A-level Advice

[GirlNextDoor15]

I'm only on my first year so I'm not doing any of the further modules yet but if you're considering doing further maths then really the only thing that you could possibly struggle with is the pace and generally you have to put in a lot more work outside of lessons not for homework but to make sure you have a proper grasp of a topic as you won't do it for very long.

From what I've read the further modules involve a lot of what you'd do in the first term at university for studying maths.

As long as you get an A* at GCSE (Or if you're doing Additional Maths just an A) then you should be fine for at least the first year.

I got an A* for Maths and A for Add Maths. If I were to take this subject, what is it mainly for?

[Chippiewill]

I got an A* for Maths and A for Add Maths. If I were to take this subject, what is it mainly for?

Taking Maths at any Russel Group university or taking Maths with any other subject at any university or it looks really good on a UCAS form for anything like engineering, science etc.

Stats is really good for lots of subjects so if you don't want to do maths at university in any way then the stats modules are a good idea.

Don't do the second year of further maths if you want to study English or something as most universities would rather that you show you are good at more than one thing.

[Nemo]

I'm only on my first year so I'm not doing any of the further modules yet but if you're considering doing further maths then really the only thing that you could possibly struggle with is the pace and generally you have to put in a lot more work outside of lessons not for homework but to make sure you have a proper grasp of a topic as you won't do it for very long.

From what I've read the further modules involve a lot of what you'd do in the first term at university for studying maths.

As long as you get an A* at GCSE (Or if you're doing Additional Maths just an A) then you should be fine for at least the first year.

Im on my 2nd year now (AQA) and i pretty much agree with Chippie. In the first year we did Further Pure 1, Mechanics 2 and Decision 1. The only hard thing there was M2 and that was because of 1) the pace and 2) M2 is really ****** hard. So unless you're able to work A LOT or have a good understanding of mechanics (i have horrible understanding), it will bring your grade down.

2nd year is the rest of the FPs (FP2, FP3, FP4) and so far everything is pretty standard. They're quite complicated, but if you're good at maths and particularly core/calculus, you should be fine. There's nothing i've come across yet which wouldn't stick in my head if i practiced it.


Also just gonna reiterate the fact that you really have to do work outside the lesson. In my college, we only have 3 periods of Further Maths a week, whilst every other subject has 6. So you're having half the lesson time with a lot more work. So you have to do something outside of that.

oh, and good luck with physics. blegh.

[cocaine]

physics was very hard. it's good you're doing maths as they're basically the same. physics was mainly mechanics and suvat equations etc etc

[GirlNextDoor15]

i swear to god i wont take physics again. i've always HATED that subject!!!!

[Matthew]

I got an A* for Maths and A for Add Maths. If I were to take this subject, what is it mainly for?

Because you got an A in Add maths, you'll already have met the basics of the maths a-levels and so you'll probably find no problems in keeping up or whatever.

I'm taking additional maths now by the way; I took my gcse early and like you got an A*

[Rixion]

i'm a bit confused is additional maths an extra gcse or a-level? i've got a B, possible A in my normal maths GCSE so it should suffice?:S

[Chippiewill]

Additional Maths is a Free-standing Mathematics Qualification equivalent to really an extra GCSE or 20 (Or 10?) UCAS Points

Im on my 2nd year now (AQA) and i pretty much agree with Chippie. In the first year we did Further Pure 1, Mechanics 2 and Decision 1. The only hard thing there was M2 and that was because of 1) the pace and 2) M2 is really ****** hard. So unless you're able to work A LOT or have a good understanding of mechanics (i have horrible understanding), it will bring your grade down.

Wow, the AQA Fmaths is really weird setup. The OCR one is really nice, Core1-4, Stats1 and Mech1 first year, Further Pure 1-3, D1 and then [S2 and M2] or [M2 and M3] or [S2 and D2].

I'm personally finding Mechanics an absolute doddle, then again I'm pretty good at Physics as well.

Also just gonna reiterate the fact that you really have to do work outside the lesson. In my college, we only have 3 periods of Further Maths a week, whilst every other subject has 6. So you're having half the lesson time with a lot more work. So you have to do something outside of that.

Three?! I have ten periods, two more than every other subject. What exactly is the thinking behind three less periods a week on other subjects?

But yeah, extra work is a must, also because you cover so many modules in a year it's a good idea to keep practicing the ones you're not studying so you don't have to do as much revision when it comes to exam time.

I got an A* for Maths and A for Add Maths. If I were to take this subject, what is it mainly for?

I'd like to add to an earlier point that Ad maths is most of Core 1 and Core 2 so essentially you can sprint right through those.

[Matthew]

i'm a bit confused is additional maths an extra gcse or a-level? i've got a B, possible A in my normal maths GCSE so it should suffice?:S

If you only get a B in your GCSE then I'd suggest that you might find further maths a bit hard

[Nemo]

Additional Maths is a Free-standing Mathematics Qualification equivalent to really an extra GCSE or 20 (Or 10?) UCAS Points


Wow, the AQA Fmaths is really weird setup. The OCR one is really nice, Core1-4, Stats1 and Mech1 first year, Further Pure 1-3, D1 and then [S2 and M2] or [M2 and M3] or [S2 and D2].

I'm personally finding Mechanics an absolute doddle, then again I'm pretty good at Physics as well.

In normal amths we do C1 + C2 + M1 in the first year, and then C3 + C4 + S1 in the second year, so that combined with further maths kinda gives you what you're doing I guess. It's a bit weird really.

Oh, M1 is a doddle, just wait til you get to M2. It's a whole other kettle of fish, even for those that found physics alright, it's still really hard.

Three?! I have ten periods, two more than every other subject. What exactly is the thinking behind three less periods a week on other subjects?

Honestly? **** knows. It makes no sense at all lol and we just about get by.... i guess.