Further Maths

How long do you predict it would take an average student

to self teach FP1, M1 and D1/M2. Separately. If you've taught yourself any of these modules, how long did it take you to self teach?

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Reply 1

Flauta

Original post by oneabdi

How long do you predict it would take an average student

to self teach FP1, M1 and D1/M2. Separately. If you've taught yourself any of these modules, how long did it take you to self teach?

It took me around three hours a day for two weeks to teach myself FP1 and another two weeks for D1. I didn't have the textbooks so I read online notes and wrote my own and then did every past paper question on that topic I had access to.

Reply 2

Old_Simon

The spec suggests 65 hours per module. Your mileage may differ but a couple of weeks hard graft per module should do it.

Reply 3

oneabdi

Original post by Flauta

Did you do online notes for D1 as well? How difficult was it learning the topics? What did you do if you didn't understand a topic??

Reply 4

TenOfThem

Original post by oneabdi

How long do you predict it would take an average student

to self teach FP1, M1 and D1/M2. Separately. If you've taught yourself any of these modules, how long did it take you to self teach?

I would expect an average student to find Further Maths virtually impossible to self teach

Reply 5

BankOfPigs

Original post by TenOfThem

I would expect an average student to find Further Maths virtually impossible to self teach

Are you sure? For further maths As, there is a huge amount of resources online, including a whole number of textbooks and also potential friends they could ask.

The subject I don't think gets sufficiently difficult to day it would be 'impossible ' to self teach.

Reply 6

Flauta

Original post by oneabdi

Did you do online notes for D1 as well? How difficult was it learning the topics? What did you do if you didn't understand a topic??

Yeah for both. It wasn't too bad I just cut the specification into little chunks and focused on just one section at a time. If I didn't understand something I went to ask my teacher but she wasn't really much help so I had to soldier on. Of course I didn't have TSR back then, if I didn't understand how to do a question I might have posted the question in the maths help forum on here.

Reply 7

ETRC

A few months of constant work for each module and loads of questions.
There are some bits in FP1 and M2 which will will find very difficult to understand without a teacher or someone with sufficient knowledge helping you.

And what Tenofthem said.

Reply 8

Old_Simon

Original post by TenOfThem

I would expect an average student to find Further Maths virtually impossible to self teach

I don't agree at all.

Reply 9

Season One

D1/M1 you could probably self teach. FP1 would be difficult and M2 most likely not, no matter how many resources there are on the internet. Well, in my opinion that is. But good luck with it all if you do :smile:

Reply 10

TenOfThem

Original post by Old_Simon

I don't agree at all.

Really?

The average student achieves a grade D+ at GCSE

Unless the OP is referring to an average A Level student - achieving a C+ at A Level

In the first case - I stand by my statement

TBH - even with the second case I think that an "average" student will struggle to self teach FM

Reply 11

Shadoo

Original post by oneabdi

How long do you predict it would take an average student

to self teach FP1, M1 and D1/M2. Separately. If you've taught yourself any of these modules, how long did it take you to self teach?

D1 is easy. d1 can be self taught easily an hour a night for around 2 weeks (self taught it with some second-hand books)

Reply 12

Old_Simon

Original post by TenOfThem

With respect a GCSE Grade D student will not be taking Maths never mind Further Maths. The pass rate at A*A for FM is much higher than it is for straight Maths. There are obvious reasons for that as you know. The term average therefore must be read in context. Maths does not in my experience get harder there is just more of it. (At A level not undergrad). My point is if a student thinks / feels comfortable I would never discourage self learning anything. I appreciate and value the role of good teachers but online resources are changing the whole dynamic of self learning.

Reply 13

Heimdall

D1 is the easiest maths I have encountered, it shouldn't take you long at all.

M1/M2 It will help very much if you have done Physics (At least AS) But again it won't be too hard if you're good with mechanics

not sure about FP1 but I expect 70 hours at max but I would recommend you go to teachers for support (maybe with the bits you find difficult)

Reply 14

TenOfThem

Original post by Old_Simon

With respect a GCSE Grade D student will not be taking Maths never mind Further Maths.

Exactly

The pass rate at A*A for FM is much higher than it is for straight Maths. There are obvious reasons for that as you know. The term average therefore must be read in context.

The OP is asking a question that is too generic to answer - as timings are different for everyone - the OP has tried to limit this generalisation by suggesting he is "average" - surely he realises that is a meaningless description

An "average" student is as I described - A typical FM student is a different kettle of fish

Note - I would never discourage self-teaching either when appropriate - I do discourage the sloppy use of language and mathematical terms

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 15

oneabdi

Original post by TenOfThem

Exactly

The OP is asking a question that is too generic to answer - as timings are different for everyone - the OP has tried to limit this generalisation by suggesting he is "average" - surely he realises that is a meaningless description

An "average" student is as I described - A typical FM student is a different kettle of fish

Note - I would never discourage self-teaching either when appropriate - I do discourage the sloppy use of language and mathematical terms

I got an A in GCSE Maths if that helps.

Reply 16

TenOfThem

Original post by oneabdi

I got an A in GCSE Maths if that helps.

Then you are hardly "average"

Are you in Y12 - in which case what did you get in your Mocks or Y13 - in which case you do not have enough time

Reply 17

Liamnut

Original post by oneabdi

I got an A in GCSE Maths if that helps.

If you're looking for resources:

http://www.hegartymaths.com (should help you with d1)

http://www.examsolutions.net (should help you with the other modules, but doesn't have d1)

In general, I think most people will find d1 easier than m2. Partly because m2 requires knowledge of c3 and c4 and partly because d1 isn't conceptually thar difficult. Of course, it's subjective and if you're looking to do a mathematical course (or a related course) at uni m2 is better preparation.