Should I take A level Maths?

GCSE student with a target grade 7 in maths who is currently working at a grade 5 and 6. Due to my target grade I have the opportunity to study level 2 Further maths and I enjoy it. However no matter how hard I try to increase my Maths grade it stays around the grade 5 to 6 area.

I want a degree in PPE but the top universites require a high grade in A level maths.

Should I pick it or should I consider an alternate course?

If anyone has tips for me to increase my GCSE maths grade I would greatly appreciate it.

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1

AhsokaTano-

Try it out. I failed my further maths (tbf it was OCR FSMQ: Additional Maths which is a Level 3, and I'm still doing maths a level) and anyways if u dont like it or dont understand u can always say to the teacher that u wanna drop out

for maths grade - maths genie and corbett maths are good websites, and dr frost ~~or hegarty maths~~ (u probs need to pay) just found out hegarty maths died in October 2023

Reply 2

-_______-

Original post

by AhsokaTano-

Try it out. I failed my further maths (tbf it was OCR FSMQ: Additional Maths which is a Level 3, and I'm still doing maths a level) and anyways if u dont like it or dont understand u can always say to the teacher that u wanna drop out
for maths grade - maths genie and corbett maths are good websites, and dr frost or hegarty maths (u probs need to pay)

Thanks for the reply. I will try out maths genie.

How do you find A level maths? Is it as difficult as people say?

Reply 3

UoL Students

Official Rep

Original post

by -_______-

GCSE student with a target grade 7 in maths who is currently working at a grade 5 and 6. Due to my target grade I have the opportunity to study level 2 Further maths and I enjoy it. However no matter how hard I try to increase my Maths grade it stays around the grade 5 to 6 area.
I want a degree in PPE but the top universites require a high grade in A level maths.
Should I pick it or should I consider an alternate course?
If anyone has tips for me to increase my GCSE maths grade I would greatly appreciate it.

Hello,

One of the main ways to improve GCSE maths grades is just to do as many past questions and exam style questions as possible. This is because the questions often mix up a variety of topics and it can sometimes be difficult to identify which skills you need to use. This will therefore help develop your problem solving.

If you want to do A Level Maths I say go for it! I really enjoyed my A Level maths and found it much more enjoyable than GCSE Maths. I would also say that although the content is harder, the questions are slightly easier as it is more obvious which skills you need to use.

If you have any further questions please do let me know.

Charlie
Law LLB Student

Reply 4

-_______-

Original post

by UoL Students

Hello,
One of the main ways to improve GCSE maths grades is just to do as many past questions and exam style questions as possible. This is because the questions often mix up a variety of topics and it can sometimes be difficult to identify which skills you need to use. This will therefore help develop your problem solving.
If you want to do A Level Maths I say go for it! I really enjoyed my A Level maths and found it much more enjoyable than GCSE Maths. I would also say that although the content is harder, the questions are slightly easier as it is more obvious which skills you need to use.
If you have any further questions please do let me know.
Charlie
Law LLB Student

Thanks for replying.

Thank you for the advice on developing problem solving skills, I will certainly work on it.

What A levels did you take alongside maths that enabled you to have an LLB course? Are there specific subjects you need (for example essay based subjects)or is it more the case that many subjects are applicable? If that is the case, are there any subjects that can give you more of an edge in your degree?

Reply 5

nwar

Study Forum Helper

Original post

by -_______-

GCSE student with a target grade 7 in maths who is currently working at a grade 5 and 6. Due to my target grade I have the opportunity to study level 2 Further maths and I enjoy it. However no matter how hard I try to increase my Maths grade it stays around the grade 5 to 6 area.
I want a degree in PPE but the top universites require a high grade in A level maths.
Should I pick it or should I consider an alternate course?
If anyone has tips for me to increase my GCSE maths grade I would greatly appreciate it.

If you enjoy further maths GCSE, I think you would enjoy studying maths at A level. I hated maths GCSE and was pretty awful at it in Y9-10, but enjoyed the further maths GCSE a lot more. Now I am in Y13 doing both maths and further maths at A level (and they have been very helpful in applying to study Law at uni, believe it or not).

Tips:
YouTube channel called GCSE Maths Tutor - an absolute lifesaver!
Practice questions from this website called Physics and Maths Tutor - they are arranged by topic, which is so helpful

Watch the videos on the topics, then attempt practice questions. Repeat for all topics, then start doing full papers. Maths is all about practice!

Reply 6

yellowFrog33

Original post

by -_______-

GCSE student with a target grade 7 in maths who is currently working at a grade 5 and 6. Due to my target grade I have the opportunity to study level 2 Further maths and I enjoy it. However no matter how hard I try to increase my Maths grade it stays around the grade 5 to 6 area.
I want a degree in PPE but the top universites require a high grade in A level maths.
Should I pick it or should I consider an alternate course?
If anyone has tips for me to increase my GCSE maths grade I would greatly appreciate it.

Hey.
I'm a bit older than you currently in Year 12 and studying A Level maths.

Honestly, I find it a bit tricky.
This is coming from a Grade 9 iGCSE maths and Grade 9 Further Maths

I would also say G7 for maths try that but honestly you're going to need an 8/9 to be competitive.
Maths is super important for Economics so for the unis I think you're aiming for, you're going to need it.
I would also point out that for top unis your A-Level maths performance needs to be at least A.

In my gcses I got a 7 in english (1 mark off im still killing myself over it) but its not that big of a deal because English has no real bearing on PPE. But you will need to get 8/9 in Maths to be considered as a suitable candidate.

My advice: try it. see how it goes. but honestly I think you'll need a higher GCSE result.
Also, with this GCSE heading, i would strongly advice you NOT to do FM - it's reserved for only the best mathematicians in the country - don't do it because others are it's not worth getting a 7 in.

Unis are looking for a strong mathematical ability/aptitude so you need

•

G 7+ in maths

•

FM advised if possible to boost application

•

A-Level maths kind of required for PPE to be honest**

•

*** HOWEVER if you do exceptionally (9) in GCSE and very well (8/9) in FM, you'll already be shown to have a proficient mathematical ability so you may not need to do A level maths

in terms if increasing your GCSE result

•

do EVERY single practice paper in existence - maths is SOO repetitive you just need to keep doing questions

•

PMT is amazing - use it. don't do the easy questions and stop there.

•

SaveMyExams is also really good for questions and AMAZING for revision - i used it last minute and its great

•

also buy the pearson edexcel (if that's your board) revision guide - they are a godsend

what other a-levels would you be choosing if you don't mind me asking?

(edited 11 months ago)

Reply 7

Muttley79

Original post

by -_______-

GCSE student with a target grade 7 in maths who is currently working at a grade 5 and 6. Due to my target grade I have the opportunity to study level 2 Further maths and I enjoy it. However no matter how hard I try to increase my Maths grade it stays around the grade 5 to 6 area.
I want a degree in PPE but the top universites require a high grade in A level maths.
Should I pick it or should I consider an alternate course?
If anyone has tips for me to increase my GCSE maths grade I would greatly appreciate it.

Focus on your Maths and don't waste time on level 2 FMaths.

Which board is your Maths?

Reply 8

-_______-

Original post

by yellowFrog33

Hey.
I'm a bit older than you currently in Year 12 and studying A Level maths.
Honestly, I find it a bit tricky.
This is coming from a Grade 9 iGCSE maths and Grade 9 Further Maths
I would also say G7 for maths try that but honestly you're going to need an 8/9 to be competitive.
Maths is super important for Economics so for the unis I think you're aiming for, you're going to need it.
I would also point out that for top unis your A-Level maths performance needs to be at least A.
In my gcses I got a 7 in english (1 mark off im still killing myself over it) but its not that big of a deal because English has no real bearing on PPE. But you will need to get 8/9 in Maths to be considered as a suitable candidate.
My advice: try it. see how it goes. but honestly I think you'll need a higher GCSE result.
Also, with this GCSE heading, i would strongly advice you NOT to do FM - it's reserved for only the best mathematicians in the country - don't do it because others are it's not worth getting a 7 in.
Unis are looking for a strong mathematical ability/aptitude so you need

•

G 7+ in maths

•

FM advised if possible to boost application

•

A-Level maths kind of required for PPE to be honest**

•

*** HOWEVER if you do exceptionally (9) in GCSE and very well (8/9) in FM, you'll already be shown to have a proficient mathematical ability so you may not need to do A level maths

in terms if increasing your GCSE result

•

do EVERY single practice paper in existence - maths is SOO repetitive you just need to keep doing questions

•

PMT is amazing - use it. don't do the easy questions and stop there.

•

SaveMyExams is also really good for questions and AMAZING for revision - i used it last minute and its great

•

also buy the pearson edexcel (if that's your board) revision guide - they are a godsend

what other a-levels would you be choosing if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks for the much helpful tip and also the advice on my PPE course requirement.

At the sixth form I applied to I have to take 4 A levels and drop 1 if grades are low or struggling to manage the work load.

- Biology
- Chemistry (This would be replaced by maths if I was to choose it)
- Politics
- Economics

You have told me that maths is parctically needed for a PPE degree and from your advice I think I should consider another course.

Also, I Really appreciate your tips to increase grades.

Thanks.

Reply 9

-_______-

Original post

by Muttley79

Focus on your Maths and don't waste time on level 2 FMaths.
Which board is your Maths?

Can I ask why you believe L2 FM is a waste of time?

Maths board - Edexcel
L2 FM board - AQA

Reply 10

Muttley79

Original post

by -_______-

Can I ask why you believe L2 FM is a waste of time?
Maths board - Edexcel
L2 FM board - AQA

Your GCSE Maths grade is the important one not the level 2 - time spent on that takes time from other GCSEs. I teach Maths and we don't bothr with it as it contains topocs that aren't in A level Maths! Our results are up there with the best ...

GCSE Maths - Dr Frost is great https://www.drfrost.org/courses.php?coid=12809

MathsMadeEasy has graded revision questions https://mmerevise.co.uk/gcse-maths-revision/edexcel/

Reply 11

-_______-

Original post

by nwar

If you enjoy further maths GCSE, I think you would enjoy studying maths at A level. I hated maths GCSE and was pretty awful at it in Y9-10, but enjoyed the further maths GCSE a lot more. Now I am in Y13 doing both maths and further maths at A level (and they have been very helpful in applying to study Law at uni, believe it or not).
Tips:
YouTube channel called GCSE Maths Tutor - an absolute lifesaver!
Practice questions from this website called Physics and Maths Tutor - they are arranged by topic, which is so helpful
Watch the videos on the topics, then attempt practice questions. Repeat for all topics, then start doing full papers. Maths is all about practice!

Thank you for the tips I really appreciate them.

I am exactly like yourself, I dont really like maths but really enjoy further maths. Is maths A level simmilar to what its like at a GCSE level? If you dont mind me asking what your GCSE grade was for maths?

Reply 12

-_______-

Original post

by Muttley79

Your GCSE Maths grade is the important one not the level 2 - time spent on that takes time from other GCSEs. I teach Maths and we don't bothr with it as it contains topocs that aren't in A level Maths! Our results are up there with the best ...
GCSE Maths - Dr Frost is great https://www.drfrost.org/courses.php?coid=12809
MathsMadeEasy has graded revision questions https://mmerevise.co.uk/gcse-maths-revision/edexcel/

I understand why you think its practically a waste of time. Thank you for the recsources you have sent I will begin to use them. Your a maths teaxher can i just ask are there any topics I should really reviss inside out as they are common on exam papers or are they randomly chosen?

Reply 13

Muttley79

Original post

by -_______-

The papers always cover the main topics e.g. algebra, trig - the more papers you do the better really.

Do you traffic light your tests?

Reply 14

Muttley79

Original post

by yellowFrog33

Hey.
I'm a bit older than you currently in Year 12 and studying A Level maths.
Honestly, I find it a bit tricky.
This is coming from a Grade 9 iGCSE maths and Grade 9 Further Maths
I would also say G7 for maths try that but honestly you're going to need an 8/9 to be competitive.
Maths is super important for Economics so for the unis I think you're aiming for, you're going to need it.
I would also point out that for top unis your A-Level maths performance needs to be at least A.
In my gcses I got a 7 in english (1 mark off im still killing myself over it) but its not that big of a deal because English has no real bearing on PPE. But you will need to get 8/9 in Maths to be considered as a suitable candidate.
My advice: try it. see how it goes. but honestly I think you'll need a higher GCSE result.
Also, with this GCSE heading, i would strongly advice you NOT to do FM - it's reserved for only the best mathematicians in the country - don't do it because others are it's not worth getting a 7 in.
Unis are looking for a strong mathematical ability/aptitude so you need

•

G 7+ in maths

•

FM advised if possible to boost application

•

A-Level maths kind of required for PPE to be honest**

•

*** HOWEVER if you do exceptionally (9) in GCSE and very well (8/9) in FM, you'll already be shown to have a proficient mathematical ability so you may not need to do A level maths

in terms if increasing your GCSE result

•

do EVERY single practice paper in existence - maths is SOO repetitive you just need to keep doing questions

•

PMT is amazing - use it. don't do the easy questions and stop there.

•

SaveMyExams is also really good for questions and AMAZING for revision - i used it last minute and its great

•

also buy the pearson edexcel (if that's your board) revision guide - they are a godsend

what other a-levels would you be choosing if you don't mind me asking?

A lot of your advice is misleading - you don't need a grade 8 or 9 to do well at A level. Most schools ask for a grade 7.

Further Maths A level is not 'reserved' for the best - where on earth did you get that idea from? It's just not worth it at level 2.
iGCSE is different to GCSE btw ...

Reply 15

-_______-

Original post

by Muttley79

The papers always cover the main topics e.g. algebra, trig - the more papers you do the better really.
Do you traffic light your tests?

Im guessing thats red for dont know this topic and so on. No we don't.

I dont want to blame anyone but I think my teacher is very lazy with teaching and doesnt put much effort in teching the class rather gives us lectures that last 30 minutes talking how this is a very important year and in "Janurary and February time you will ask for help but its too late"??? The teacher just hands us a textbook and says completer these pages. I might be in the wrong and this is the only way to teach maths and im just blaming my teacher for my grades but its actually on me.

Reply 16

Muttley79

Original post

by -_______-

Im guessing thats red for dont know this topic and so on. No we don't.
I dont want to blame anyone but I think my teacher is very lazy with teaching and doesnt put much effort in teching the class rather gives us lectures that last 30 minutes talking how this is a very important year and in "Janurary and February time you will ask for help but its too late"??? The teacher just hands us a textbook and says completer these pages. I might be in the wrong and this is the only way to teach maths and im just blaming my teacher for my grades but its actually on me.

Make sure you traffic light tests from now. I collect marks per question so I can see class weaknesses and individual ones.

RED = not a clue so you need to re-learn and/or ask for help

AMBER = got some marks - these are the topics to focus on for rapid improvement as you have some knowledge to develop

GREEN = got full or nearly full marks, keep ticking this topic over.

Tag me if I can help further :smile:

Reply 17

-_______-

Original post

by Muttley79

Make sure you traffic light tests from now. I collect marks per question so I can see class weaknesses and individual ones.
RED = not a clue so you need to re-learn and/or ask for help
AMBER = got some marks - these are the topics to focus on for rapid improvement as you have some knowledge to develop
GREEN = got full or nearly full marks, keep ticking this topic over.
Tag me if I can help further :smile:

This is very helpful. I greatly appreciate it, honestly you've helped me more than my own teacher. Just one more question roughly how many topics do i need to learn a day for me to just do past papers by march time?

If I need any more help can I contact you on here?

Many thanks.

Reply 18

Morris Peterson

Original post

by -_______-

GCSE student with a target grade 7 in maths who is currently working at a grade 5 and 6. Due to my target grade I have the opportunity to study level 2 Further maths and I enjoy it. However no matter how hard I try to increase my Maths grade it stays around the grade 5 to 6 area.
I want a degree in PPE but the top universites require a high grade in A level maths.
Should I pick it or should I consider an alternate course?
If anyone has tips for me to increase my GCSE maths grade I would greatly appreciate it.