Can you get an A* in a level maths if you get a C in one module?

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How boring to spend six months revising C3 and C4 ... I make sure my students learn it well the first time.

Difference of approach, for majority of students, who take maths as a means to an end to get to a top university for studying something other than Maths or Physics. First and foremost, they want the A*, with highest possible confidence. In an ideal world, yes people learn something first time and do it well, it does not imply you are definitely going to score highly in exams with high confidence. A student is measured on exam performance, depth of understanding is required, but rigorous practice of accuracy, memory and speed is paramount for those who are not naturally talented. So yes five to sixth months of exam practice is boring but it is extremely effective, and it gets the job done, and everyone is happy.

At the end of the day, for most, it is about the best way to get a best result. The truth is that most who does A-level maths, who do not go on to study further, will quickly forget most of what they have learnt, mostly because they wont use it again in real life. A-level maths really should be about improving analytical and problem solving skills. Which at the present is almost none-existent in A-level Maths. But not all is lost, at least the DoE is trying to resolve the issue. Let's wait and see, how exciting!

Reply 21

TenOfThem

Original post by Muttley79

"that tell you how hard and relevant it is"

D1 is a great module; it is the only part of the A level syllabus that looks at some recently discovered mathematical ideas. What could be more relevant than the maths that sat navs use; critical path analysis and linear programming are used in many professions?

I agree - I think there is more in D2 that is useful but I am also disappointed that it is going

Reply 22

Muttley79

"A-level maths really should be about improving analytical and problem solving skills. Which at the present is almost non-existent in A-level Maths"

Well it is if you teach it properly ... spending six months on revision is not teaching it well. Most of my students enjoy maths and science so much they want to go on and study them at uni.

I think the new proposed linear A level is a backward step - the number of students taking A level has gone up since 2000 and numbers will fall again.

Reply 23

TeeEm

Original post by TenOfThem

... D2 ... is going

Reply 24

TenOfThem

Original post by Muttley79

I think the new proposed linear A level is a backward step - the number of students taking A level has gone up since 2000 and numbers will fall again.

I disagree - I think that Linear A Levels are a great step

With a proper offer of A Level, AS, and Core I think that we can increase the number of students taking Maths post 16

Reply 25

TenOfThem

Original post by TeeEm

Again - I find this a disappointment

Reply 26

Muttley79

Maths was not a popular A level when it was linear ... and the syllabus had to be tweaked when it first went modular.

I will put money on fewer students taking maths and more getting a grade U.

Reply 27

chn.challenger

Original post by Muttley79

What I didn't mention is the fact that finishing C3 and C4 in the first term, most of the students can already get an A. We spend the next six months taking it easy and slowly digest everything, and preparing to perfect the exam over this time. Of course during this time, a lot of other interesting things, applications of these basic ideas can be explored...Shouldn't be this easy, that is simply my point.

Reply 28

chn.challenger

On decision Maths, which in is very useful as a branch of Maths, but D1 at the moment is just too easy, again the difficulty level is what I have problems with, it needs to be brought in line with other modules. Perhaps putting some D2 in D1 will help.

Reply 29

TeeEm

Original post by Muttley79

Maths was not a popular A level when it was linear ... and the syllabus had to be tweaked when it first went modular.

why does it have to be popular?

Reply 30

TeeEm

Original post by Muttley79

I will put money on fewer students taking maths and more getting a grade U.

quality and not quantity.

Reply 31

chn.challenger

TeeEm? Are we twins from previous life? :smile:

Reply 32

Muttley79

I want many students to take A level maths because they love the subject; dont you?

Reply 33

TeeEm

Original post by chn.challenger

TeeEm? Are we twins from previous life? :smile:

I have some strange ideas and I can be dogmatic at times so I am glad I find someone in agreement with me.

Reply 34

Professor Purple

Friend of mine got a C in C3 this January, resat it this summer and got an A* overall!

(Welsh students had January exams for 1 more year if you didnt know)

Reply 35

TeeEm

Original post by Professor Purple

Friend of mine got a C in C3 this January, resat it this summer and got an A* overall!

(Welsh students had January exams for 1 more year if you didnt know)

same in CCEA (northern Ireland)

Reply 36

rayquaza17

Original post by Professor Purple

Friend of mine got a C in C3 this January, resat it this summer and got an A* overall!

(Welsh students had January exams for 1 more year if you didnt know)