[BeautifulRose16]

I'm thinking about taking maths a-level, but teaching myself as the Sixth Form I'm going to won't accept me in the Maths class. I got a higher C in GCSE maths, but I know it's because I did not try in the slightest. It's really important that I take this a-level. As the summer has started, do you think I could get a head start teaching myself the subject, and do quite well in the January exams? On top of Maths, I will be taking Law A2, and History, Biology, English Lit at AS.
I know most people use Edexcel, but I'm opting for AQA.. has anyone else used this board for Maths? If so, is it any better?

Thanks for any input in advance!!!

[AceStacks]

It is possible but not for everyone if you really are dedicated enough to put in enough work by yourself then go for it.

[TenOfThem]

If you got a C at GCSE then there is a lot of maths that you do not know ... most of which you would need to know as a basis for the A level

In addition you will not have any teacher input that could correct your misconceptions and/or teach some of the bits that you do not know



Why is it so important, would AS be enough, could you re-do the GCSE in Y12 and then an AS in Y13

AQA is no better or worse than Edexcel ... are you doing AQA because that is what your school do

[BeautifulRose16]

(Original post by TenOfThem)
If you got a C at GCSE then there is a lot of maths that you do not know ... most of which you would need to know as a basis for the A level

In addition you will not have any teacher input that could correct your misconceptions and/or teach some of the bits that you do not know



Why is it so important, would AS be enough, could you re-do the GCSE in Y12 and then an AS in Y13

AQA is no better or worse than Edexcel ... are you doing AQA because that is what your school do

Yes I know there's quite a bit I don't know, but that's why I'm so keen to get started now. Six weeks prep is better than nothing, right?
No, my school is doing Edexcel. But it really doesn't matter what they're doing, because it won't be linked to them whatsoever. To sit the exams, I'll go to another school which does use AQA.

[TenOfThem]

(Original post by BeautifulRose16)
Six weeks prep is better than nothing, right?

Then spend the 6 weeks studying GCSE
In fact ... I would suggest that you speak to school, learn all the HIGHER course, and ask them if you can sit a GCSE paper for them on return in September to show you know the VAST majority of it ... and then ask them to allow you onto the course

(Original post by BeautifulRose16)
To sit the exams, I'll go to another school which does use AQA.

This can cause serious problems with scheduling

[Snakefingers13]

Spend the summer doing GCSE Maths, make sure you've nailed the entire Higher course, then ask a teacher to give you a paper. If you can get A*/A on that they'd probably consider accepting you. You'll never know if you don't try. It's probably unwise to attempt A-Level without being confident on all areas of GCSE anyhow.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[DonJuan]

I'm only saying this not to be harsh but because it's better to not choose it then to end up with a useless grade or a fail, or dropping out and not being able to catch up in a more realistic A level.
The truth is, for you to have a chance at Maths A level, you should have got an A at GCSE even while hardly trying. Many many people even with A*s at GCSE end up having to drop Maths A level after a bad AS result. In fact, for you to have a chance at an A or A* at A level you really have to be the person who got an A* at GCSE while hardly trying. It is a massive change from the GCSE which these days is a joke that hardly challenges you beyond quadratic equations and some basic trig.

[AceStacks]

(Original post by DonJuan)
I'm only saying this not to be harsh but because it's better to not choose it then to end up with a useless grade or a fail, or dropping out and not being able to catch up in a more realistic A level.
The truth is, for you to have a chance at Maths A level, you should have got an A at GCSE even while hardly trying. Many many people even with A*s at GCSE end up having to drop Maths A level after a bad AS result. In fact, for you to have a chance at an A or A* at A level you really have to be the person who got an A* at GCSE while hardly trying. It is a massive change from the GCSE which these days is a joke that hardly challenges you beyond quadratic equations and some basic trig.

I disagree. So many people have dropped out of school with nothing and returned back to higher education and gotten degrees it just depends on how motivated you are and how much attention you pay at the time, no one is ever going to get an A on anything if they don't pay any attention!

[Snakefingers13]

Dropping from A* at GCSE to D/E at A-Level isn't down to difficulty, it's down to work rate. For a lot of students, the lack of challenge at GCSE and the advent of college and free periods causes them to slack.

Two examples of students I know, who both got full marks at GCSE:

Student 1 was slack, although they had some natural ability. They didn't work particularly hard and came out with 52 and 61 in M1 and S1 in January.

Student 2 worked hard throughout the A-Level course, blitzed all the past papers twice and made sure they could answer everything. They got 98 and 99 respectively.

Anyone who is prepared to graft can do well at A-Level.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[Putch1]

(Original post by BeautifulRose16)
I'm thinking about taking maths a-level, but teaching myself as the Sixth Form I'm going to won't accept me in the Maths class. I got a higher C in GCSE maths, but I know it's because I did not try in the slightest. It's really important that I take this a-level. As the summer has started, do you think I could get a head start teaching myself the subject, and do quite well in the January exams? On top of Maths, I will be taking Law A2, and History, Biology, English Lit at AS.
I know most people use Edexcel, but I'm opting for AQA.. has anyone else used this board for Maths? If so, is it any better?

Thanks for any input in advance!!!

If you do self teach maths, I would suggest getting private tuition so that you can get some understanding how A-level maths works. IMO, lots of schools choose edexcel maths because they have a lot of resources, past papers, solution banks etc. But whatever you feel is right for you, then sure.

Motivation and practising questions everyday will get you good results!


-Putch =)