[Decoy88]

Hi, after reading lots of threads couldn't get a definitive idea so signing up and started a new one!

Here's the situation:
I want a new career in Computer and wish to study Computer Science at degree level. For that I figured I need a strong Maths A-Level grade just to handle the course, so I plan to take AS/A2 Exams next year (January/June).

I have a decent Maths GCSE Grade B - self taught, teaching my school was crap - but that was ages ago and I have since have developed a dislike for Maths. For this Computer Science thing I'm willing to put differences aside and try learn to enjoy it again. Currently refreshing my mind on GSCE stuff to help me understand AS study.

Since I can't afford to enrol on an A-Level course, I'll have to self-teach and pay for exams. Preparing for...

Edexcel
AS Level: C1, C2, {D1} [January]
A2 Level: C1, C2, C3, C4, {D2} [June]

So my question is:

1) Which are the BEST textbooks for SELF-STUDY? I need an IN-DEPTH understanding of the modules not merely enough just to get me through the exams. Don't want to struggle too much at uni. If there is no All encompassing textbook then maybe extra resources.

2) I'm aiming for Grade A overall to get in for a 2013 enrollment into uni. Nowhere like Cambridge/Imperial College or top 20 even. But is it still possible?

3) Has anyone done this before? if So how did it work out? Grades, Uni etc


In case this helps. I'm 21 years old and working full time with weekends and evenings off. I have learnt the meaning of 'work ethic' even though it took a while, so I'm committed. I believe that since I am only studying 1 A-Level it shouldn't be as taxing as before.

Current A-Level Grades...
English Literature: C
History: C
Biology: E (:<)

I'd like to stress that I will be studying entirely on my own. So any extra tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!


EDIT: ok, switching my target degree from Computer Science to Software Engineering after some more detailed research (aka Google/Wikipedia). I want to build software not just think about it. I assume all the resources to prepare for the pre-graduate stage still remain the same?

[gdunne42]

(Original post by Decoy88)

So my question is:

1) Which are the BEST textbooks for SELF-STUDY? I need an IN-DEPTH understanding of the modules not merely enough just to get me through the exams. Don't want to struggle too much at uni. If there is no All encompassing textbook then maybe extra resources.

2) I'm aiming for Grade A overall to get in for a 2013 enrollment into uni. Nowhere like Cambridge/Imperial College or top 20 even. But is it still possible?

3) Has anyone done this before? if So how did it work out? Grades, Uni etc


In case this helps. I'm 21 years old and working full time with weekends and evenings off. I have learnt the meaning of 'work ethic' even though it took a while, so I'm committed. I believe that since I am only studying 1 A-Level it shouldn't be as taxing as before.

Current A-Level Grades...
English Literature: C
History: C
Biology: E (:<)

I'd like to stress that I will be studying entirely on my own. So any extra tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I'd recommend this series of books
http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Edex.../9780435519100
one book for each unit
You should be able to pick them up at half price on Ebay

This is a great web site for learning and past paper revision
http://www.examsolutions.co.uk/

[Decoy88]

Wow that was quick! Thanks! I'll get started.

[gdunne42]

(Original post by Decoy88)
Wow that was quick! Thanks! I'll get started.

If you plan to take exams in January you need to start organising the exam centre soon, ideally by end of September to be sure of being accepted.

Exam timetable here
http://www.education.gov.uk/comptimetable/

Private candidate info here
http://www.edexcel.com/i-am-a/studen...s/default.aspx

[Decoy88]

I've looked at the the reviews for Decision Maths in the Heinemann series and they are very poor. Looks like ima have to get a different book for D1/D2. Any suggestions?.

(Original post by gdunne42)
If you plan to take exams in January you need to start organising the exam centre soon, ideally by end of September to be sure of being accepted.

The deadline for exam applications is October 10 where I am. So I want to be confident in at least the AS by then.

(Original post by gdunne42)
I'd recommend this series of books
http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Edex.../9780435519100
one book for each unit
You should be able to pick them up at half price on Ebay

This is a great web site for learning and past paper revision
http://www.examsolutions.co.uk/

Okay I've found this book through thorough and extensive research (ie Google). Seems to be exactly/perfectly what I need. Almost too good (12 5 star reviews)

Has anyone used this book? £25 is hefty if its a waste of time. I also see it was published in 2003 so for one it definitely won't cover Decision Maths. Plus all the new syllabuses are from 2008.
Anyone know if there is much difference from pre-'07' to post-'08' in terms of learning and content?

[tooosh]

I would personally do S1 and S2. Stats and decision are both relevant to CS but the decision modules are crap.

Self teaching Maths isn't too hard IF you are motivated. It's also worth checking the revision recordings at http://www.furthermaths.org.uk/onlinerevision.php they cover content really quickly but the teachers who do them tend to be very good. I would watch the recording for a topic, then read the textbook and do questions. Rinse and repeat for other topics.

[Decoy88]

(Original post by tooosh)
I would personally do S1 and S2. Stats and decision are both relevant to CS but the decision modules are crap.

Are you speaking from experience? I understand the D1/D2 modules are quite new but they seem WAY more relevant to CS than any of the other modules. What exactly makes them "crap"?

Motivation isn't my problem, its timing and a rusty maths brain thats my biggest worry. I've designed a rough timetable but won't really know how long topics will take will take me to grasp until the books come. I plan to work through the chapters in the textbooks while using past papers to self-test. Is this all I need? or will I need more?

[tooosh]

(Original post by Decoy88)
Are you speaking from experience? I understand the D1/D2 modules are quite new but they seem WAY more relevant to CS than any of the other modules. What exactly makes them "crap"?

Motivation isn't my problem, its timing and a rusty maths brain thats my biggest worry. I've designed a rough timetable but won't really know how long topics will take will take me to grasp until the books come. I plan to work through the chapters in the textbooks while using past papers to self-test. Is this all I need? or will I need more?

They're just not very good modules. I am speaking from experience, D1 was literally just memorising things but stats requires a bit of understanding. It is more relevant to CS but you are going to be using stats anyway.

That is basically all you need but other resources, like FMSP, may help.

[Decoy88]

(Original post by tooosh)
D1 was literally just memorising things but stats requires a bit of understanding.

sounds like Decision is simplier/basic/easier to do/learn and more relevant. sounds like a win win!

[tooosh]

(Original post by Decoy88)
sounds like Decision is simplier/basic/easier to do/learn and more relevant. sounds like a win win!

D1 at least is simple stuff compared to first year CS at a top uni. It's boring as hell as well. Do you want to memorise several sorting algorithms?
Stats is almost as relevant as decision maths, at least what they have in the A-level syllabus.

[Decoy88]

(Original post by tooosh)
D1 at least is simple stuff compared to first year CS at a top uni. It's boring as hell as well. Do you want to memorise several sorting algorithms?
Stats is almost as relevant as decision maths, at least what they have in the A-level syllabus.

Well boredom is subjective. And I'm currently not a fan of maths as a whole so that becomes not really an issue.

If you end up being right and I made a mistake with that option, I can catch up in first year. I'm, most concerned with attaining that A grade the best way I can to meet UCAS points requirements.

Top level uni's are out of the question. highest I would be able to go would be Brunel/Queen Mary/Kent without studying more than one A-Level. And, given my current situation, thats the most I can handle.

I'm still gonna go with Decision, but you advice is much appreciated. If you got any more advice on the best way to go about Decision please let me know!

[Putch1]

D1/D2 simple stuff, can be boring but you can easily get an A grade if you're committed. It's best to use the textbooks which are endorsed by edexcel.


-Putch =)

[tooosh]

(Original post by Decoy88)
Well boredom is subjective. And I'm currently not a fan of maths as a whole so that becomes not really an issue.

If you end up being right and I made a mistake with that option, I can catch up in first year. I'm, most concerned with attaining that A grade the best way I can to meet UCAS points requirements.

Top level uni's are out of the question. highest I would be able to go would be Brunel/Queen Mary/Kent without studying more than one A-Level. And, given my current situation, thats the most I can handle.

I'm still gonna go with Decision, but you advice is much appreciated. If you got any more advice on the best way to go about Decision please let me know!

The key to decision is memorisation, and the easiest way of going about that is by doing questions. Doing 5 linear programming questions will take longer than reading the method 5 times, but it will be in-grained in your memory.
Practice questions are needed for all maths topics really. But with a goal like memorisation, there are multiple ways to go about it and I would recommend boat loads of questions.

[Decoy88]

(Original post by Putch1)
D1/D2 simple stuff, can be boring but you can easily get an A grade if you're committed. It's best to use the textbooks which are endorsed by edexcel.


-Putch =)

Reviews of this book seem less than decent. Are there any alternatives?

[Putch1]

(Original post by Decoy88)
Reviews of this book seem less than decent. Are there any alternatives?

Ehh, I generally don't think the amazon reviews mean anything. Well, by looking at it, only 1 person has given it 1/5 stars. But rest has given it positive reviews. This book is recommended by the exam board and it's easy to follow. Everything you need to know is in that book actually. However, you might find some minor mistakes with the answers at the back of the book.

I am positive that there are no alternatives, with up to date content, since the D1 specification changed from 2009.

[raveen789]

Do AQA maths plenty of resources and past papers and very good text book (I heard they are more reliable than Edexcel).

Here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0...EMDJJG49T9X51M
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Advanced-Mat...ref=pd_sim_b_4

Equally you can take S1 and D1 and still get an overall A level. Its not like you have to do D1 then D2 or S1 and S2.

My teacher also used these textbooks and i thought the questions were brilliant!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Advancing-Ma...ref=pd_sim_b_1

finally the exam solution website also covers AQA specification

Hope this helps

[Decoy88]

thanks. but ive done already ordered the books for edexcel

[QwertyG]

(Original post by raveen789)
Do AQA maths plenty of resources and past papers and very good text book (I heard they are more reliable than Edexcel).

Here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0...EMDJJG49T9X51M
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Advanced-Mat...ref=pd_sim_b_4

Equally you can take S1 and D1 and still get an overall A level. Its not like you have to do D1 then D2 or S1 and S2.

My teacher also used these textbooks and i thought the questions were brilliant!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Advancing-Ma...ref=pd_sim_b_1

finally the exam solution website also covers AQA specification

Hope this helps

AQA is a joke... Edexcel has more resources like solutionbank and past paper tutorials..

[Putch1]

(Original post by QwertyG)
AQA is a joke... Edexcel has more resources like solutionbank and past paper tutorials..

Exactly...more students take edexcel maths for a reason


-Putch =)

[raveen789]

Sorry did not know! im just suggesting