Higher Application of Maths or Higher Maths?

Hunter1981

Hi, I'm in S4 right now and currently working on N5 Applications of Math, I missed the majority of second year because of health issues which is why I've been placed in an applications class, I'm just curious if it is wise to move from Nat 5 Apps right to Higher Maths or if I should do N5 Maths in S5?

Reply 1

jbhjkghj

Nat 5 does help quite a bit with Higher but it is definitely doable without Nat 5 if you are willing to put in some time revising before starting it.

I would look over trig (quadratics and trig graphs), simultaneous equations and vectors as these come up quite a bit in higher. The basics like index rules and working with fractions are needed as well, but can probably be picked up in class fairly easily.

It's up to you but I'd recommend trying to push yourself to Higher! Just make sure to really learn the algebraic skills and trigonometric skills (don't really need the bottom 3 boxes) sections from the course spec as these are important knowledge for Higher. Good luck with whatever you choose!

Reply 2

Hunter1981

Original post

by jbhjkghj

Nat 5 does help quite a bit with Higher but it is definitely doable without Nat 5 if you are willing to put in some time revising before starting it.
I would look over trig (quadratics and trig graphs), simultaneous equations and vectors as these come up quite a bit in higher. The basics like index rules and working with fractions are needed as well, but can probably be picked up in class fairly easily.
It's up to you but I'd recommend trying to push yourself to Higher! Just make sure to really learn the algebraic skills and trigonometric skills (don't really need the bottom 3 boxes) sections from the course spec as these are important knowledge for Higher. Good luck with whatever you choose!

Thank you so much! I'll think about it but I am willing to do some extra maths study's in my spare time after the Prelims.

Reply 3

University of Strathclyde Student Ambassador

Official Rep

Original post

by Hunter1981

Hiya! (:

I did my N5 before higher, but i did it during covid and had stupidly decided to ignore majority of it till the exam😅 - then went onto higher and felt i was missing quite a lot of the fundemetal rules and stuff from n5 that are built upon!

I would reccomend having a wee look on the sqa website at the course content thats covered within the n5 - they have a pdf explaing the learning requirements in a sorta checklist fashion, i would go through that and see what is included within your current course and what isnt, see how much more it would be - it is definitly doable with the apps qualifiction but will take a bit more work to get your head around stuff if you are missing rules that your building on!

When i was doing my higher, before we started new topics i would look over the n5 content just to make sure i wasnt missing anything! - i was also attending lots of study sessions ran by my school to help with the understanding, would really reccomend if thats an option!! - or doing some questions beforehand and then going through them with your teacher (: - always great to do as they can point out anything thats maybe getting you muddled😊

either option is a good option! - going straight into the higher will be more time consuming so also worth thinking about your other subjects and how you feel it will be to balence!

hope this helps!

Emily
Year 3, Chemistry
Official University Of Strathclyde Rep