Should I do AS Maths?

I am considering doing Maths as an AS. My other subjects are History, Geography, and Physics. At GCSE, I got a 6 but I was 1 mark from a 7. I don't feel that confident doing Maths as a full A-Level but I feel that I would be more confident doing it as an AS. Some university courses I'm interested in ask for a 7 at GCSE maths, which is depressing since I was a mark away, but I feel that having an AS Maths will make up for that, maybe make me more employable and hopefully help me get into a better university as I feel that it is a very useful skill to have. Also, It will help me with Physics.

Reply 1

Kevin De Bruyne

Original post by Fonzworth

In that situation I would - you may end up wanting to do the full A-level anyway, depending on your results.
Good luck :smile:

Reply 2

username1357565

It won't really help with physics - the maths in physics that's hard is only covered with further maths (well imo).

An AS in maths is definitely manageable, will your school be teaching you it? Before reforms, doing AS maths means just 3 exams, and ones you'll definitely be fine with if you had 2 years to prepare.

Oops, had a look at new courses and it seems there is some more content in there. It will be harder, but will overlap with physics.

Finally, just my opinion, but yes maths will definitely make you more employable.

Reply 3

Fonzworth

Original post by carpetguy

Thanks for this. I may be wrong but will I be doing C1, C2 + an applied module? (which will obviously be mechanics) And also, is there any non-calculator exams?

Reply 4

_gcx

Study Forum Helper

Original post by Fonzworth

Thanks for this. I may be wrong but will I be doing C1, C2 + an applied module? (which will obviously be mechanics) And also, is there any non-calculator exams?

no, it'll be reformed, unless you happen to be doing IALs. All three of the exam boards have two papers at AS, both equally weighted with a calculator

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Edexcel - one pure and one applied (stats and mechanics) paper.

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AQA - Two papers that mix pure and applied.

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OCR - Two papers, one pure and stats, the other pure and mechanics.

Reply 5

gdunne42

Original post by Fonzworth

Thanks for this. I may be wrong but will I be doing C1, C2 + an applied module? (which will obviously be mechanics) And also, is there any non-calculator exams?

If you take the course and exams this year it could be old specification (C1, C2 plus an applied) or could be the new specification that includes both mechanics and statistics. It is likely that if you are participating in lessons it will be new specification. You need to ask at your school.

Reply 6

Fonzworth

Original post by gdunne42

It’ll be the new specification. Does that mean I only need to learn mechanics and statistics?

Reply 7

gdunne42

Original post by Fonzworth

It’ll be the new specification. Does that mean I only need to learn mechanics and statistics?

You wish 😄
Plus a whole lot of pure maths roughly equivalent to the old C1&2

Reply 8

Fonzworth

Original post by gdunne42

You wish 😄
Plus a whole lot of pure maths roughly equivalent to the old C1&2

Thought so haha, do you think Maths at AS will improve my uni application and maybe employability? Especially for courses that ask for a 7 at GCSE because I was 1 mark off