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Is it possible to do A-Level Maths in just 3 months?
In a nutshell....
I currently work in media (have done for 2 years) but looking at a career change where it seems a maths qualification (A-Level is key).
Now I'm not stupid at maths but I haven't used it in ages either.
So assuming I study like mad, (i.e. a few hours every day and most weekends), would it be possible to enter myself in the June exams and get the required grades - i.e. B and above? (Taking all 6 units)?
Or is this time frame just totally bonkers and I should be aiming for January entry? Bare in mind, I am not studdying anything else, it will just be purely maths and I have all the time in the world to do it too!
I currently work in media (have done for 2 years) but looking at a career change where it seems a maths qualification (A-Level is key).
Now I'm not stupid at maths but I haven't used it in ages either.
So assuming I study like mad, (i.e. a few hours every day and most weekends), would it be possible to enter myself in the June exams and get the required grades - i.e. B and above? (Taking all 6 units)?
Or is this time frame just totally bonkers and I should be aiming for January entry? Bare in mind, I am not studdying anything else, it will just be purely maths and I have all the time in the world to do it too!
Scroll to see replies
Its possible, but what did you get at GCSE? Thats the starting point really.
C1 C2 are ok.
C3, C4 will take alot of work
Then probably do
D1 and S1 is your best bet.
Also if your doing it openly it may be a good idea to choose the easiest exam board? Im on OCR but thats usually not the easiest
Realistically i would say do 3 in June, 3 in January.
C1 C2 are ok.
C3, C4 will take alot of work
Then probably do
D1 and S1 is your best bet.
Also if your doing it openly it may be a good idea to choose the easiest exam board? Im on OCR but thats usually not the easiest
Realistically i would say do 3 in June, 3 in January.
Really useful.
At GCSE I got a B grade.
Since then I did A-Levels and then of course uni and now have work experience. I have all the required skills sets to move into this new career except the qualification to show I'm not stupid at Math!
Out of interest, what is considered the "easiest" exam board.
I think it's a great point what you say about doing the AS level in 3 months and then completing the A Level in January.
I guess my problem is that I'm desperate to get this qualification quickly but I too felt doing both the A/S and A Level might just be pushing it a little too far for 3 months.
At GCSE I got a B grade.
Since then I did A-Levels and then of course uni and now have work experience. I have all the required skills sets to move into this new career except the qualification to show I'm not stupid at Math!
Out of interest, what is considered the "easiest" exam board.
I think it's a great point what you say about doing the AS level in 3 months and then completing the A Level in January.
I guess my problem is that I'm desperate to get this qualification quickly but I too felt doing both the A/S and A Level might just be pushing it a little too far for 3 months.
Il get flamed big time for this but i always thought Edexcel wasnt too bad. OCR and OCR MEI just dont bother. When i say Edexcel i did business in it and it was an epic joke.
I wouldnt do it all in June, then you would just get CCCCCC, instead of concentrating on just three and getting BBB+. Its still a big step as you will know from your other a levels, and can take a few months to just get up to the standard. But personally, maths is my strong point and C1, C2 and S1 are very easy. Just do that then you already have an AS in Maths. So you can tell an employer your doing A2 in Jan 2011?
Hope this helps
I wouldnt do it all in June, then you would just get CCCCCC, instead of concentrating on just three and getting BBB+. Its still a big step as you will know from your other a levels, and can take a few months to just get up to the standard. But personally, maths is my strong point and C1, C2 and S1 are very easy. Just do that then you already have an AS in Maths. So you can tell an employer your doing A2 in Jan 2011?
Hope this helps
Will - thank you.
I think what you say is spot on. If I can at least get the A/S under my belt than I'm half way there. And that might be enough to at least get a foot in the door. Ideally I want to do the Insurance qualification too (I'm looking at going into Underwriting).
So you think going for the Edexcel and doing C1 C2 and S1 is doable for 3 months? If so I might book in the exams this week (assuming there is no deadline!)
Thnaks again mate - it's really useful.
I think what you say is spot on. If I can at least get the A/S under my belt than I'm half way there. And that might be enough to at least get a foot in the door. Ideally I want to do the Insurance qualification too (I'm looking at going into Underwriting).
So you think going for the Edexcel and doing C1 C2 and S1 is doable for 3 months? If so I might book in the exams this week (assuming there is no deadline!)
Thnaks again mate - it's really useful.
Deadline is coming up soon ish. I would ask others about the exam boards but i have heard they are ok.
Maybe look on the websites for each exam board and looks at some past papers and see if you think it looks ok.
I like OCR, always very structured but challenging. I believe Edexcel is written with lines for answers in a big booklet, while OCR is just a piece of paper and a booklet for yourself, with nothing written on it.
Im biased to OCR but having experience in it, i would do them, NOT MEI, just OCR. C1, doddle, C2, ok abit awkward, S1, rather nice, but may take a bit of thinking to understand. C3, is hell, cant stand it, but very doable with practise. C4, if you put alot of effort in you will do fine, its the same questions over and over again.
As your aiming for a B this is very doable.
So i would say do OCR, revision guides are well structured and it comes down more to the effort you put in for revision rather than ability to answer questions, if you wanted A* abit different, but for a B just work hard!
Hope this helps
Oh and D1 is the biggest joke for a module ever! You should do very well in this!
So in summary
In June 2010
C1
C2
S1/D1
Then you have an AS in Maths
I would consider D1 as its a bit easier than S1, and you may find yourself not needing A2 depending what job you get? So D1 helps boost the mark
Jan 2011
C3
C4
S1/D1
If you like Mechanics do that but its harder than D1, and then really depends if you prefer forces to probabilities?
Hope it helped.
Edit : With OCR i can not understand something, but if you do EVERY past paper you can find, you cover 90% of the questions, just different numbers are put in!
The 10% is always something aweful, usually last two questions. Im on FP2 at the moment and the first question is a struggle lol!
Maybe look on the websites for each exam board and looks at some past papers and see if you think it looks ok.
I like OCR, always very structured but challenging. I believe Edexcel is written with lines for answers in a big booklet, while OCR is just a piece of paper and a booklet for yourself, with nothing written on it.
Im biased to OCR but having experience in it, i would do them, NOT MEI, just OCR. C1, doddle, C2, ok abit awkward, S1, rather nice, but may take a bit of thinking to understand. C3, is hell, cant stand it, but very doable with practise. C4, if you put alot of effort in you will do fine, its the same questions over and over again.
As your aiming for a B this is very doable.
So i would say do OCR, revision guides are well structured and it comes down more to the effort you put in for revision rather than ability to answer questions, if you wanted A* abit different, but for a B just work hard!
Hope this helps
Oh and D1 is the biggest joke for a module ever! You should do very well in this!
So in summary
In June 2010
C1
C2
S1/D1
Then you have an AS in Maths
I would consider D1 as its a bit easier than S1, and you may find yourself not needing A2 depending what job you get? So D1 helps boost the mark
Jan 2011
C3
C4
S1/D1
If you like Mechanics do that but its harder than D1, and then really depends if you prefer forces to probabilities?
Hope it helped.
Edit : With OCR i can not understand something, but if you do EVERY past paper you can find, you cover 90% of the questions, just different numbers are put in!
The 10% is always something aweful, usually last two questions. Im on FP2 at the moment and the first question is a struggle lol!
sasman
In a nutshell....
I currently work in media (have done for 2 years) but looking at a career change where it seems a maths qualification (A-Level is key).
Now I'm not stupid at maths but I haven't used it in ages either.
So assuming I study like mad, (i.e. a few hours every day and most weekends), would it be possible to enter myself in the June exams and get the required grades - i.e. B and above? (Taking all 6 units)?
Or is this time frame just totally bonkers and I should be aiming for January entry? Bare in mind, I am not studdying anything else, it will just be purely maths and I have all the time in the world to do it too!
I currently work in media (have done for 2 years) but looking at a career change where it seems a maths qualification (A-Level is key).
Now I'm not stupid at maths but I haven't used it in ages either.
So assuming I study like mad, (i.e. a few hours every day and most weekends), would it be possible to enter myself in the June exams and get the required grades - i.e. B and above? (Taking all 6 units)?
Or is this time frame just totally bonkers and I should be aiming for January entry? Bare in mind, I am not studdying anything else, it will just be purely maths and I have all the time in the world to do it too!
If you do I would recommend using livemaths.co.uk it might be useful. Helped me anyway
sasman
Seriously Will, I can not thank you enough for your input.
It was a mine field to me yesterday and now I have a direction to go for.
Thank you, it's really appreciated.
It was a mine field to me yesterday and now I have a direction to go for.
Thank you, it's really appreciated.
+rep is your friend
Nah its interesting to see everyones situation.
The link someone else has just given shows the topics involved, but it looks expensive.
Get on ebay, buy yourself a C1,C2 and D1 revision book, not the official ocr one, its hell, get CGP i think (its to the point, no messing around with various stuff)???. Just use the revision guides and download all the past papers! The OCR official book is unreadable, and the questions are nothing like the ones in the exam!
Hope you do well, just drop a PM if you need any advice.
Im through and through maths at the moment, rather sad haha!
Good Luck!
Actually for D1 you will need the official ocr book, its so easy it doesnt need a revision guide. You can learn it from that book, its only like 100 pages, the others are massive so use CGP for them modules!
Reply 12
You could do Access maths if you just need a level 3 qualification. It's only a year long couse, but you could probably do it quicker. Also, it's probably easier then A-levels.
What career are you hoping to enter if you don't mind me asking?
What career are you hoping to enter if you don't mind me asking?
sasman
Really useful.
At GCSE I got a B grade.
Since then I did A-Levels and then of course uni and now have work experience. I have all the required skills sets to move into this new career except the qualification to show I'm not stupid at Math!
Out of interest, what is considered the "easiest" exam board.
I think it's a great point what you say about doing the AS level in 3 months and then completing the A Level in January.
I guess my problem is that I'm desperate to get this qualification quickly but I too felt doing both the A/S and A Level might just be pushing it a little too far for 3 months.
At GCSE I got a B grade.
Since then I did A-Levels and then of course uni and now have work experience. I have all the required skills sets to move into this new career except the qualification to show I'm not stupid at Math!
Out of interest, what is considered the "easiest" exam board.
I think it's a great point what you say about doing the AS level in 3 months and then completing the A Level in January.
I guess my problem is that I'm desperate to get this qualification quickly but I too felt doing both the A/S and A Level might just be pushing it a little too far for 3 months.
The easiest will be different for different people in my opinion. It depends what section of maths you enjoy more as some boards may test different areas more etc.
Also if you want an A i would go for the AS in june then A2 in jan. If you want a B you could take it in June.
How much work can you put to it in the next three months? Hours per week?
Reply 15
Anyone giving advice based on how easy they found it is pointless.
Far too many variables to put a time frame on anything.
People just have to start things and see where they go based on ability, motivation, time available, resources at hand and so on.
Basing any decision on what someone else states is not worth it.
My brother did his maths A level in 8 weeks, he took 4 years to get an A level in English. He is English too and has no SEN.
Pick up a book, see where it takes you in terms of your desire and ability and make a judgement from there.
People stating things are "easy" is a joke and helps nobody.
Far too many variables to put a time frame on anything.
People just have to start things and see where they go based on ability, motivation, time available, resources at hand and so on.
Basing any decision on what someone else states is not worth it.
My brother did his maths A level in 8 weeks, he took 4 years to get an A level in English. He is English too and has no SEN.
Pick up a book, see where it takes you in terms of your desire and ability and make a judgement from there.
People stating things are "easy" is a joke and helps nobody.
beta120
Anyone giving advice based on how easy they found it is pointless.
Far too many variables to put a time frame on anything.
People just have to start things and see where they go based on ability, motivation, time available, resources at hand and so on.
Basing any decision on what someone else states is not worth it.
My brother did his maths A level in 8 weeks, he took 4 years to get an A level in English. He is English too and has no SEN.
Pick up a book, see where it takes you in terms of your desire and ability and make a judgement from there.
People stating things are "easy" is a joke and helps nobody.
Far too many variables to put a time frame on anything.
People just have to start things and see where they go based on ability, motivation, time available, resources at hand and so on.
Basing any decision on what someone else states is not worth it.
My brother did his maths A level in 8 weeks, he took 4 years to get an A level in English. He is English too and has no SEN.
Pick up a book, see where it takes you in terms of your desire and ability and make a judgement from there.
People stating things are "easy" is a joke and helps nobody.
He has asked people for advice, the only advice we have is how we found it. Personally im in a similar situation, im only studyding English lit besides maths. So considering hes got all the time in the world, he should find it quite easy. I would say break them into AS and A2 though, that is, do the exams in two sittings.
If you have nothing helpful to say, dont contribute.
Reply 17
Scabo0o
If you have nothing helpful to say, dont contribute.
If you have nothing helpful to say, dont contribute.
It is helpful. As you overlooked the crux of it......
Dont base your decision on that of people sitting behind PCs saying how easy things and listening to anecdotal accounts which are often laced with inaccuracies.
So, I go back to my point.
Pick up a book, see how it pans out and start making decisions from there and assess what YOU have to do to get where YOU need to go.
So why didnt you get an A level in maths aged 8? others have so you should be able to right?
Reply 18
possible
but hard
(depends if your doing just AS or whole A2)
but it reality if you got a B at GCSE you will find A-level maths very hard, especially if your cramming it into such a short time period...
but hard
(depends if your doing just AS or whole A2)
but it reality if you got a B at GCSE you will find A-level maths very hard, especially if your cramming it into such a short time period...
Reply 19
If you got a B at GCSE I doubt you'd be able to get a B or above at A level if you take all 6 modules in June...you would most probably fail...I'm not being mean there, just realistic. I mean with teacher's help it takes most people 2 years to get a B or above in maths. It's a huge step up from GCSE. At a push you might be able to do C1, C2 and D1 in June but it will be a hard hard slog. I don't think people have quite emphasised how hard it will be particularly if you've not done maths for a while.
In terms of exam boards go for AQA or Edexcel which are known for producing slightly easier exams than OCR and OCR MEI for maths. There will be practise papers on most of these exam boards' websites...actually the downside to Edexcel is that you can't get the past exam papers off their website...I think that's the case (correct me if I'm wrong there guys).
I wish you luck in whatever you decide to do.
In terms of exam boards go for AQA or Edexcel which are known for producing slightly easier exams than OCR and OCR MEI for maths. There will be practise papers on most of these exam boards' websites...actually the downside to Edexcel is that you can't get the past exam papers off their website...I think that's the case (correct me if I'm wrong there guys).
I wish you luck in whatever you decide to do.
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