Self Teach A-Level Maths?

3

Hi , I wanted to know if I should and can be able to teach myself A level maths, for reference I want to study Computer Science at top unis, I got an A* in GCSE Computer Science and sadly got a B (6 marks off an A) in maths which meant I couldnt pick it for A Level. Trying to go to top unis in 2 years time i realise i would need a level maths no matter how strong my computer science a level grades will be.

How would I go about learning A Level Maths, I did Edexcel for GCSE so preferably i'd stick with Edexcel A Level Maths, does anyone know any resources I can use, how i would go about entering myself as a candidate etc.

I currently do Computer Science, Economics and Philosophy at A Level (I have no real interest in philosophy but I got an A* in both English Literature and an A in RS so I figured why not) , not a fan of essay subjects I love subjects like maths and comp sci to death.

Reply 1

Kingston Vee

Official Rep

12

Hi @sstikx personally I would advise against this as you're already learning 3 a-levels and adding a fourth is extremely hard to manage. Especially when that a-level is maths which is one of the hardest a-levels to do. I think self teaching will be extremely difficult as the jump from GCSE to A-level is very big and the subject matter is advanced. Of course don't completely take my advice, I think it's worth speaking to your tutor and maybe some maths teachers at the college and see what they recommend.

Best of luck!

vee (Kingston rep)

Reply 2

throwengineer

14

Original post

by sstikx

Hi , I wanted to know if I should and can be able to teach myself A level maths, for reference I want to study Computer Science at top unis, I got an A* in GCSE Computer Science and sadly got a B (6 marks off an A) in maths which meant I couldnt pick it for A Level. Trying to go to top unis in 2 years time i realise i would need a level maths no matter how strong my computer science a level grades will be.
How would I go about learning A Level Maths, I did Edexcel for GCSE so preferably i'd stick with Edexcel A Level Maths, does anyone know any resources I can use, how i would go about entering myself as a candidate etc.
I currently do Computer Science, Economics and Philosophy at A Level (I have no real interest in philosophy but I got an A* in both English Literature and an A in RS so I figured why not) , not a fan of essay subjects I love subjects like maths and comp sci to death.

The Edexcel A-Level Mathematics textbook is a bit awkward in explaining concepts, particularly in Year 2 with the calculus sections. My teacher has made critiquing remarks of it, in particular she was concerned learning and getting used to unhelpful or even sort of incorrect techniques that would make us develop bad habits.

However, I don't see why you can't teach yourself, if you're able to cope with learning a 4th course in your spare time (although A-Level Mathematics is difficult). Year 1 isn't even much different to GCSEs, it's Year 2 that picks up the pace. But if you just read up the appropriate concepts and practice them (you can even watch videos on these if you find YouTube learning to be helpful), then you can definitely do fine.

Apologies that I don't have many resources on hand, but the textbook is still good for practice questions. I would also use PMT for practice questions (I haven't tried their revision notes, you could give them a try). There are content creators like NeilDoesMaths as well.

I tend to rely on Wikipedia for general knowledge as well, if you're more logically-minded and can interpret Mathematical articles on Wikipedia well then, by all means, go nuts.

Reply 3

throwengineer

14

Original post

by Kingston Vee

Hi @sstikx personally I would advise against this as you're already learning 3 a-levels and adding a fourth is extremely hard to manage. Especially when that a-level is maths which is one of the hardest a-levels to do. I think self teaching will be extremely difficult as the jump from GCSE to A-level is very big and the subject matter is advanced. Of course don't completely take my advice, I think it's worth speaking to your tutor and maybe some maths teachers at the college and see what they recommend.
Best of luck!
vee (Kingston rep)

I suppose it depends on how much time you need to put in towards revising your existing subjects. They seem to enjoy mathematical subjects and if they're good in CS and also don't need to give too much attention towards Economics and Philosophy (although Economics is very essay-heavy...), then they can definitely get away with allocating plenty of time towards self-learning Mathematics.

I revise quite little and I'm in Year 13. I almost never see a need for revising A-Level Mathematics and A-Level CompSci revision really is just exam practice for the most part, because what you learn in A-Level CompSci is really oversimplified and even wrong at times, so I have to specifically write what the exam board wants.

My task initiation, on the other hand...

Reply 4

sstikx

OP

3

Original post

by Kingston Vee

Hi @sstikx personally I would advise against this as you're already learning 3 a-levels and adding a fourth is extremely hard to manage. Especially when that a-level is maths which is one of the hardest a-levels to do. I think self teaching will be extremely difficult as the jump from GCSE to A-level is very big and the subject matter is advanced. Of course don't completely take my advice, I think it's worth speaking to your tutor and maybe some maths teachers at the college and see what they recommend.
Best of luck!
vee (Kingston rep)

Hi, @Kingston Vee I truly do understand your concern with four A Levels haha, I was originally in Harris Westminster Sixth Form so we had to do four A levels anyway so i'm not phased by doing four as i was doing it for around a month before I switched schools for computer science.

Self Teach A-Level Maths?

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