!URGENT! How difficult is Further Maths as a fourth A-level?

Original post by VeryAverage

Hey! I'm doing that exact combination now. The one regret I have is physics - I think it's definitely much harder than FM or CS. I'd maybe suggest economics or philosophy instead.
Further maths is really important if you're considering applying for a "top" uni (Oxbridge, Imperial, UCL, LSE etc.), but beyond those few, not having it won't hurt your application too much. If you're working at grade 8 in most of your GCSE's, 4 A-Levels should probably be manageable.

Yeah I completely agree. Physics is much harder (currently procastinating revising for a test tomorrow lol). Id say do econ or chemistry instead but yeah defo maths fm and cs are all quite nice (although cs can be a bit boring but is relatively easy I think). Tbh I think u should be fine w just maths fm cs if ur set on studying cs at uni. Maybe add an EPQ

Reply 5

OP

Original post by VeryAverage

Hey! I'm doing that exact combination now. The one regret I have is physics - I think it's definitely much harder than FM or CS. I'd maybe suggest economics or philosophy instead.
Further maths is really important if you're considering applying for a "top" uni (Oxbridge, Imperial, UCL, LSE etc.), but beyond those few, not having it won't hurt your application too much. If you're working at grade 8 in most of your GCSE's, 4 A-Levels should probably be manageable.

Hey! Thanks so much for the advice! I just have a few questions.
Is it harder to achieve higher grades in further maths beacause most of the people doing it would probably be those who got 7/8/9s in GCSE so wouldn't be higher grade boundaries?
How big is the gap between GCSE Physics and A level Physics?
Also how many GCSE subjects worth of content do you think one A level subject is?
Thanks :biggrin:

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 6

VeryAverage

13

Original post by studybunny555

How big is the gap between GCSE Physics and A level Physics?
Also how many GCSE subjects worth of content do you think one A level subject is?

A level physics is a huge gap from GCSE physics because most of the content relies on an actual understanding rather than memory. Also, content is covered in depth. I'd say an A-Level is like 2-3 GCSE subjects depending on the A Level, but that's a difficult comparison to make.

Reply 7

A massive gap between GCSE and A level physics. Some topics at A level I think are fine like quantum, particles, materials, fields etc but some I found pretty difficult. I think if you're hardworking enough then you should be able to manage it but its really about whether you want to work that hard lol. Like im pretty sure I put in twice as much work for physics in comparison to FM.

as for ur second q, it depends on the subject. For maths I think like 5 GCSEs (considering calculus and trig to be like 3 GCSEs and the rest to make up 2), Physics maybe a bit more not bc of the content but the work you need to put in for exam technique if that makes sense lol

Reply 8

OP

Original post by VeryAverage

A level physics is a huge gap from GCSE physics because most of the content relies on an actual understanding rather than memory. Also, content is covered in depth. I'd say an A-Level is like 2-3 GCSE subjects depending on the A Level, but that's a difficult comparison to make.

Is it harder to achieve higher grades in further maths beacause most of the people doing it would probably be those who got 7/8/9s in GCSE so wouldn't be higher grade boundaries?

Reply 9

Original post by studybunny555

Is it harder to achieve higher grades in further maths beacause most of the people doing it would probably be those who got 7/8/9s in GCSE so wouldn't be higher grade boundaries?

Its higher grade boundaries but its not much harder than normal maths imo so you should be fine

Reply 10

OP

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Original post by Cs115

Its higher grade boundaries but its not much harder than normal maths imo so you should be fine

thanks for you help :biggrin:

Reply 11

OP

I emailed the sixth form and they told me they complete all of A level maths in year 12 and further maths in year 13. I also decided to stick with physics because A level econ seemed a bit too essay based for me. I'm nervous but also kind of relieved since I won't be too stressed during 13 and can just focus on three A levels although I have to do one of my A levels in year 12 :')

Any advice?

Reply 12

Slx.24

20

Original post by studybunny555

I want to do Computer Science at University. However, the sixth form I want to got to only allows further maths as a fourth a-level. At this sixth form they cover A-level Maths in year12 and further maths is year 13.
I was thinking of doing:
Maths
Computer Science
Physics
Further Maths
but I feel like the workload will be very heavy and it would overall be quite stressful for me based on what I've seen people say about further maths and how difficult it is.
Is covering alevel maths in year 12 and further maths in year 13 going to make it more difficult?
Would switching physics with any easier subject(any suggestions?) make it any easier?
Is it better to go to college which is not as good as this one to just do three alevels inc fm?
Is it worth doing further maths?
I am current working at a grade 8 in all my subjects and hoping for a grade 9 for my maths gcse
Any feedback would be appreciated

I'm doing the same as you, except FM. I don't regret it. All three subs complement each other. Thing is with further maths is that the work load is literally about 5x more than normal maths. I've loads of friends doing FM and a lot regretting it too. Some are finding it okay but you literally do a chapter in max 2 lessons. Rn they've already started the 2nd year of pure maths and nearly finished the first year of applied☠
Some people have dropped out too
A thing to remember though is that with some school you sit your AS exam in the first year, so you can just drop maths in yr13 and chill with 2 subs

Reply 13