Further Maths or Physics A Level
Hi all,
I have to make my A-Level decisions for my school soon and would like some advice on picking between FM or Physics for my 4th subject. I'm already pretty certain I'm going to do Spanish, German and Maths and want to go on to do Linguistics (skl does not offer english language sadly). My school makes us pick 4 subjects and then we are able to drop one (not sure if I would or not). How should I go about deciding? If anyone could provide some guidance, as well as some info on what the courses cover, that would be much appreciated
Thank you
I have to make my A-Level decisions for my school soon and would like some advice on picking between FM or Physics for my 4th subject. I'm already pretty certain I'm going to do Spanish, German and Maths and want to go on to do Linguistics (skl does not offer english language sadly). My school makes us pick 4 subjects and then we are able to drop one (not sure if I would or not). How should I go about deciding? If anyone could provide some guidance, as well as some info on what the courses cover, that would be much appreciated
Thank you
(edited 1 year ago)
Original post by qaztcx
Hi all,
I have to make my A-Level decisions for my school soon and would like some advice on picking between FM or Physics for my 4th subject. I'm already pretty certain I'm going to do Spanish, German and Maths and want to go on to do Linguistics (skl does not offer english language sadly). My school makes us pick 4 subjects and then we are able to drop one (not sure if I would or not). How should I go about deciding? If anyone could provide some guidance, as well as some info on what the courses cover, that would be much appreciated
Thank you
I have to make my A-Level decisions for my school soon and would like some advice on picking between FM or Physics for my 4th subject. I'm already pretty certain I'm going to do Spanish, German and Maths and want to go on to do Linguistics (skl does not offer english language sadly). My school makes us pick 4 subjects and then we are able to drop one (not sure if I would or not). How should I go about deciding? If anyone could provide some guidance, as well as some info on what the courses cover, that would be much appreciated
Thank you
Hey, I’m a year 12 student studying maths, further maths, computer science and economics.
I recommend you further maths.
Further maths is harder than physics content wise (in year two and extending modules), however it’s easier to get a better grade as studying for it is just practice questions. You will cover Pure further year 1 and 2, aswell as TWO extra modules throughout both years (The choices are between Futher pure 1/2, further mechanics, further statistics and decisions)
Physics is a great a level to have, however it’s only really amazing if you plan to go into engineering. Wheras, further maths is kind of seen as like a bonus on top of your of your A levels. If your applying for competitive universities like Oxbridge or Imperial, they both either require or really really (really) want it for courses such as finance, mathematics, computer science, etc
Further maths and A level maths (of course) have great synergy. It would even seem at some points that it’s just one big a level.
I can’t tell you much about physics apart from everyone I know is struggling in both year 1 and 2
Conclusion if you can’t be bothered to read allat lol: FM is easier to get a higher grade in, more beneficial when going into further studies (unless you wanna do engineering) whereas physics is way harder of the rip
Original post by skvsyu
Hey, I’m a year 12 student studying maths, further maths, computer science and economics.
I recommend you further maths.
Further maths is harder than physics content wise (in year two and extending modules), however it’s easier to get a better grade as studying for it is just practice questions. You will cover Pure further year 1 and 2, aswell as TWO extra modules throughout both years (The choices are between Futher pure 1/2, further mechanics, further statistics and decisions)
Physics is a great a level to have, however it’s only really amazing if you plan to go into engineering. Wheras, further maths is kind of seen as like a bonus on top of your of your A levels. If your applying for competitive universities like Oxbridge or Imperial, they both either require or really really (really) want it for courses such as finance, mathematics, computer science, etc
Further maths and A level maths (of course) have great synergy. It would even seem at some points that it’s just one big a level.
I can’t tell you much about physics apart from everyone I know is struggling in both year 1 and 2
Conclusion if you can’t be bothered to read allat lol: FM is easier to get a higher grade in, more beneficial when going into further studies (unless you wanna do engineering) whereas physics is way harder of the rip
I recommend you further maths.
Further maths is harder than physics content wise (in year two and extending modules), however it’s easier to get a better grade as studying for it is just practice questions. You will cover Pure further year 1 and 2, aswell as TWO extra modules throughout both years (The choices are between Futher pure 1/2, further mechanics, further statistics and decisions)
Physics is a great a level to have, however it’s only really amazing if you plan to go into engineering. Wheras, further maths is kind of seen as like a bonus on top of your of your A levels. If your applying for competitive universities like Oxbridge or Imperial, they both either require or really really (really) want it for courses such as finance, mathematics, computer science, etc
Further maths and A level maths (of course) have great synergy. It would even seem at some points that it’s just one big a level.
I can’t tell you much about physics apart from everyone I know is struggling in both year 1 and 2
Conclusion if you can’t be bothered to read allat lol: FM is easier to get a higher grade in, more beneficial when going into further studies (unless you wanna do engineering) whereas physics is way harder of the rip
thanks for the info
what is the content like in FM?Original post by qaztcx
Original post by skvsyu
Hey, I’m a year 12 student studying maths, further maths, computer science and economics.
I recommend you further maths.
Further maths is harder than physics content wise (in year two and extending modules), however it’s easier to get a better grade as studying for it is just practice questions. You will cover Pure further year 1 and 2, aswell as TWO extra modules throughout both years (The choices are between Futher pure 1/2, further mechanics, further statistics and decisions)
Physics is a great a level to have, however it’s only really amazing if you plan to go into engineering. Wheras, further maths is kind of seen as like a bonus on top of your of your A levels. If your applying for competitive universities like Oxbridge or Imperial, they both either require or really really (really) want it for courses such as finance, mathematics, computer science, etc
Further maths and A level maths (of course) have great synergy. It would even seem at some points that it’s just one big a level.
I can’t tell you much about physics apart from everyone I know is struggling in both year 1 and 2
Conclusion if you can’t be bothered to read allat lol: FM is easier to get a higher grade in, more beneficial when going into further studies (unless you wanna do engineering) whereas physics is way harder of the rip
I recommend you further maths.
Further maths is harder than physics content wise (in year two and extending modules), however it’s easier to get a better grade as studying for it is just practice questions. You will cover Pure further year 1 and 2, aswell as TWO extra modules throughout both years (The choices are between Futher pure 1/2, further mechanics, further statistics and decisions)
Physics is a great a level to have, however it’s only really amazing if you plan to go into engineering. Wheras, further maths is kind of seen as like a bonus on top of your of your A levels. If your applying for competitive universities like Oxbridge or Imperial, they both either require or really really (really) want it for courses such as finance, mathematics, computer science, etc
Further maths and A level maths (of course) have great synergy. It would even seem at some points that it’s just one big a level.
I can’t tell you much about physics apart from everyone I know is struggling in both year 1 and 2
Conclusion if you can’t be bothered to read allat lol: FM is easier to get a higher grade in, more beneficial when going into further studies (unless you wanna do engineering) whereas physics is way harder of the rip
thanks for the info
what is the content like in FM?Currently I’m finding everything relatively easy. I do year 1 edexcel. currently. Theres 9 topics, and 6 of them are independent from A level maths.
2 are on complex numbers
(5/10) difficulty, just the last part of the topic called “Loci in the argand diagram”
2 are on Matrices
(5/10) difficulty, same as complex number last part can be tricky to wrap head around
1 is called roots of polynomials
(3/10) difficulty, last part gets relatively long if questioned on
1 is called series
(1/10) difficulty, literally just need to remember a few rules
1 is called proof by induction
(2/10) difficulty, the funniest topic can be hard to understand one part but once understood it’s the easiest
The other two topics require knowledge from year 2 a level normal maths, called vectors and volumes of revolutions
Heads up though, ive always been naturally decent at maths so those ratings may be bias
As for my modules, I haven’t started further mechanics, I’m a few chapters into decisions and it’s dead easy, borderline gcse computer science stuff like algorithms. Can be vigorous though ive heard toward the end, something called the “simplex algorithm “ if you wanna check it out
Original post by qaztcx
ok, thanks for the ratings, i'm also naturally good at maths so the ratings are probably reasonable
this is really helpful, I'm probably leaning towards FM now, thanks for the insight
this is really helpful, I'm probably leaning towards FM now, thanks for the insight
Read the specification for FMaths; it varies between boards. Check also whether you get any choice of papers.
Original post by Muttley79
Read the specification for FMaths; it varies between boards. Check also whether you get any choice of papers.
will do, thanks for the advice, my school does mechanics and statistics I think, which I don't think is a problem for me
Original post by qaztcx
will do, thanks for the advice, my school does mechanics and statistics I think, which I don't think is a problem for me
Why not decision - it's a great option. Many schools allow a choice.
Original post by Muttley79
Why not decision - it's a great option. Many schools allow a choice.
they don't offer it unfortunately - it does sound interesting, but there's not a lot I can do in that regard
Original post by qaztcx
they don't offer it unfortunately - it does sound interesting, but there's not a lot I can do in that regard
You could ask about doing it.
Original post by Muttley79
You could ask about doing it.
just checked the spec and we do WJEC so the non-pure sections are stats and mechanics in first half of FM and then either mechanics or stats in second half, so i dont think its really possible to do decision in this scenario
(edited 1 year ago)
Original post by qaztcx
just checked the spec and we do WJEC so the non-pure sections are stats and mechanics in first half of FM and then either mechanics or stats in second half, so i dont think its really possible to do decision in this scenario
That's why most schools teach Edexcel .. more choice.
Original post by qaztcx
Hi all,
I have to make my A-Level decisions for my school soon and would like some advice on picking between FM or Physics for my 4th subject. I'm already pretty certain I'm going to do Spanish, German and Maths and want to go on to do Linguistics (skl does not offer english language sadly). My school makes us pick 4 subjects and then we are able to drop one (not sure if I would or not). How should I go about deciding? If anyone could provide some guidance, as well as some info on what the courses cover, that would be much appreciated
Thank you
I have to make my A-Level decisions for my school soon and would like some advice on picking between FM or Physics for my 4th subject. I'm already pretty certain I'm going to do Spanish, German and Maths and want to go on to do Linguistics (skl does not offer english language sadly). My school makes us pick 4 subjects and then we are able to drop one (not sure if I would or not). How should I go about deciding? If anyone could provide some guidance, as well as some info on what the courses cover, that would be much appreciated
Thank you
I feel like id recommend physics rather than further maths, As the other person who replied doesn't do physics I don't do further I wouldn't know what its like.
What I can say is
Picking physics does go along with maths and is a good combination to have
You should look at many different possible careers and uni courses to see there entry requirements as some require you t have tooken specific subjects
As I have already done my research as I'm currently a year 12 .
None of the unis required further maths only a few Russel groups like it was either Cambridge or oxford said jt would be be beneficial for your learning if you had it , for STEM based subjects
But most people Wouldn't have took it so if you do end up changing your mind and decide to do something maths based in the future, theylle teach you any extra maths you need
For example the further maths class at my school only Cosists of people who got 9s for gcses and love maths idk how and want to do some type of engineering at a Russel .
Whereas my physics class has more people doing it just as a extra option
One of my friends who does further maths finds it easier than pure and one of them got a D in pure but an A in further so .,... Also for further maths as far as I'm Aware there are different modules available ( decision-making, mechanics, statistics and further pure mathematics) can choose so check what your teachers gonna do
Cos if theyve chosen further mechanics and that ain't ur vibe then ya know
But in the end it depends on which subjecta you prefer and feel more comfortable in the classes and
and doing. (and if your secondary has a sixth form attached which subjects teachers are better )
As your gonna have to do a lot of extra work on your own.
See after your gcse result come out , do you prefer maths or physics rn in gcse cos further Maths is just extra maths.
But yeah I do physics and its still hard the content isn't as hard as the application , and a lot of exam questions are application , which some people find easier , not me tho 😥
Its diff for everyone but after a week or a lesson of whichever one you end up choosing you'll know .
And you can ask to change .
Hope that helped
But when you do Maths next year use bicen maths on youtube he's so helpful
Or check out his further vids rn and see if it seems interesting but if you watch his vids he'll make further lightwork for you
(edited 9 months ago)
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