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A-Level Maths

Background information about studying Maths

How will it differ from GCSE?

Difficulty

It is more difficult, but not hugely so at first. AS modules are not considered particularly difficult, though core A2 modules are more advanced. They do, however, build on work from previous modules so the learning curve is manageable. Anyone confident with GCSE maths should at least be able to manage AS maths with appropriate effort.

Workload

This depends largely on the individual. Some people will pick up new topics quickly, while others may find they have to work at it more and put more time into doing practice questions in order to fully understand a topic.

Required Individual Study

Students should spend time doing extra practice questions on topics they are less confident with in order to improve their skills. Time spent doing past papers, either open book or in exam conditions, is also very useful, particularly as a means of revision in the weeks immediately before exams.

How is it assessed?

Exams

There are 3 modules required for the AS and 6 modules for the A2. Each module is assessed by a 90 minute exam, marked out of 75. Typically, 30/75 is required for an E and 60/75 is required for an A, however these vary depending on the difficulty of the exam.

There are 4 types of module you can take - the compulsory Core modules, and the three branches of applied module: Decision (being able to think like a computer), Mechanics and Statistics.

For the AS, you are required to take C1 and C2 as well as one of D1, M1 or S1. For the A2, you are required to take C1, C2, C3 and C4, as well as two of D1, D2, M1, M2, S1 or S2

Each modules has a weighting of 100 UMS and in total the AS is marked out of 300 and the A2 is marked out of 600. The gradings for A-E are as normal (80%, 70%, and so on) however for the A* grading at A2, only C3 and C4 are taken into account. You will need to score an average of 90% or more when the scores for C3 and C4 are combined to get an A* (as well as achieving 480/600 overall).

Field trips and excursions

You wouldn't think that studying A Level Maths can lead to trips, and definitely not fun ones! However, this Maths trip ended up with half the class screaming. We went to Thorpe Park to explore the new Saw ride, which was fantastic by the way! Despite spending a lot of the trip getting wet, being scared and doing more screaming, we learnt about the mathematics behind the new Saw ride, Stealth and other rides at the theme park which involves plenty of momentum, kinetic energy and force. (On a side note, it was more like a light M1/Physics lesson)! We also learnt about the finances behind the new ride, and the economic impact of the new ride. It drew in from other parts of the cirriculum such as Geography but it definitely was an enlightening trip!

Where can I go with a Maths A-Level

A lot of courses at university require A-Level maths. These include physics, economics, computer science and engineering. It is also highly regarded by many other courses, such as medicine, because of the analytical and logical reasoning skills learned in A-Level maths.

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Also See

• The main A Level article
• A Level Revision Notes
• An A-Z of A-Level Subject Guides