Is there a big jump between GCSE to A-Level Maths?

*from
I got a 6 in my GCSE and I struggled a bit but I will work hard and get help also tutoring, along the way to achieve a good grade.

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 1

syedronaldo

2

work from day one. Should be fine :smile:

Reply 2

Sonicalireza

13

Any gcse to a level is a jump just depends how much you work for it when doing the a level that's how you decide if it's easy or hard if you did gcse further maths that has some aspects of AS maths from what I heard so it should be a smaller jump fortunately for me I got a 9 in maths and A* in further maths and am going a level next year :smile:

but like syedronaldo says work from day one and you'll be sure to be fine

Reply 3

RosieMedic

9

Yes and no...

Algebra is always pretty standard, you gradually develop this over C1-C4.
You know some topics, and you are just taught a bit more about them from what you knew in GCSEs.
You are introduced into some new topics as well but its all pretty basic to begin with.

However, I think the hardest bit is continuing to practise different types of questions (so keeping up with the workload) and once you know the basics, learning the harder stuff + applying (happens a lot in C3 and C4)

If you want to get a head start that would be a great idea.
Use physicsandmathstutor for resources later on
And use this website to access the old books (+ some useful resources)
https://www.biochemtuition.com/edexcel-c1-book-and-solution-bank/

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 4

NanaA23432

OP

13

Original post by syedronaldo

work from day one. Should be fine :smile:

Ok thanks

Reply 5

NanaA23432

OP

13

Original post by Sonicalireza

Any gcse to a level is a jump just depends how much you work for it when doing the a level that's how you decide if it's easy or hard if you did gcse further maths that has some aspects of AS maths from what I heard so it should be a smaller jump fortunately for me I got a 9 in maths and A* in further maths and am going a level next year :smile:

but like syedronaldo says work from day one and you'll be sure to be fine

Ok thank you ^^

Reply 6

NanaA23432

OP

13

Original post by RosieMedic

Yes and no...

Algebra is always pretty standard, you gradually develop this over C1-C4.
You know some topics, and you are just taught a bit more about them from what you knew in GCSEs.
You are introduced into some new topics as well but its all pretty basic to begin with.

However, I think the hardest bit is continuing to practise different types of questions (so keeping up with the workload) and once you know the basics, learning the harder stuff + applying (happens a lot in C3 and C4)

If you want to get a head start that would be a great idea.
Use physicsandmathstutor for resources later on
And use this website to access the old books (+ some useful resources)
https://www.biochemtuition.com/edexcel-c1-book-and-solution-bank/

Ok thank you ^^

Reply 7

Student1191

21

Original post by NanaA23432

*from
I got a 6 in my GCSE and I struggled a bit but I will work hard and get help also tutoring, along the way to achieve a good grade.

B is recommended for the student to be capable in the subject at a level so you're good. But just like every other subject it is a big jump

Reply 8

NanaA23432

OP

13

Original post by Reece.W.J

B is recommended for the student to be capable in the subject at a level so you're good. But just like every other subject it is a big jump

Ok thanks~ ^^

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 9

ANM775

20

Original post by RosieMedic

Yes and no...

Algebra is always pretty standard, you gradually develop this over C1-C4.
You know some topics, and you are just taught a bit more about them from what you knew in GCSEs.
You are introduced into some new topics as well but its all pretty basic to begin with.

However, I think the hardest bit is continuing to practise different types of questions (so keeping up with the workload) and once you know the basics, learning the harder stuff + applying (happens a lot in C3 and C4)

If you want to get a head start that would be a great idea.
Use physicsandmathstutor for resources later on
And use this website to access the old books (+ some useful resources)
https://www.biochemtuition.com/edexcel-c1-book-and-solution-bank/

I had a look at one of the papers.. :s-smilie:

honestly, ..apart from being a maths teacher what professions will actually require the learner to use any of that stuff in their day to day job?

Reply 10

neyscar

10

There is quite a big jump in my experience but don't worry too much. I was in a fast-track group that did GCSE Maths early and we all got an A* without really even trying but the minute A-Level Maths started, it became clear that we weren't all getting consistent top grades anymore, especially for the people who started to discover which subjects they wanted to specialise in and focused a bit more on them rather than Maths. Just stay committed to it and you'll be fine, practise is key! A-Level Maths is also far more interesting because you learn about ideas that you literally never knew existed and it can be pretty cool. You'll do great!

Reply 11

username3482522

17

Original post by ANM775

I had a look at one of the papers.. :s-smilie:

honestly, ..apart from being a maths teacher what professions will actually require the learner to use any of that stuff in their day to day job?

The profession of "attempting to solve at least one of the Millennium Prize Problems".

Reply 12

Mesopotamian…

21

This is gonna sound stupid of me but I feel like getting top marks in maths GCSE was actually harder for me than getting it at A Level - but that's probably because I didnt do much past papers at GCSE. Just work hard, do all the excersies in the book, do past papers and ask for help from teachers when need be and you'll be fine. If you do that then you probably won't see much of a huge jump. (And this is coming from someone who worries about grades a lot :redface:

)

Reply 13

TeacherP

9

Original post by ANM775

honestly, ..apart from being a maths teacher what professions will actually require the learner to use any of that stuff in their day to day job?

Engineering.

In fact, there's not nearly enough maths in A level for Engineers who, basically, need an A/A* at A level to even start on the maths they need for their day jobs.

Maths is the tool of the engineer.

Reply 14

Bla1287

13

Original post by Sonicalireza

Any gcse to a level is a jump just depends how much you work for it when doing the a level that's how you decide if it's easy or hard if you did gcse further maths that has some aspects of AS maths from what I heard so it should be a smaller jump fortunately for me I got a 9 in maths and A* in further maths and am going a level next year :smile:

but like syedronaldo says work from day one and you'll be sure to be fine

hey I got a 9 in maths too but we werent offered further maths :/ Are you planning on doing further maths at A level ?

Reply 15

Sonicalireza

13

Original post by Bla1287

hey I got a 9 in maths too but we werent offered further maths :/ Are you planning on doing further maths at A level ?

Yep I'm doing further at a level along with maths, physics and computing. I've heard many school with people who are amazing at maths e.g. yourself and is capable of getting a 9 yet they don't do further maths at gcse even though it is a great gcse which I find really stupid as you guys miss out on it.

Reply 16

username2692395

17

Short answer: Yes, there is a big jump.

Reply 17

Bla1287

13

Original post by Sonicalireza

Yep I'm doing further at a level along with maths, physics and computing. I've heard many school with people who are amazing at maths e.g. yourself and is capable of getting a 9 yet they don't do further maths at gcse even though it is a great gcse which I find really stupid as you guys miss out on it.