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AQA Level 2 Further Maths IGCSE - How to get an A^ (distinction)?

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Original post by Loci Pi
Yes. For 0, 90, 180, 270, 360, 30, 60 and 45.

You should also be able to sketch the sin, cos and tan graphs and use them to solve problems, such as finding angles in a given interval.

A good way to remember trig values is by using the 45, 45, 90 triangle and the 30, 60, 90 triangle. There are lots of other methods online though.


You only have to know these trig values:
sin(30) = 1/2
sin(45) = 1/root2
sin(60) = root3/2

cos(30) = root3/2
cos(45) = 1/root2
cos(60) = 1/2

tan(30) = 1/root3
tan(45) = 1
tan(60) = root3
Reply 81
Original post by Kronixion
You only have to know these trig values:
sin(30) = 1/2
sin(45) = 1/root2
sin(60) = root3/2

cos(30) = root3/2
cos(45) = 1/root2
cos(60) = 1/2

tan(30) = 1/root3
tan(45) = 1
tan(60) = root3

Yes, but you might need to know the others if you are asked to sketch or use a trig graph.
Original post by Loci Pi
You get a formula sheet in the exam. It has:

Volume of a sphere
Surface area of a sphere

Volume of a cone
Curved surface area of a cone

Area of a triangle using 1/2 ab sinC
Sine rule
Cosine rule (both re-arrangements, to find an angle or a side)

The regular form for a quadratic equation
The quadratic formula

The trig identities:
tan x = sin x / cos x
sin^2 x + cos^2 x = 1
(Note that for the 2nd trig identity, no re-arrangements are given)

The formula sheet can be viewed on the 2nd page of the paper and is online with the sample papers / past papers. The specification is on the AQA website. On TES someone posted a topic list I think. I recommend using GetRevising resources, YouTube and Mr Barton Maths website for help remembering / practising these.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO REMEMBER THAT'S NOT GIVEN:
Pythagoras's theorem
SOHCAHTOA
Trig graphs
Linear / Circle / Quadratic graphs
Completing the square
Trig values (This may come up multiple times)
Matrix multiplication (for 2x2 and 1x1 matrices)
Matrix transformations (Enlargements, reflections and rotations)
Fractions / Decimals / Percentages / Ratios
Functions (including domain and range)
Pi formulas and cylinders
Pythagoras / Trigonometry in 3d
Algebraic Fractions
Inequalities
Algebraic / Geometric proofs (including circle theorems)
1st and 2nd derivative (dy/dx and d^2y/dx^2)
Changing the subject of a formula)
Algebraic sine/cosine rule (including proofs)
Factorising (where a > 1 or with 2 unknowns)
Angle against a plane
Factor theorem
Sketching graphs with minimum / maximum / inflection points)
Simultaneous equations

Don't worry though, it's unlikely that this will all come up.

Good luck for Thursday's exam :smile:


Yeah! i meant those ones
Reply 83
Who wants to do an unofficial mark scheme here for tomorrow? I will be here to discuss the exam at about 4:30 pm.
Reply 84
I probably won't post again before the exam. Good luck for tomorrow, and don't stress for the exam too much. :smile:
Original post by Loci Pi
Who wants to do an unofficial mark scheme here for tomorrow? I will be here to discuss the exam at about 4:30 pm.


The unofficial markschme should be done by then.
How did everyone find the exam?
Reply 87
According to the unofficial mark scheme, I got either 69 marks or 67 marks! :biggrin:
Original post by Loci Pi
According to the unofficial mark scheme, I got either 69 marks or 67 marks! :biggrin:


Can I have the link?

Edit: Don't worry.
(edited 6 years ago)
either 70 marks or 69. Damn i think i forgot to exclude the negative value from x...
Original post by Loci Pi
According to the unofficial mark scheme, I got either 69 marks or 67 marks! :biggrin:


that is soo good, see you were worried about nothing!
also can you send me the link please, i can't seem to find it lol
Reply 91
Original post by Pretish
either 70 marks or 69. Damn i think i forgot to exclude the negative value from x...

That was my mistake too :frown: Hopefully we will get method marks for finding the positive inequality.
Congratulations on such an amazing mark, you will probably only need about 80/105 on Monday's exam for an A^. I personally didn't find the exam too bad, but considering lots of people did, the boundaries will probably be quite low (maybe).
Let's hope for a good calculator paper next week :smile:

What do you think will come up based on what didn't appear yesterday? I think there will be lots of:
Calculus / differentiation
Trig identities
Cosine rule (possibly algebraic)
Matrices with algebra
Circle theorems
Dividing a line in a given ratio
3D Pythagoras and trigonometry
Circles and pi shapes questions
Completing the square / quadratic formula

I don't think there will be many:
Graph sketches
Trig values
Factorising
Surds / rationalising the denominator
Finding angles in a given range
Original post by Loci Pi
That was my mistake too :frown: Hopefully we will get method marks for finding the positive inequality.
Congratulations on such an amazing mark, you will probably only need about 80/105 on Monday's exam for an A^. I personally didn't find the exam too bad, but considering lots of people did, the boundaries will probably be quite low (maybe).
Let's hope for a good calculator paper next week :smile:

What do you think will come up based on what didn't appear yesterday? I think there will be lots of:
Calculus / differentiation
Trig identities
Cosine rule (possibly algebraic)
Matrices with algebra
Circle theorems
Dividing a line in a given ratio
3D Pythagoras and trigonometry
Circles and pi shapes questions
Completing the square / quadratic formula

I don't think there will be many:
Graph sketches
Trig values
Factorising
Surds / rationalising the denominator
Finding angles in a given range


everything will show up :P
Reply 93
Original post by Pretish
everything will show up :P

Yeah basically lol :smile:
The exam did seem a lot more algebraic than usual though, but that's why I think it went well.
Reply 94
Hello everyone, hope you're exam went well :smile:
I was just wondering, could someone tell me the specification code for the exam you took from your timetable? I'm thinking of doing this exam next year but am not sure if I'm capable, so I just wanted to find out more about it and possibly look at some past papers. Thanks :smile:
Reply 95
Original post by Moppet
Hello everyone, hope you're exam went well :smile:
I was just wondering, could someone tell me the specification code for the exam you took from your timetable? I'm thinking of doing this exam next year but am not sure if I'm capable, so I just wanted to find out more about it and possibly look at some past papers. Thanks :smile:

It was 8360, I believe. I only remember it because I had to write it on my extra lined paper yesterday lol :smile:

I would recommend doing it as it's interesting and very easy to self teach. Also, it has low boundaries and is good preparation for A level maths if you plan on taking it.
Reply 96
Original post by richageorge
that is soo good, see you were worried about nothing!
also can you send me the link please, i can't seem to find it lol


Thanks :smile:
Here's the link:
www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4783648
Good luck for next week's calculator exam.
Reply 97
Original post by Loci Pi
It was 8360, I believe. I only remember it because I had to write it on my extra lined paper yesterday lol :smile:

I would recommend doing it as it's interesting and very easy to self teach. Also, it has low boundaries and is good preparation for A level maths if you plan on taking it.


Thank you, I am planning on taking A level maths so would like to prepare as much as I can
Reply 98
Original post by Moppet
Thank you, I am planning on taking A level maths so would like to prepare as much as I can


Cool :smile:
Good luck on your FM (if you take it) and A level maths.
Reply 99
Do you think the boundaries will be higher or lower than last year's?

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