Additional Maths (FSMQ) and Oxbridge Entrance etc

Was talking with a friend the other day who said that from what he heard if you do not get a B or A in the ad-maths exam, you cannot be considered for Oxford.

Is this true? Anyone here who has got in with a C or under?

Reply 1

angelmxxx

Is this for maths? That's complete rubbish; most people don't get the chance to take the FSMQ so they hardly consider it - it's good for showing your commitment (like maths challenges) but seeing as not everyone takes it, they can't make any formal requirements for it. Also you do it in year 11 so might improve by year 13!

as long as you have a good gcse maths grade (and high gcse average), and get an A in alevel maths (and pref. fm or physics or something... or both) then you should be fine to apply :smile:

Reply 2

Audrey Hepburn

My mate didn't take it at all and he's off to Cambridge for maths next year (so long as he gets the grades for STEP).

Reply 3

Draconis

If you're applying for Maths, they might ask you about it, but there's no rule saying you can't get in if you don't have a B in add maths.

If you're applying for another subject (except maybe Physics, Chemistry and Economics), then it's totally unrelated and wouldn't give you an immediate rejection.

Reply 4

Bw446

I don't know a single person that has taken add.maths. My two friends both of whom were offered a place at Oxford or Cambridge for maths didn't take it. :smile:

Reply 5

Simba

I'm going to Cambridge for maths provided I get an A in physics on results day, and when I was your age I can honestly say I'd never heard of this 'additional maths' thing.

To be honest, now I have heard of it a few times, I think it's a rather silly qualification and that people taking it may as well just take the AS-level!

Reply 6

Bw446

Simba

To be honest, now I have heard of it a few times, I think it's a rather silly qualification and that people taking it may as well just take the AS-level!

I agree. Does seem rather silly. Why can't people just be happy with normal qualifications :tongue:

Reply 7

Chewwy

oxford is **** innit, so it's probably a good thing if they won't take you anyway.

FSMQ? Wtf is that?

No that's not true at all, a boy in my year who got a D is off to Cambridge

Reply 10

Recursion

andy5788

FSMQ? Wtf is that?

Free Standing Mathematics Qualification (it's run by OCR I think)

Given that the 2 pure/core modules of AS Maths cover basically the same ground as the FSMQ, wouldn't messing up Ad Maths be slightly irrelevant, especially given that almost all Oxbridge maths applicants will have completed the full A level (or a similar number of modules) in mathematics by the end of the lower sixth?

Reply 11

wiio

yeah but that would leave you with nothing to do in sixth form except so much STEP you'd be bored of it long before June...

Reply 12

pyrolol

That doesn't really work though, if you tried that you'd find yr13 awfully boring; need something extra.

Reply 13

vahik92

purplefrog

hi mate,

the thing is that many people get As in maths - it's not about the fact that Oxbridge doesn't take people with a C grade but it's about the competition and i can tell u that every year a few thousands of people get A so Oxbridge will take those who have As. u can get to Oxbdirge with a C grade only if u are lucky and that will happen only when the percentage of A grades fall that year. but even then Oxbridge wud take B grades - if u were talking about a B grade - u cud have a much much bigger chance, but with a C - i doubt.. i wanna get to Oxbridge as well - i am doing AS now and I am aiming for As however i don't quite know what is going to come in A2 because yet everything seems straightforward :smile: