Is Further Maths actually hard??

Yeah I did OCR MEI, apparently there's a fair bit of a difference in difficulty between the exam boards but idk.

From what I've heard OCR MEI is harder than the rest but I wouldn't know. Haven't looked at the papers.

I did AS+A2 A-level maths last year in year 12 and got an A overall with 90 UMS in C3, so almost an A*.
I got an E in the OCR FSMQ in year 11.

Really I feel A-level maths is just about how many past-papers you can do as long as you have a logically/mathematically inclined mind, as opposed to how one does with GCSE maths.

I got 90 in C3 and an A overall too lol. I think that's true up until the comprehension paper you do in C4 which most of the time is just a mind **** lol.

If you're struggling to get an A* in GCSE Maths then yes, you will find A Level Further Maths (and likely A Level Maths) hard. There is one person in our Further Maths class who didn't get an A* in GCSE Maths and they got a D at AS Further Maths, as an illustration.

Hey I got an A at GCSE

I said "as an illustration". Obviously there will be exceptions!

Hi if your really want to do economics at university then doing Further maths isn't required. Further maths is a lot harder then normal maths and maths is hard. If u planned to have a future in engineering or maths at university then further maths would of been beneficial but as u want to do economics then doing a tough module like further maths is not required.
What you need to realize is that when u start applying to university's the unis will have requirement grades, for eg Queen Mary university of London would want AAA, they will particular ask for economics and maths as compulsory subjects and A grades in, but the 3rd subject could be anything. Getting an A in ancient history would be easier and more relaxing than aiming for an A in Further maths. Doing to much maths could also bore you that's why having ancient history instead could be more relaxing. In A2 u will only need 3 A-levels 4 is a overload, and if u keep maths economics and ancient history would be a good combination. Once again don't over stress yourself with the subjects your picking you can always change once you start sixth form. So you have plenty of times. Hope this helps

I'm assuming you're in year 13? How's it going for you?
Thanks for the tips! I'm definately going to ask if this is possible. I know it is though because I've just done some research and some schools actually make you do a full A-level Maths in one year and Further Maths the second year. I just hope it will fit in with the timetables :/ It's a big leap... So 12 exams the first year for AS Maths?

I'd say you definitely could get an A* if you put the work in. I pushed my baseline of a C to an A over the course of year 11 through hard work.

From what I've seen and heard, Further Maths is only as hard as regular Maths A level, just that because it goes twice as fast as normal maths, it has a lot more work involved.

I wouldn't fret over whether you're going to struggle - my college has entry requirements of B or above for regular Maths AS and everyone's finding it hard, lol.

I would sort of agree. Cambridge marks Further Maths as "Highly Desirable", LSE has it down as "highly preferred", and many other universities have the AS down as helpful. I think he should do Further Maths in the first year and then drop it, but if he doesn't want to go for a necessarily top university then just go for Maths. Either way, don't worry about your A levels they are fine for Economics


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Further maths once you hit A2 gets difficult, whether As is as well depends on the modules you take. I found D1 to be extremely easy (A in year 10) whereas M1 was quite difficult, however if you decide to take physics there is a large amount of overlap between that and M1. I'm taking S1 now and to be honest it's a joke, pretty sure someone could learn it in their sleep.
If you only do it to As I'd suggest doing FP1 (compulsory), D1, S1 to give yourself an easy time. If you're not sure you could always go and talk to your maths teacher?
Good luck with whatever you decide to do