A Level Further Mathematics
Studying Further Mathematics at A Level
Introduction by A Level Subject Specialist:
Hear from the Students:
Exam Board: Edexcel
Expected Entry Criteria: Grade 8 or above in GCSE Mathematics
Why study this course?
For a degree in Mathematics, most universities demand at least an AS in Further Mathematics.If you have a love of mathematics, you will enjoy this course. It will also build upon topics covered in A Level Mathematics and give you extra practice of those topics. In addition, you can choose to do Further Mathematics as a fourth AS level subject.
What will I learn?
Pure Maths and a mixture of applied subjects covering Statistics and Decision (discrete) maths. You will learn all the A Level Maths pure material in addition to further vectors, functions, coordinate systems and complex numbers. You will do higher series and differential equations as well as polar coordinates. Statistics extends your understanding of
distributions and populations and Decision maths introduces you to the mathematics behind networks and programming.
How will I be taught?
You will have six fifty-minute lessons per week, two of which will cover the applied topics. In addition to using a textbook, you will use websites such as examsolutions, physicsandmathstutor and drfrost websites.
How many hours a week private study will I have?
You are expected to complete six hours of private study per week. This is a combination of homework, and independent work using the above resources.
You’ll enjoy this course if…
You love algebra (solving equations and sketching graphs) and statistics (averages and charts). You enjoy problem solving and are hard working. You are quick to pick up new ideas and enjoy learning new things. You have found most of the GCSE very accessible and have not struggled with any algebra.
Course Description
For the AS, you will have two papers: one pure and one application (option of Decision, Mechanics or Statistics). These papers are equally weighted. For the A Level, there are four exams; weighted equally
between the pure and the application again. Again there are options for the application papers.
Assessment at AS Level:
Paper 1: Further Pure Mathematics 1
External written examination, 50% of AS Level
Paper 2: Further Mathematics Options
External written examination, 50% of AS Level
Assessment at A Level:
Paper 1: Further Pure Mathematics 1
External written examination, 25% of A Level
Paper 2: Further Pure Mathematics 2
External written examination, 25% of A Level
Paper 3: Further Mathematics Option 1
External written examination 25% of A Level
Paper 4: Further Mathematics Option 2
External written examination 25% of A Level
For more information, contact Ms N Poynter or Mrs C Johnson