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How to sit Further Maths A level privately
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I'm posting this on behalf of my younger brother who needed some help with this. He's on a gap year at the moment and decided he wanted to sit further maths A level at a private examination centre but he doesn't really know how to go about the modules.
If it helps, for maths the modules he took were C1, C2, S1, C3, C4 and S2.
If it helps, for maths the modules he took were C1, C2, S1, C3, C4 and S2.
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#2
(Original post by gemmac123455)
I'm posting this on behalf of my younger brother who needed some help with this. He's on a gap year at the moment and decided he wanted to sit further maths A level at a private examination centre but he doesn't really know how to go about the modules.
If it helps, for maths the modules he took were C1, C2, S1, C3, C4 and S2.
I'm posting this on behalf of my younger brother who needed some help with this. He's on a gap year at the moment and decided he wanted to sit further maths A level at a private examination centre but he doesn't really know how to go about the modules.
If it helps, for maths the modules he took were C1, C2, S1, C3, C4 and S2.
They'll likely ask him to get in touch with the exams officer of a local school or college to arrange when he can physically take the exam.
If he's on edexcel I believe he needs FP1, FP2 and then 4 other modules of his choice such as mechanics, decision or the other FP ones.
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(Original post by Ed5)
He needs to consult the exam board he wants to do - there is usually a section on the website for private candidates. All the info and further instructions will be on there.
They'll likely ask him to get in touch with the exams officer of a local school or college to arrange when he can physically take the exam.
If he's on edexcel I believe he needs FP1, FP2 and then 4 other modules of his choice such as mechanics, decision or the other FP ones.
He needs to consult the exam board he wants to do - there is usually a section on the website for private candidates. All the info and further instructions will be on there.
They'll likely ask him to get in touch with the exams officer of a local school or college to arrange when he can physically take the exam.
If he's on edexcel I believe he needs FP1, FP2 and then 4 other modules of his choice such as mechanics, decision or the other FP ones.
If you don't mind me asking, what other 4 modules would you recommend him to take?
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#4
(Original post by gemmac123455)
Thanks for your help. I'll let him know. He's on edexcel because he did it for maths so he wanted the same board for further maths.
If you don't mind me asking, what other 4 modules would you recommend him to take?
Thanks for your help. I'll let him know. He's on edexcel because he did it for maths so he wanted the same board for further maths.
If you don't mind me asking, what other 4 modules would you recommend him to take?
M2 is tricky but idk about M3+. I've heard D2 is tedious but not too difficult
Here's their private candidates section btw
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(Original post by Ed5)
M1 and D1 are known to be pretty easy. Since he's done S1 and S2, it might also make sense to do another stats module given his experience with it.
M2 is tricky but idk about M3+. I've heard D2 is tedious but not too difficult
Here's their private candidates section btw
M1 and D1 are known to be pretty easy. Since he's done S1 and S2, it might also make sense to do another stats module given his experience with it.
M2 is tricky but idk about M3+. I've heard D2 is tedious but not too difficult
Here's their private candidates section btw
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#6
(Original post by gemmac123455)
So if he did FP1, FP2, M1, D1, S3 and one more module, it'd be fine?
So if he did FP1, FP2, M1, D1, S3 and one more module, it'd be fine?
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#7
(Original post by gemmac123455)
So if he did FP1, FP2, M1, D1, S3 and one more module, it'd be fine?
So if he did FP1, FP2, M1, D1, S3 and one more module, it'd be fine?
There's little point contacting the exam board other than looking at their website as they don't deal directly with candidates . He just needs to find an exam centre (=any secondary school or college) willing to accept him as a private candidate and they will sort everything out. Must the simplest and cheapest place is likely to be wherever he did his A level maths so get him to ask tehm first.
When he completes this FM he needs to make sure that the centre cashes in everything he's done again - AS Maths and A level Maths as well as FM in order to free up his applied units in order to maximize his grades.
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(Original post by Compost)
Yes. The final module could be any of the others available though M2, D2, would be the easiest options.
There's little point contacting the exam board other than looking at their website as they don't deal directly with candidates . He just needs to find an exam centre (=any secondary school or college) willing to accept him as a private candidate and they will sort everything out. Must the simplest and cheapest place is likely to be wherever he did his A level maths so get him to ask tehm first.
When he completes this FM he needs to make sure that the centre cashes in everything he's done again - AS Maths and A level Maths as well as FM in order to free up his applied units in order to maximize his grades.
Yes. The final module could be any of the others available though M2, D2, would be the easiest options.
There's little point contacting the exam board other than looking at their website as they don't deal directly with candidates . He just needs to find an exam centre (=any secondary school or college) willing to accept him as a private candidate and they will sort everything out. Must the simplest and cheapest place is likely to be wherever he did his A level maths so get him to ask tehm first.
When he completes this FM he needs to make sure that the centre cashes in everything he's done again - AS Maths and A level Maths as well as FM in order to free up his applied units in order to maximize his grades.
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#9
Yes. That way the S1 and S2 can move into FM (and be replaced by other applied units) if this would give him better overall grades. If the Maths isn't cashed in again then the S1 and S2 are locked in Maths.
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#10
What does your brother want to do at uni? There are some modules that are more or less relevant depending what you want to do as a degree. For example, mechanics is most useful for physics and engineering, further pure most useful for maths, decision most relevant for computer science and stats for economics.
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(Original post by Compost)
Yes. That way the S1 and S2 can move into FM (and be replaced by other applied units) if this would give him better overall grades. If the Maths isn't cashed in again then the S1 and S2 are locked in Maths.
Yes. That way the S1 and S2 can move into FM (and be replaced by other applied units) if this would give him better overall grades. If the Maths isn't cashed in again then the S1 and S2 are locked in Maths.
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(Original post by black1blade)
What does your brother want to do at uni? There are some modules that are more or less relevant depending what you want to do as a degree. For example, mechanics is most useful for physics and engineering, further pure most useful for maths, decision most relevant for computer science and stats for economics.
What does your brother want to do at uni? There are some modules that are more or less relevant depending what you want to do as a degree. For example, mechanics is most useful for physics and engineering, further pure most useful for maths, decision most relevant for computer science and stats for economics.
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#13
(Original post by gemmac123455)
So if he didn't cash in A level maths again and just decided to sit 6 modules for further maths, would it be a problem?
So if he didn't cash in A level maths again and just decided to sit 6 modules for further maths, would it be a problem?
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#14
(Original post by gemmac123455)
He achieved an A* in A level maths and decided he wanted to sit Further Maths so he could apply to better universities for a Maths degree. So what modules would you recommend he takes?
He achieved an A* in A level maths and decided he wanted to sit Further Maths so he could apply to better universities for a Maths degree. So what modules would you recommend he takes?
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#15
(Original post by gemmac123455)
So if he didn't cash in A level maths again and just decided to sit 6 modules for further maths, would it be a problem?
So if he didn't cash in A level maths again and just decided to sit 6 modules for further maths, would it be a problem?
It costs nothing to cash in again and no effort on his part - it's just a couple of codes the Exam Officer submits to the exam board - so he'd be daft not to. I only mention it because an EO not used to FM might not realise it's the right thing to do.
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(Original post by black1blade)
Most unis don't really mind which modules you do although I'd bet cambridge would have a preference for as many fp and mechanics as possible. For further my school is doing fp1-3, s2, m2, d1 (having done s1 and m1 at a-level) and I would consider that a balanced option. Personally I would rather the school had chosen not to do decision as it's quite boring although it is meant to be really easy. Did he do physics at a-level? If not I probably wouldn't recommend talking more than 1 mechanics module assuming he's going to be mostly self teaching. Just tell him the chose the modules he's interested in but I'd bet that fp2 and 3 will be the most challenging (the higher numbered mechanics modules might be harder) but relevant modules for him to take for a maths degree.
Most unis don't really mind which modules you do although I'd bet cambridge would have a preference for as many fp and mechanics as possible. For further my school is doing fp1-3, s2, m2, d1 (having done s1 and m1 at a-level) and I would consider that a balanced option. Personally I would rather the school had chosen not to do decision as it's quite boring although it is meant to be really easy. Did he do physics at a-level? If not I probably wouldn't recommend talking more than 1 mechanics module assuming he's going to be mostly self teaching. Just tell him the chose the modules he's interested in but I'd bet that fp2 and 3 will be the most challenging (the higher numbered mechanics modules might be harder) but relevant modules for him to take for a maths degree.
(Original post by Compost)
No, but it might mean he gets a lower grade in Further maths. Say his Maths overall UMS was 530 and he'd got 100 in S2 and only 60 in M1, then IF the Maths is re-cashed-in, those 2 units could swap between Maths and FM to get him an extra 40 UMS in FM without changing the A* in Maths.
It costs nothing to cash in again and no effort on his part - it's just a couple of codes the Exam Officer submits to the exam board - so he'd be daft not to. I only mention it because an EO not used to FM might not realise it's the right thing to do.
No, but it might mean he gets a lower grade in Further maths. Say his Maths overall UMS was 530 and he'd got 100 in S2 and only 60 in M1, then IF the Maths is re-cashed-in, those 2 units could swap between Maths and FM to get him an extra 40 UMS in FM without changing the A* in Maths.
It costs nothing to cash in again and no effort on his part - it's just a couple of codes the Exam Officer submits to the exam board - so he'd be daft not to. I only mention it because an EO not used to FM might not realise it's the right thing to do.
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#17
Resitting s2 would probably be a good idea as to get an A* in further you need 90ums average in your best 3 "A2" units (basically any not core maths modules with a 2+ after the letter). I mean if he wants the most interesting albeit challenging combo then fp1-3, m1-3 would be the best although perhaps the prospective physics and maths student I am, I am a tad bias XD.
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(Original post by black1blade)
Resitting s2 would probably be a good idea as to get an A* in further you need 90ums average in your best 3 "A2" units (basically any not core maths modules with a 2+ after the letter). I mean if he wants the most interesting albeit challenging combo then fp1-3, m1-3 would be the best although perhaps the prospective physics and maths student I am, I am a tad bias XD.
Resitting s2 would probably be a good idea as to get an A* in further you need 90ums average in your best 3 "A2" units (basically any not core maths modules with a 2+ after the letter). I mean if he wants the most interesting albeit challenging combo then fp1-3, m1-3 would be the best although perhaps the prospective physics and maths student I am, I am a tad bias XD.
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#19
(Original post by gemmac123455)
So what is the process for cashing in again? What does he need to do?
So what is the process for cashing in again? What does he need to do?
(Original post by gemmac123455)
Also, he asked me to ask if you think it would be ok for him to retake S2 as he got 80 UMS and he feels he can bring that up.
Also, he asked me to ask if you think it would be ok for him to retake S2 as he got 80 UMS and he feels he can bring that up.
- At least 480 UMS from the 6 units in FM
- At least 270 UMS from the best 3 A2 units in FM. (An A2 unit is anything that ends in a 2 or more, so S2, FP2, FP3, M3, M4, D2 etc)
S2 is probably the easiest of these units (though I much prefer Mechanics to Stats) so the more UMS he can gain from that the more room there is for messing up on, say, FP2 which is considerably harder and still getting an A*.
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(Original post by Compost)
He just needs to ask the exam centre to make sure they cash-in his AS (code 8371) and A level maths (9371) at the same time as making his exam entries and the cash-in for A level FM (9372). It's free if you do it at that point.
If he's aiming for an A* in FM then he probably ought to re-sit S2. To get an A* in FM you need:
S2 is probably the easiest of these units (though I much prefer Mechanics to Stats) so the more UMS he can gain from that the more room there is for messing up on, say, FP2 which is considerably harder and still getting an A*.
He just needs to ask the exam centre to make sure they cash-in his AS (code 8371) and A level maths (9371) at the same time as making his exam entries and the cash-in for A level FM (9372). It's free if you do it at that point.
If he's aiming for an A* in FM then he probably ought to re-sit S2. To get an A* in FM you need:
- At least 480 UMS from the 6 units in FM
- At least 270 UMS from the best 3 A2 units in FM. (An A2 unit is anything that ends in a 2 or more, so S2, FP2, FP3, M3, M4, D2 etc)
S2 is probably the easiest of these units (though I much prefer Mechanics to Stats) so the more UMS he can gain from that the more room there is for messing up on, say, FP2 which is considerably harder and still getting an A*.
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