The Student Room Group

Self teaching AS or A-Level FM

I am planning on teaching myself AS or A-Level FM so I can have a better chance at getting into top econ unis (LSE/Cambridge etc). Is this achievable, and if so, I would love advice on how to go about doing it. I have self-taught the whole AS normal maths now, far ahead of my class, so I am ready to start (after mocks which are in a month). Do I go over A2 topics first, or is it feasible to go straight into FM content. Also, is self-teaching the whole FM course doable, or should I stick to the AS.
It definitely is achievable! Although, I would recommend you to do the A2 normal maths first, as a large chunk of FM overlaps with A2 normal maths content. You probably can do all of FM if you're motivated enough, there really aren't that many topics.

As for whether taking all this time studying FM topics ahead will help you, I am unsure. Something tells me you might be much better off just studying some early university financial mathematics (from a course or textbook) and learning only the topics that you need that you come across.

Best of luck in your studies!
I don't have any advice just download the syllabus and access the free resources online if you have not done so already. Even though you are doing A/S. I am inclined to work through GCSE Further Mathematics, then A/S and A2 further Mathematic and working through past papers in examination conditions and closed book. The first paper do in your own time see how the examiner utilises the syllabus.

https://www.revisely.co.uk/
https://mrsouthernmaths.wordpress.com/about/
https://amsp.org.uk/
https://www.edx.org/course/further-mathematics-year-12-course-1
I use the spoiler to section things off and provide spacing.

Spoiler


https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/outreach/oxford-online-maths-club

Miscellaneous
https://www.youtube.com/@ThomasDavisCPA/videos
https://www.stem.org.uk/secondary/careers
https://www.springpod.com/virtual-work-experience/search

All the best...
:hello:
(edited 1 year ago)
Reply 3
Original post by mrgugg49
It definitely is achievable! Although, I would recommend you to do the A2 normal maths first, as a large chunk of FM overlaps with A2 normal maths content. You probably can do all of FM if you're motivated enough, there really aren't that many topics.

As for whether taking all this time studying FM topics ahead will help you, I am unsure. Something tells me you might be much better off just studying some early university financial mathematics (from a course or textbook) and learning only the topics that you need that you come across.

Best of luck in your studies!


Thanks for the response, I am definitely motivated enough, but I've heard FM pure at A2 is extremely hard, so self-teaching it would be near-impossible, alongside Y2 A-Levels too (- I hope this is not the case). Anyway, do you have any idea on how I would get AS FM on my predicted? Should I ask my 6th form to give me a mock and then put that as my predicted for A/AS level FM?
Original post by yzven
Thanks for the response, I am definitely motivated enough, but I've heard FM pure at A2 is extremely hard, so self-teaching it would be near-impossible, alongside Y2 A-Levels too (- I hope this is not the case). Anyway, do you have any idea on how I would get AS FM on my predicted? Should I ask my 6th form to give me a mock and then put that as my predicted for A/AS level FM?


I mean, as long as you believe in yourself and keep going, you'll probably do fine in FM pure A2. Personally I'm an upper sixth pupil doing OCR FM (having finished the content quite a while ago) and the A2 topics I found the most difficult were second-order differential equations and finding various vector distances (shortest distance between two lines, a line and a plane, etc.) and even those can be learnt quite quickly with enough practice. FM in both of its years consists mostly of somewhat disjoint question types that build on previous topics.

As for how to get a predicted, I don't have enough knowledge about school exam admin but it's definitely worth a shot asking for a go at a mock. Your teachers will probably really want to help out someone so enthusiastic about maths.

For OCR, Hodder Education has a nice textbook series on FM. Possibly you could ask a maths teacher for textbook recommendations.

You've got this!
Original post by yzven
Anyway, do you have any idea on how I would get AS FM on my predicted? Should I ask my 6th form to give me a mock and then put that as my predicted for A/AS level FM?


Yes that would be a good idea perhaps ask beforehand. I don't think there will be an issue if they are happy enough for you to sit the exam. So I agree with the previous persons statement.

I thought of another few resources there are others:
https://mmerevise.co.uk/a-level-maths-revision/a-level-maths-past-papers/edexcel-a-level-further-maths-past-papers/
https://uplearn.co.uk/further-maths-a-level-edexcel/
https://getrevising.co.uk/resources?q=Further+mathematics+&level_id%5B%5D=a2&level_id%5B%5D=as

Aside from this slightly off topic:
https://wonderyearsschool.com/author/launchpadstartups/page/4/
The idea of something being easy this is not Mathematics but apply what is said to mathematics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uul5JyMi9oM
The idea of something being difficult:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fjWafOajjc
Which do you prefer?

Easy of difficult?

Memory Palaces:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkZ2FGJhR5R_mzDp76DZH5n5mG-ni72LC

Find some music which may enhance your learning.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=brain+learning+music

I have Further Mathematics GCSE, A/S, A-level text and revision books. I hope that some of my resources will also help you.

The Maths Sorcerer:

How To Self-Study Math:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb_v5Bc8PSk

Study Math With Me - 50 Minute Study Session
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb2KTwqR7rk

All the best to both of us in our respective endeavours...

:hello:
(edited 1 year ago)
Reply 6
Original post by yzven
I am planning on teaching myself AS or A-Level FM so I can have a better chance at getting into top econ unis (LSE/Cambridge etc). Is this achievable, and if so, I would love advice on how to go about doing it. I have self-taught the whole AS normal maths now, far ahead of my class, so I am ready to start (after mocks which are in a month). Do I go over A2 topics first, or is it feasible to go straight into FM content. Also, is self-teaching the whole FM course doable, or should I stick to the AS.

I self taught AS FM and got an offer from LSE for econ. It is quite time consuming but not too difficult especially since there's very little problem solving. The whole A level is extremely difficult and self teaching would be very hard. I got a predicted grade from my teachers, they just gave me an A since I had an A star in standard maths. The cambridge go online textbook is very good for OCR AS, which is what I did. There's little overlap from standard A level maths, I'd recommend doing it in free periods at school or whenever you have free time.
Reply 7
Original post by Fewd27
I self taught AS FM and got an offer from LSE for econ. It is quite time consuming but not too difficult especially since there's very little problem solving. The whole A level is extremely difficult and self teaching would be very hard. I got a predicted grade from my teachers, they just gave me an A since I had an A star in standard maths. The cambridge go online textbook is very good for OCR AS, which is what I did. There's little overlap from standard A level maths, I'd recommend doing it in free periods at school or whenever you have free time.


Thanks for your reply, thats good to know since I'm still unsure to ask for a predicted in A-Level or AS FM. AS FM will be fine to apply with then, alongside other strong grades + supercurricular maths + econ etc?
Original post by Fewd27
I self taught AS FM and got an offer from LSE for econ. It is quite time consuming but not too difficult especially since there's very little problem solving. The whole A level is extremely difficult and self teaching would be very hard. I got a predicted grade from my teachers, they just gave me an A since I had an A star in standard maths. The cambridge go online textbook is very good for OCR AS, which is what I did. There's little overlap from standard A level maths, I'd recommend doing it in free periods at school or whenever you have free time.

What did your A level subjects achieved ? + Further Maths AS self taught.

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