Is further maths a level worth it?

11

I'm a year 11 student looking into dentistry (or possibly med but the fact that it's so competitive puts me off). I get similar grades to those who do further maths gcse at my school but i didnt get chosen for it (and honestly i just blame it on the fact that I didnt independently learn the topics at home which came up in year 10 mocks). Anyways I genuinely enjoy maths but the fact i dont do further maths at gcse makes me think further maths a level would be too hard. Even though i'm looking into dentistry i'm not really set on it so i was hoping further maths could give me alternate career choices if i change my mind about bio/chem pathways, as well as helping me with normal a level maths. I have an option to and further maths a level as a 4th with bio chem and maths. Should I try it out or not? for context i was 5 marks off an 8 in my december mocks without learning all the content/topics which came up.

Reply 1

LJMUStudentReps

Official Rep

19

Hi @a1ici4

Its great that your thinking ahead from now! I dont think missing out on further maths GCSE puts you behind especially with how close you were to a grade 8 in maths at is. If you were to take it, of course you would need to spend the extra time on further maths although it would make your first maths a level feel much easier, and your mathematical focus would shift to the further maths!

It will help to pick 4 but it is not necessary! If you feel comfortable taking on 4, go for it and worse case scenario you can drop the further maths and go back to 3 A-levels provided you drop it by the deadline that your constitution has for dropping subjects!

Getting through the 2 years with all 4 A-levels will give you an extra edge though in getting into higher ranked unis! Either way you will be able to study plenty of things even if you sway away from the clinical route, so well done!

Jad, LJMU Rep

Reply 2

a1ici4

OP

11

Original post

by LJMUStudentReps

Hi @a1ici4
Its great that your thinking ahead from now! I dont think missing out on further maths GCSE puts you behind especially with how close you were to a grade 8 in maths at is. If you were to take it, of course you would need to spend the extra time on further maths although it would make your first maths a level feel much easier, and your mathematical focus would shift to the further maths!
It will help to pick 4 but it is not necessary! If you feel comfortable taking on 4, go for it and worse case scenario you can drop the further maths and go back to 3 A-levels provided you drop it by the deadline that your constitution has for dropping subjects!
Getting through the 2 years with all 4 A-levels will give you an extra edge though in getting into higher ranked unis! Either way you will be able to study plenty of things even if you sway away from the clinical route, so well done!
Jad, LJMU Rep

That's really helpful and insightful tysm

Reply 3

University of Bath

Official Rep

14

Original post

by a1ici4

I'm a year 11 student looking into dentistry (or possibly med but the fact that it's so competitive puts me off). I get similar grades to those who do further maths gcse at my school but i didnt get chosen for it (and honestly i just blame it on the fact that I didnt independently learn the topics at home which came up in year 10 mocks). Anyways I genuinely enjoy maths but the fact i dont do further maths at gcse makes me think further maths a level would be too hard. Even though i'm looking into dentistry i'm not really set on it so i was hoping further maths could give me alternate career choices if i change my mind about bio/chem pathways, as well as helping me with normal a level maths. I have an option to and further maths a level as a 4th with bio chem and maths. Should I try it out or not? for context i was 5 marks off an 8 in my december mocks without learning all the content/topics which came up.

Hi there A1ici4,

I was actually in a very similar position to you when I was in yr12, not confident that I could take a Maths A-level due to not being able to do GCSE Further Maths!

The questions is - if not Dentistry or Med, what might you be likely to want to do? If its something like Physics, straight Maths, Economics or Mechanical Engineering (or another heavily-mathematical subject) then Further Maths may be helpful to you, however if its something else entirely such as anything Healthcare/Bioscience/Clinical-related, or something only mildly mathsy such as Psychology, Management or Biology/Chemistry and this is what you're interested in, then most unis will not ask specifically for Further Maths A-level.

As has been said, unis will generally only ever ask you for 3 A-levels and with your Biol, Chem and Maths this will open a great range of doors and the added value of Further Maths may not be worth the extra strain it would put on your workload and time. It will be far more advantageous to you to do 3 A-levels and get 3 better grades and protect yourself from burning out, than trying to take on 4 and have the grades potentially lower because you're spreading your time too thinly. It entirely depends on you and what you think you can manage.

I hope this helps a little bit - very best of luck with yr11 🙂

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 4

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

20

Original post

by a1ici4

I'm a year 11 student looking into dentistry (or possibly med but the fact that it's so competitive puts me off). I get similar grades to those who do further maths gcse at my school but i didnt get chosen for it (and honestly i just blame it on the fact that I didnt independently learn the topics at home which came up in year 10 mocks). Anyways I genuinely enjoy maths but the fact i dont do further maths at gcse makes me think further maths a level would be too hard. Even though i'm looking into dentistry i'm not really set on it so i was hoping further maths could give me alternate career choices if i change my mind about bio/chem pathways, as well as helping me with normal a level maths. I have an option to and further maths a level as a 4th with bio chem and maths. Should I try it out or not? for context i was 5 marks off an 8 in my december mocks without learning all the content/topics which came up.

If you are looking at healthcare courses then further maths has the potential to lower your grades enough that you could miss all your offers or not get any offers. Med and dent are very competitive and you need to do work experience, volunteering, entrance exam prep, interview prep, supercurriculars etc all whilst getting As- this is challenging enough with 3 a levels. Do not take further maths unless you have a significant interest in maths, economics or computer science.

Is further maths a level worth it?

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