maths
    (Original post by theking1)
    Was wondering if I should take it.

    If I'm at B/C at GCSE level would I struggle too much?
    If your prepared to put the work in to play catch-up, then go for it. Maths is a bit like standing on the shoulders of giants, but you must learn all the easier stuff first, it's how math is taught, building blocks. Maybe get a "math buddy", who can help you through the maze. Good luck it's a great subject.
  12. xxlissaxx's Avatar
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    Re: A-level maths
    i got a B in GCSE and a C at alevel, do if if you want to.
  13. chelseafan's Avatar
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    Re: A-level maths
    Are you sure, Oxbridge is realistic since your only working at a b/c in maths.
  14. Imposition's Avatar
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    Re: A-level maths
    (Original post by theking1)
    Well I'd like to apply for Oxbridge so yes, I'd have to work rigorously hard to achieve an A. The thing is I don't have a 'maths mind set' - is it hard to get into this mind set to maximise potential? And thank you.

    I once read something like, "The hardest thing in maths is adding and subtracting." Honestly, at least at A-level, everything can be learned if you apply yourself.
  15. ChemGraduate's Avatar
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    (Original post by Imposition)
    I once read something like, "The hardest thing in maths is adding and subtracting." Honestly, at least at A-level, everything can be learned if you apply yourself.
    My thoughts, exactly.


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  16. theking1's Avatar
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    Re: A-level maths
    (Original post by chelseafan)
    Are you sure, Oxbridge is realistic since your only working at a b/c in maths.
    Math was the only subject I achieve less than an A average in, so yes it would seem seemingly realistic.
  17. theking1's Avatar
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    Re: A-level maths
    (Original post by xxlissaxx)
    i got a B in GCSE and a C at alevel, do if if you want to.
    Really? Did you work much harder at A-level?
  18. Stevo F's Avatar
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    Re: A-level maths
    (Original post by theking1)
    Was wondering if I should take it.

    If I'm at B/C at GCSE level would I struggle too much?
    A level maths is actually very different to GCSE maths.
    I was in the bottom set at my school for GCSE maths (though i am at a grammar school) but I'm on target for an A at A level now. It really depends on whether you put the effort in as a lot of it is just practice and doing past papers. From what I remember of GCSE maths there was a lot of mental arithmetic whereas you have a calculator for 5 out of the 6 exams you do at A level.
    TBH i dont think you can know how you're going to find it until you start, you can always just do it for AS and drop it for A2 if you don't like it, C1 and C2 are okay its C4 that can be ridiculously difficult
  19. theking1's Avatar
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    • Posts: 153
    Re: A-level maths
    (Original post by Stevo F)
    A level maths is actually very different to GCSE maths.
    I was in the bottom set at my school for GCSE maths (though i am at a grammar school) but I'm on target for an A at A level now. It really depends on whether you put the effort in as a lot of it is just practice and doing past papers. From what I remember of GCSE maths there was a lot of mental arithmetic whereas you have a calculator for 5 out of the 6 exams you do at A level.
    TBH i dont think you can know how you're going to find it until you start, you can always just do it for AS and drop it for A2 if you don't like it, C1 and C2 are okay its C4 that can be ridiculously difficult
    What grade did you achieve in bottom set? Cause private school standards are quite different to comphehensive ones. And cheers stevo
  20. carbonita's Avatar
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    Re: A-level maths
    A level is different Yes.. but you need to have some sort of maths mindset or you won't get the questions
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