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Further Maths in one year?

Ok so I am starting A2 this year after some promising AS results and I'm looking to take further maths to A2 from nothing alongside A2 maths.
I'm also taking forward my 4 previous AS' in maths, bio, physics and chemistry and in them I got: maths 290/300 c1:100 c2:93 m1:97, bio 91%, physics 92% and chemistry 94%. I'm thinking of doing FP1, FP2, FP3, M2, M3 and S2 as to give myself 5 shots at 90+ UMS and I have already covered the content of FP1.
I also have a job and work part time, but I'm willing to give this up if neccasary and also to get a tutor for f maths. Atm I'm thinking to do M2 and M3 whilst were doing C3 in class then move on to FP2 and FP3 during C4 (can someone confirm that you can do FP2 and FP3 as part of Further maths A2) and doing S2 shortly after/ during S1.
How plausible does this sound? I'm also incredibly lazy and last year wasted all my study sessions messing about but I think this year I will commit myself. Please also give any advice in regards to how to do this.

(edited 8 years ago)

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Reply 1

lizard54142

Original post by Nathanbh321

I did this, self studied FM in one year. My advice would be to start as soon as possible, don't waste any time at all. It will become a struggle with the more difficult modules if you are trying to cram 3 in one term. You clearly have the ability so I say go for it, just stay focused.

The only module requirements for FM are FP1 and FP2, so any other modules can make up the other 4 (except C1-C4 obviously).

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 2

Nathanbh321

Original post by lizard54142

Do you mind if I ask what grade you got, how many hours you did per week on further maths and roughly when you had the units done by?

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 3

lizard54142

Original post by Nathanbh321

Do you mind if I ask what grade you got, how many hours you did per week on further maths and roughly when you had the units done by?

I got an A* in Further Maths. I spent about 3 hours each day on Further Maths at home/at school, probably more closer to exams. I managed to do 2 units per term, excluding FP3 which I gave myself a whole term to learn because it was the hardest module (I did FP1 in AS).

I also self taught C4 as I needed it for FP2/FP3 and the pace it was covered at in class was too slow for me. You might want to do the same if you are being taught C4 alongside your Further Maths study.

I also did STEP... you didn't mention whether you are considering doing this so I haven't touched on it. Let me know if you are.

Reply 4

cheshiremum

My son did A2 Maths in one year, alongside 3 ASs. He dropped his fourth subject, but then did Physics and Chemistry to A2, with FMaths to A2, plus three spare modules so an AS in additional FMaths. He didn't have to self-study, and he did put in a lot of hours during the week, but still had time for some sport and socialising, tho not a part-time job.

Does your school not offer FMaths? Would your school help you in any way? You might consider D1 and D2 - they're pretty straightforward. Also, is there a particular reason you want to do all these subjects and give yourself such a workload? Think about whether the extra revision might threaten your chances of doing well - i.e. would you lose out on some A*s by going for so many A2s? Most people continue with three subjects, you are considering continuing with four, and adding a whole extra A2. Do you need to?

Reply 5

Ayman!

Do you really need both biology AND further maths along with your other subjects? You should consider dropping one if possible. On the other hand, doing FM in one year is very possible (many people have done it and I'm doing it myself) but make sure you cover C3 and C4 way ahead.

Reply 6

Nathanbh321

[QUOTE=aymanzayedmannan;59114835]Do you really need both biology AND further maths along with your other subjects? You should consider dropping one if possible. On the other hand, doing FM in one year is very possible (many people have done it and I'm doing it myself) but make sure you cover C3 and C4 way ahead.
It's just that with 91% from AS and 100% in the coursework I only need 62% average for an A at A2 and I'd be a fool to throw that opportunity away

Reply 7

Nathanbh321

[QUOTE=cheshiremum;59105605]My son did A2 Maths in one year, alongside 3 ASs. He dropped his fourth subject, but then did Physics and Chemistry to A2, with FMaths to A2, plus three spare modules so an AS in additional FMaths. He didn't have to self-study, and he did put in a lot of hours during the week, but still had time for some sport and socialising, tho not a part-time job.

Does your school not offer FMaths? Would your school help you in any way? You might consider D1 and D2 - they're pretty straightforward. Also, is there a particular reason you want to do all these subjects and give yourself such a workload? Think about whether the extra revision might threaten your chances of doing well - i.e. would you lose out on some A*s by going for so many A2s? Most people continue with three subjects, you are considering continuing with four, and adding a whole extra A2. Do you need to?
Yeah I quit my part time job as to give myself time for the course, but I don't think the extra work load will cause me to miss out on A*s because realisistically I'm not going to get an A* in biology, but I would have to self study the whole course, do you think this would be a major disadvantage?

Reply 8

cheshiremum

Original post by Nathanbh321

Yeah I quit my part time job as to give myself time for the course, but I don't think the extra work load will cause me to miss out on A*s because realisistically I'm not going to get an A* in biology, but I would have to self study the whole course, do you think this would be a major disadvantage?

I still think it's a lot of extra work - do you need to do biology? My son had zero 'free' lessons apart from Wednesday afternoons, and he was doing less than that. Self study...depends on just how good you are at Maths I think...could you at least have a word with your Maths teachers and see what they think? If they think you could cope, maybe they could suggest a schedule for your self study, and possibly set some homework and mark it for you?

Reply 9

kidjim

hi, i am considering doing further maths intensive this year. fp1 fp2 fp3 m2 s2 d1, i have got a B grade over all in alevel maths however my c3 c4 are A*s the reason i got a B grade overall is that i messed up s1 and c2. i will be retaking s1 and c2 to get the A* in maths overall. is intensive further maths in 1 year really hard, will i be able to get an A grade overall or should i just forget about it.

Reply 10

lizard54142

Original post by kidjim

I would not recommend doing it if you got a B grade in Maths. Do you need the full A-Level, or could you just do it to AS?

That being said it is entirely possible if you have the ability and dedication.

Reply 11

username1763791

I am doing this this year as well, applying *hopefully* to Cambridge for Maths by finishing my A2 in Maths this year (C3, C4, S1) and doing FP1, FP2, FP3, M2, M3 and S2 for FM although I have already covered the content for FP1, FP2, C3, C4 and pretty much all of the S1 as well. I have two part time jobs at the moment, and I have a tutor that I'm paying for once a week for the FM (which does help a LOT with the time constraints and everything..)

It's cool to see someone else in my predicament :lol:

Reply 12

username1763791

Original post by lizard54142

Hey, I'm doing the same and sitting at least STEP I/II this year (maybe III if I get an offer from Cambridge or somewhere asks for it..), how did you handle everything? Do you have any helpful tips? lol

Reply 13

L'Evil Fish

It's what people normally do.

No need to quit your job at all, easily done tbh.

F Maths is quite nice at A Level in that you could just learn the stuff and practise a couple months before the exams

Reply 14

username1763791

Original post by L'Evil Fish

It's what people normally do.

No need to quit your job at all, easily done tbh.

F Maths is quite nice at A Level in that you could just learn the stuff and practise a couple months before the exams

He hasn't covered C3/C4 yet though so he'll need to put a little more time into it at the start probs

Reply 15

lizard54142

Original post by Jordan\

Biggest tip is start as soon as possible... I was cramming at the end and finished learning NM three days before the exam (probably why I did badly in it). Start learning them NOW, time is your worst enemy. In your case I would learn all the "pure" modules one after another, then all the mechanics modules etc (obviously in whatever order you like). Make sure you do at least one past paper a week on all the modules you have done so far two months before exams, so they are all fresh in your mind. Don't learn a module in the first term and never touch it til a week before exam!

For each module I made a mini "revision guide" covering the main points. I read these each day prior to exams to keep all the techniques fresh in my mind.

Your biggest hurdle is STEP. Start papers NOW, I only started properly three months before and it really was a struggle...

Reply 16

username1763791

Original post by lizard54142

I've just started FP3 so I'll hopefully be finished all of the modules I need by February, or thereabouts, so I can focus on STEP from there on out, although I think I will start properly in the next couple of weeks, too. How did you do in step?