Maths and Further Maths.

Hello.
I've just finished my gcses and am going to start A levels in September 2005. I am taking Chemistry, Economics, Maths and History( I want to study economics later on at uni) and General studies (because the school forces to do) However the school offers also kinda Double Maths( maths and further maths). Both include AS and A2 levels. I ve heard Further Maths is very good for economics at uni and during uni application. But the question is whether 5 AS levels (Chem, Economics, History, Maths and General studies) plus one other AS level (Further maths). I will probably drop Chemistry in my second year and carry on with maths, history, economics and further maths (if it isnt too hard). Do you think it is manageable? Hard? Do you think it even worths it? As far as I know 3 A levels plus AS level are enough.

Reply 1

-G-a-v-

16

Further Maths is definitely worth it. I don't know how relevant it is to economics at Uni, but further maths its a brilliant A-level to do. If you enjoy maths, further maths is a must irrespective of how useful it is for economics.

Reply 2

henryt

17

In the A-level pack we were given, it said the Futher Maths was pretty much a must for University, but had no real relevance to the more verbal A-level, so if you are doing Economics or PPE etc. you should try and fit the amount of subjects you feel comfortable with around Double Maths.

And if you enjoy maths, it'll be doubly rewarding :wink:

.

Reply 3

Mittal

2

Further math is very useful and goes well with the normal math course, but if you ask me: Its a waste of time.

Much of it can be self taught.

Reply 4

stoney

12

Mittal

Further math is very useful and goes well with the normal math course, but if you ask me: Its a waste of time.

Much of it can be self taught.

i agree whole heartedly, no uni's ask for it specifically (for most things anyways) and it would look good in any personal statement if you could talk about teaching yourself the topics covered in futher maths out of interest.

Reply 5

gwright

I've yet to start Further Maths (just done the full A-level Maths in one year) and so far it's been pretty easy.

Go for it.

Reply 6

*River

15

I'd start with the further maths, and if it gets too much you can always drop a subject!

Reply 7

Aceofspades2345

5

OK, first of all, disregard General Studies from your mind. It's not a real A-level, you won't get any homework from it and is not credited by Universities unless they are appauling.

Secondly, I did the maths A-level last year and didn't find it too hard (I'm trying to say it was easy without jinxing the results). I enjoyed it immensely and am looking forward to F.Maths next year. I would suggest that you take it because it's fun, useful for your course, and will make you more employable (on top of your degree). Also, if you're good at maths, the normal A-level has descended so much in difficulty as to require you to do little homework through the year and minimal revision at exam times and still breese to an A, so don't worry about the workload (I do four other A-levels as well as F.Maths and General studies without too much trouble and I'm certainly not a genius by any stretch of the imagination).

Reply 8

ssmoose

13

Further math is very useful and goes well with the normal math course, but if you ask me: Its a waste of time.

Much of it can be self taught.

Which A Level can't be self taught? It's only a waste of time if you apply to a course that says: maths and further maths will not be accepted as 2 a level grades.

Reply 9

kellywood_5

17

You won't actually need further maths for an economics degree, but if you really enjoy maths and get an A* or an A in it at GCSE, there's no harm taking it. 5 proper ASs will be a lot of work, but as long as you make good use of your free periods and stick to deadlines, it should be OK, and you can always drop one if it's too much.

Reply 10

Charlottie

12

In my AS year I took, Maths, Further Maths, French, History and English Lit. I was also forced to do General Studies - without the lessons, until I put my foot down and flat out refused to do it. Have you tried arguing it with your school or college? I find the best arguments for me were: 'Why do I need 6?', and 'My University choices do NOT accept General Studies' although I did consider, 'I understand that you get money for it, but surely me getting 5 good grades is better publicity than me getting 6 crap ones because I was overworked?'. My method worked, and if it doesn't try this - just don't turn up to the exams, and refuse to claim General Studies as an A-Level. General Studies is only compulsory because the school makes it so, nothing is actually compulsory.

I found Further Maths demoralising. I was very good at Maths throughout school and enjoyed it, but A-level was different. I was still good at Maths, but Further Maths confused me because we didn't take modules in order. I used to be an all-rounder academically, but over sixth form my artistic side has become much more prominent and I had to work harder in Maths than in English. For you (you seem scientifically sided?) it may be different.

Due to the stupid module order, my entire class (a massive three) failed Further Maths AS, we all also have an A in Single Maths. I found it entirely demoralising and dropped it. My friend carried on and her grade is now up to an A - she's doing Maths at Uni in the Autumn.

I didn't do as well in my AS Levels as expected. Instead of AAAAA as predicted, I got AABBU. Maybe I was overworked, but I had time for everything. Instead, I think the jump was just bigger than I thought. Had I stuck with Further Maths (and put the time in, as it does take up lots of time) I'd have a grade in it. I also think that my strengths and interests changed. I got a B in French, when I wanted to take Spanish - a language I enjoy more. I am positive that had I done Spanish, I would have got an A.

I'm babbling, but it's doable, and if you enjoy the subjects there's no reason why it shouldn't work out well.

EDIT:
My maths, an A, was P1, M1 & S1.
My further maths was P4, S2 (which I did well in!) & M3

The second year was;
Maths: P2, P3, M2
Further Maths: P5, P6, M4

This year, pupils at my school get:
Maths: C1-4, S1, S2
F.Maths: FP1,2,3, M1, D1, M2

With those modules, I'd have done much better. With so many different combinations, have a look at what your school/college offers, and make sure it's right for you. :smile:

Reply 11

Featherflare

Do Further Maths because it's fun, single maths is boring.

Reply 12

~Bex~

14

Charlottie

In my AS year I took, Maths, Further Maths, French, History and English Lit. I was also forced to do General Studies - without the lessons, until I put my foot down and flat out refused to do it. Have you tried arguing it with your school or college? I find the best arguments for me were: 'Why do I need 6?', and 'My University choices do NOT accept General Studies' although I did consider, 'I understand that you get money for it, but surely me getting 5 good grades is better publicity than me getting 6 crap ones because I was overworked?'. My method worked, and if it doesn't try this - just don't turn up to the exams, and refuse to claim General Studies as an A-Level. General Studies is only compulsory because the school makes it so, nothing is actually compulsory.

Actually its compulsory to study key skills for one hour per week, and so lots of schools decide to do it as general studies because then at least people get sort of a qualification out of it. (Although even though its compulsory alot of schools ignore it)

Reply 13

Featherflare

~Bex~

Actually its compulsory to study key skills for one hour per week, and so lots of schools decide to do it as general studies because then at least people get sort of a qualification out of it. (Although even though its compulsory alot of schools ignore it)

I don't do Key Skills or General Studies or any of that mumbo jumbo :p:

Reply 14

kellywood_5

17

~Bex~

(Although even though its compulsory alot of schools ignore it)

Like mine

Reply 15

~Bex~

14

Featherflare

I don't do Key Skills or General Studies or any of that mumbo jumbo :p:

Like I said, alot of schools ignore it. Also, it's only compulsory if you go to a school sixth form (kinda like PE), so if you go to a college then it aint compulsory.

Reply 16

Charlottie

12

~Bex~

Actually its compulsory to study key skills for one hour per week, and so lots of schools decide to do it as general studies because then at least people get sort of a qualification out of it. (Although even though its compulsory alot of schools ignore it)

Not really. Isn't key skills only compulsory if you didn't get A-C at GCSE in the Cores and ICT? Nothing is really compulsory, because after y11 it's your choice to be there.

Reply 17

Charlottie

12

PE is compulsory? They forgot to tell us that then.

Reply 18

~Bex~

14

Charlottie

Not really. Isn't key skills only compulsory if you didn't get A-C at GCSE in the Cores and ICT? Nothing is really compulsory, because after y11 it's your choice to be there.

No, they actually are compulsory lol, and yes, PE is also compulsory, you're meant to do 2 hours a week (although at my school they only make you do 1 hour even though were a specialist sports college! ).

Reply 19

Featherflare

Well i do go to a sixth form, but i agree some schools ignore it. I wouldnt call it compulsory at all. I don't think key skills is related to how well you do at GCSE's, but im pretty sure that people without 5 A*-Cs in my school are only allowed to do 3 AS's and have to do critical thinking as a 4th

Maths and Further Maths.

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