Is Further Maths worth it?

I'm currently doing GCSEs in Year 11 and going on into Sixth Form in September taking A-Level Maths, Physics & Computer Science. I'm also looking at going to Uni for a degree apprenticeship in Computer Science after A-Levels. I'm targeted to get a high enough grade at GCSE Maths to take Further Maths in Sixth Form at my school, and I'm thinking about taking that too but wondering if it's worth it. I have 2 friends in Year 12 doing the same subjects, 1 who took FM and 1 who didn't (regretted it and is now taking it externally) and both tell me that FM is worth it, however it isn't a requirement for the degree and other people I've spoken to say that it's hell and to not take it. If there's anyone who has taken or is currently taking FM, any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

Reply 1

McGinger

20

Taking FM, even to AS level, will give you many more post-school options - and support your other A level subjects.
Recommended.

Reply 2

Muttley79

20

Original post by olliedr

I'm currently doing GCSEs in Year 11 and going on into Sixth Form in September taking A-Level Maths, Physics & Computer Science. I'm also looking at going to Uni for a degree apprenticeship in Computer Science after A-Levels. I'm targeted to get a high enough grade at GCSE Maths to take Further Maths in Sixth Form at my school, and I'm thinking about taking that too but wondering if it's worth it. I have 2 friends in Year 12 doing the same subjects, 1 who took FM and 1 who didn't (regretted it and is now taking it externally) and both tell me that FM is worth it, however it isn't a requirement for the degree and other people I've spoken to say that it's hell and to not take it. If there's anyone who has taken or is currently taking FM, any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

Taking FMaths will give you a greater choice of universities. The decision moptions are useful for CS but some schools don't give students a choice.

Reply 3

sandyjones

9

Original post by olliedr

I'm currently doing GCSEs in Year 11 and going on into Sixth Form in September taking A-Level Maths, Physics & Computer Science. I'm also looking at going to Uni for a degree apprenticeship in Computer Science after A-Levels. I'm targeted to get a high enough grade at GCSE Maths to take Further Maths in Sixth Form at my school, and I'm thinking about taking that too but wondering if it's worth it. I have 2 friends in Year 12 doing the same subjects, 1 who took FM and 1 who didn't (regretted it and is now taking it externally) and both tell me that FM is worth it, however it isn't a requirement for the degree and other people I've spoken to say that it's hell and to not take it. If there's anyone who has taken or is currently taking FM, any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

If you're struggling with grade 9 gcse math questions, i wouldn't take further maths, as there's quite a lot of content to cover, along with your other a-levels. However, looking at ur a-level choices, i assume you may want to do something in the engineering field? if that's the case, then i would def recommend choosing fm as it would boost your confidence in uni and def get you ahead

Reply 4

Aijahdj

9

Original post by olliedr

I'm currently doing GCSEs in Year 11 and going on into Sixth Form in September taking A-Level Maths, Physics & Computer Science. I'm also looking at going to Uni for a degree apprenticeship in Computer Science after A-Levels. I'm targeted to get a high enough grade at GCSE Maths to take Further Maths in Sixth Form at my school, and I'm thinking about taking that too but wondering if it's worth it. I have 2 friends in Year 12 doing the same subjects, 1 who took FM and 1 who didn't (regretted it and is now taking it externally) and both tell me that FM is worth it, however it isn't a requirement for the degree and other people I've spoken to say that it's hell and to not take it. If there's anyone who has taken or is currently taking FM, any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

if you're good at maths definitely take it. if you find it too hard you can drop it after the first few weeks anyway. i don't know what kind of grades/unis you are aiming for but cs courses at top unis highly recommend FM

Reply 5

ivanita12

14

Original post by olliedr

I'm currently doing GCSEs in Year 11 and going on into Sixth Form in September taking A-Level Maths, Physics & Computer Science. I'm also looking at going to Uni for a degree apprenticeship in Computer Science after A-Levels. I'm targeted to get a high enough grade at GCSE Maths to take Further Maths in Sixth Form at my school, and I'm thinking about taking that too but wondering if it's worth it. I have 2 friends in Year 12 doing the same subjects, 1 who took FM and 1 who didn't (regretted it and is now taking it externally) and both tell me that FM is worth it, however it isn't a requirement for the degree and other people I've spoken to say that it's hell and to not take it. If there's anyone who has taken or is currently taking FM, any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

It Kind of depends if you are good at maths

Reply 6

olliedr

OP

7

Original post by ivanita12

It Kind of depends if you are good at maths

I've always been able to understand maths, but I wasn't trying properly in school until January, so it's unlikely that I'll get a 9. However, I've been doing practice questions and been getting the grade 8/9 questions correct without dropping marks and I've managed to teach myself the early topics in AS maths and they seem manageable.

Reply 7

SiberianLIGER

9

Original post by olliedr

I've always been able to understand maths, but I wasn't trying properly in school until January, so it's unlikely that I'll get a 9. However, I've been doing practice questions and been getting the grade 8/9 questions correct without dropping marks and I've managed to teach myself the early topics in AS maths and they seem manageable.

Further Maths is much more difficult than A-level Maths, but imo it is well worth it. You get both a broader and deeper understanding of the subject, and the opportunity to learn more specialised skills in the optional modules (you could take decision maths for instance, which would greatly help when applying for CS).

While I enjoyed the course and would highly recommend it, it also depends on how good your teachers are. I was able to succeed largely because I had wonderful teachers who knew all of the content and how to teach it to a high standard. I had peers taking FM at a different college who had a very different experience and ended up dropping it altogether.

In short, if you've an interest in maths and the teaching of the course is good at your college, then I would highly recommend it.

Is Further Maths worth it?

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