Best way to complete my A level maths since the 2017 specification update?

I have recently completed a level 3 extended diploma in Engineering and am looking at completing a maths A level (self taught) to make me more attractive to top universities.

What would be the best way of achieving this since the specification update? I have studied A level maths for a short period before I left to do my BTEC (if that make sure any difference to my options such as claiming it as a retake). I was planning to either take both AS and A2 exam so in June or do the AS exam she in June 2018 and A2 in June 2019.

I will be starting studying in January and focusing solely on the maths A level, no other subjects. I have covered some of the content beforehand so it is not alien to me.

Now that the specification has changed, what are my options and what is the best one? If someone could also explain how the update changes the exams, that would be great.

Many thanks,
Liam

I'm a private candidate doing the old specification.
It will depend on if someone will let you take the exams.
I'm year 2 and with aqa.
I was told by aqa that I must take all units by 2018. In 2019 I can take resits but only units I've already sat.
In 2017 I took c1, c2 and fp1.
In 2018 in resitting c1 (made silly mistakes), taking c3 and c4. Im dropping fp as i didnt like it. Im sitting s1 and d1 to compleye my a level.
It will depend on your exam centre. You also don't have long to apply for your exams. I've got to book mine before Christmas.

Okay great thanks for the reply. So it sounds like I'm looking at doing the new specification then, is that a bit risky to enter for this year considering there won't be any practice papers available etc?

With the new spec, what modules do I need to cover?

Liam

You can do any board this summer 2018, current specification, taking all papers in one go. Although A-level maths is described as a 2-year course, that's just to fit in Beith standard school timetables. If studying independently, you can do it as quickly as suits you. You may well find that good textbooks and free YouTube videos are sufficient - don't assume you need a distance learning course. Maths is particularly well suited to self study.

For the new specification, you would need to take all papers in one exam season, eg summer 2019.

Alternatively, you can do CIE international A-levels, which are accepted as A-levels by all UK unis and which are retaining the modular structure, so you can take AS one year and A2 the next. It's a bit harder to find a CIE exam centre, but if you're prepared to travel, it can be done.

Have a look at the HE Exams wiki page on A-levels for more on the options - not aimed at your exact situation, but still useful :
http://he-exams.wikia.com/wiki/A-levels

Good luck!

Would you suggest starting to learn Thisbe year and taking the exams next year then? I feel 5 month a may be a bit too short of a time to learn all modules unfortunately. I do feel fairly confident with maths though and got an A at GCSE with no revision and without even really listening in class and I got distinctions in both the mathematics for technicians and further mathematic she for technicians and my mechanical principles modules on my engineering course (which to me were very similar to my AS core and mechanics subjects)... what do you think? And also, how are the new exams structured?

I'd have a look at the content and see if you'll be able to retain it.
I got an a* at GCSE and still find parts hard. Especially the huge trig content.

I'm not sure what content I need to be looking at with the new specs, that's part of the issue.

And yeah no I'm not saying I'm proud of the GCSE, I understand they were pretty piss easy.

Ive done a lot of the trig on my BTEC course and in the short time I spent on the A level course, so although it gets harder and I'm sure it will take time, I'm confident I can get to grips with it.

I'd say go for it.
I'm proud of my grade. I found out I was pregnant during my revision. So was really surprised.

If you have no commitments either are attainable. I'm managing and I've a family to care for (I'm a mature student).

If you checkout that YouTube channel (jack brown) from his first video of the new spec he links to his website with a full spec list.

Would you suggest starting to learn Thisbe year and taking the exams next year then? I feel 5 month a may be a bit too short of a time to learn all modules unfortunately.

And also, how are the new exams structured?

x

You don't have anything to lose by getting stuck in! There is very little difference between the A-level maths specifications of the regular JCQ boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR) so you don't need to feel tied to any one exam board. The content for A-level maths is specified by the Department for Education , so they are all much of a muchness. This might be different for other subjects, eg maybe for history, one exam board might offer topics that you prefer. However, for maths they're so similar that it really doesn't matter which board you choose.

Structure is 3 x 2-hour papers.

The first step would be finding an exam centre which takes external candidates. Start here: http://he-exams.wikia.com/wiki/Finding_an_exam_centre . If there is a convenient and affordable exam centre then it might make sense to just go with the exam board they use.

Regarding when you book exams, this all depends on which exam centre you use. Actually from the exam board's point of view, it is possible to enter you even the week before the exam. However, this is much more expensive and inconvenient for the exam centre, so some will not take late entries. Most will want your summer entries to be made in January, but some centres have their own deadline which is in December. Again, depends how far you're prepared to travel and how much you're prepared to pay. The few dedicated independent exam centres which specialise in external candidates are generally very helpful and will take late entries, whereas schools which are doing you a favour by fitting you in alongside their own students, often won't.



Hard to say - it's so individual, and it depends how much maths you covered on your previous course.

If you do CIE International A-levels, there are two big advantages:
1. They have exams in June and November, so maybe you would be ready by November?
2. Retains the AS & A2 format, so you could take the AS this year and get it out of the way.

CIE is the sister company to OCR so I expect their A-levels will be similar, but you'd need to download both specifications and compare to check. More on CIE A-levels. and the page for CIE Maths A-level.

Alternatively, if you decide to stay with regular A-levels, you could do the AS this year anyway, as practice and as a way of checking your progress. This would give you a solid grade in the bank if you want to apply to unis next autumn.



CIE Maths AS is 2 x 1 hr 45 min papers
CIE full A-level is 4 x 1hr 45 min papers

Regular UK A-levels are 3 x 2 hr papers.

Another advantage of the CIE A-level maths is that you can choose which order you take the applied papers in, so it's more similar to the current A-level spec. If you like Mechanics but not STats, you can specialise.

I think there is no substitute for reading through the syllabuses though! They're not that scarey once you get stuck in. One really good thing about Edexcel is that they make loads of teacher resources and past papers freely available to all, whereas most of the other boards put this sort of material behind a teacher login. On the other hand, for maths you don't really need the teacher resources, you just need good textbooks and tons of practice! Past papers are freely available on file-sharing sites - just search TSR for help with that.

AQA has produced a helpful summary of how A-level maths has changed overall which might help you decide between the current and new spec.

Do let us know how you get on!

Great thanks for the response. Within those 3 exams, how are the modules separated? Like Is it 1 exam for all core subjects 1 mechanics 1 stats? Or is it more like 2 for core and 1 for both mechanics and stats?

(EDIT: I have tried to look for this information on the internet and have a seen the specification list but it's not very clear at how this relates to the modules... also, do I need to get new revision guides or can i use the same ones from previous years?)