mathematics at cambridge....plzzz help

Knock Simon Singh's watered down account of how Wiles proved Fermat's last theorem if you will, but it is probably the thing that persuaded me to apply for maths rather than any other subject. I read it over the summer between year 12 and 13 and it demonstrated to me that maths isn't what school maths is.

Also everyone self-studies before uni- for example STEP. Everyone has to do that (pretty much) on their own don't they. And some of us had to self study for Further maths.

But STEP isn't before the interview, so you're not demonstrating self-study skills to the interviewers (unless you do STEP work before interview, which I certainly would recommend to get used to harder questions). Plus STEP isn't exactly the most convincing form of 'self-study'; it's work you've already covered, just with harder questions. I self-taught 14 maths modules, but not everyone does this and hence not everyone can demonstrate to the interviewers that they are motivated enough to do so.

Everyone pretty much will have read 'Fermat's Last Theorem' so it's not putting the OP or any other applicant ahead of the others. Not many applicants have had even a brief look into analysis (just an example) so this would set them apart more from other applicants (plus give them something nice and mathematical to talk about at the interview rather than a book that doesn't contain any actual maths).

It could even just be an area in A-level maths/further maths that interests them - for instance if a student likes calculus, he or she may read ahead to the differentiation and integration in further maths. It doesn't have to be university level maths. Just something to demonstrate motivation and enthusiasm. I don't see much/any point in reading 'popular' maths books when most people will do exactly the same, and it takes time away from more productive maths study that will impress the interviewers and set you apart from other candidates.

I see your point, but perhaps doing that is a little too keen. Maths, as a subject, is pretty unique in Cambridge in that a large minority (more than a third) of applicants get offers. You don't need to be über-keen - as lots of people have already said, talent for maths is the main requirement. Doing 18 maths modules isn't strictly necessary (if that's how you want to spend you sixth form then fair enough, but it's not for everyone) nor is being well up on things that are beyond the A-level syllabus. Someone is vastly better off reading a book that they enjoy and whets their appetite for maths than a book that they don't understand and puts them off, in my opinion.

There is also a slight disadvantage of being really well-ahead on the maths before you start is you find first year deceptively easy. When your coursemates are struggling through unfamiliar material, you'll breeze through with few difficulties. Then, when you get on to second year, it comes as a nasty shock that you actually need to work hard.

My interview (i'm sure it varies slightly from college to college) consisted of a two phases. The first (an admissions test and first couple of interview questions) tried to find out what I knew. The second phase involved asking me questions slightly above the level I was at, to see how I could answer them with occasional prodding in the right direction. There was a brief (5 min) chat about my personal statement but that was about it. Doing lots more maths merely makes the questions they ask you a bit more advanced.

I think you should do as much actual maths as you can. I never have been a fan of 'popular' maths books; anyone can read these, you're not setting yourself apart from the other candidates by reading a completely watered down account of Fermat's Last Theorem. Candidates going to any university for maths could read books like those.

I think, that's partly because of time constraints.

If you answer the fastest questions quickly enough, you'll get harder things. My last question was integrate lnsinx between 0 and pi/2, which I later discovered to come from an early 90s fmb/III STEP paper (there was another part on the step paper, but it took about 3 minutes, so yeah). It was also the very end of the day, so time won't have been as much of an issue though. Also it's good to know a bit of number theory, and BMO is a good way to learn the basics.

You say anyone can read proper books, but it takes quite a good amount of motivation and skill to be able to self-study and learn some proper maths. A good deal more dedication than reading a watered down account of how Wiles proved FLT. Not to say that reading books like FLT is an inherently bad idea, just that I think the time could be better spent elsewhere. I also think it's a great idea to at least try self-studying before university since it helps a lot at university. Independent study skills are essential.

Just giving my 2 cents .

I may as well ask the question I've been too scared to ask because everyone gets ripped apart for asking it: will not getting an A* at GCSE affect my chances?

I found that really interesting. I want to apply for maths at Cambridge (though I'm far off, I just started my AS year) and I know that lots of people have been self studying modules. In my school, we do C1 C2 C3 S1 S2 S3 in the first year, and C4 FP1 FP2 M1 M2 M3 in the second year. I wanted to possibly do an AS in additional further maths, by taking FP3 S4 and M4, but we're with WJEC and they don't offer more than 13 modules. Could I take those modules with a different board (i.e. OCR MEI) and if I can, is it worth it?

You didn't get an A* in maths...?

Seriously, 13 modules is more than enough. I had 9. Do something else instead. Learn to play the accordion. Teach yourself Portuguese. Take up tap-dancing. Anything. You'll have more than enough maths to keep you busy when you do 3 years (or more) at Cambridge, without having to stress out with insane levels of maths in year 13.

There'll also be some overlap between WJEC courses and OCR courses, so you'll be doing some of the same stuff twice. Also, don't bother with Decision maths- from what I've heard, it's both easy and pointless. From people who've taken it and tutors. But do WJEC FP3. As far as I remember it has some quite cool stuff on it.



What subjects are you doing? Do you enjoy them? I'd do at least one non-maths/physics subject to keep a sense of perspective, but it won't hurt your chances too much if you don't. STEP shouldn't take too much of your time so you could, feasibly, do all 5.

If you've got decent As at A-level, an A at GCSE shouldn't hurt your chances. I found maths incredibly tedious up until AS and didn't try very hard for GCSE. I can see it happening that you do sufficiently little work and are taught sufficiently badly to get an A. If I'd had the teacher I had in year 10 in year 11, I'd probably have got an A or worse.

I'm teaching myself Japanese, is that worth anything even if I don't get a qualification (I thought about taking the AS and A2 units in my A2 year if I get close enough to a B standard by then)? I suppose it's something to put in my PS.

The world needs more tap-dancing mathmos

If you're keen on maths, STEP is actually quite fun. It didn't take up too much of my time. I did 4AS in first year of sixth form and 3A2 and AS further maths in year 13.

Cool. I taught myself Japanese too in year 13, though I'm rather sure that it didn't add much to my application; the extra maths I was doing on the other hand did as it was (a lot) more relevant.

FP3 contains a lot of relevant material to university maths (well, it did on my board anyway!) M4/M5/S4 are good modules too (again, I haven't done OCR, but on Edexcel they were good). FP3 is certainly worth doing even if you don't do two others.

Did you get a high A* on the exams? Maybe your circumstances count as 'special', I'm not sure how it works exactly as far as that is concerned.

What level are you at in Japanese? It would be nice to have someone to learn with .

Surely being able to speak a language is worth far more than any amount of letters on your UCAS form? :P But it looks pretty good on your CV too. I still think you should learn to tap dance. The world needs more tap-dancing mathmos



You have Maths and FM which is enough. Very few Cambridge applicants have triple maths- you aren't at any disadvantage. Doing WJEC FP3 won't get you a qualification but it's by no means pointless. If you're going to get 5As at A-level, you have more than enough qualifications and you can afford to do stuff that interests you. I looked at the syllabus for OCR FP3 and it's less interesting (at least in my opinion) than WJEC FP3. OCR FP3 is covered in the first two weeks of Cambridge term.



If you're keen on maths, STEP is actually quite fun. It didn't take up too much of my time. I did 4AS in first year of sixth form and 3A2 and AS further maths in year 13. And I worked 2 evenings a week and on Saturdays. I was never overly stressed and managed to have a decent life. 5 would be doable. If you enjoy them, you might as well carry them on- at least until you get an offer.