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Original poster

Further Maths - a bridge too far

35 replies

incogneetow · 29/12/2012 17:00

ds1 is making A level choices. He's veering towards physics, chemistry, maths and further maths. (Predicted A* in all at GCSE.)

I'm dubious about the FM:

  • I don't think he's passionate about Maths, in the way he is about physics and chem.
  • One of his reasons is someone's told him M+FM is a lighter option than a 3rd science. I don't think this is correct.
  • I did O Level Maths early and up to that point always found maths easy (as he does). But A Level was a bugger and I had to work very very hard.
  • I think dropping biology will limit his options more (pharmacy, medical science, etc)
OP posts:
moonbells · 30/12/2012 15:24

I started on Maths, Chemistry and Physics, intending to study Physics.

After 2 weeks on the course, I was forcibly changed by school to FM from Chemistry as they stated that if I was positive I wanted to do physics, this would be the best option.

I have spent the past 20+ years regretting that we let them override my wishes. At uni, the first year maths for physics course taught the entire FM syllabus over again, simply to catch up those who hadn't done it. But I never got the chance to do catch-up chemistry. Which would have been far more useful in retrospect as a physicist in a medical setting.

However, FM is NOT an easy option. And pretty much all the syllabus is needed for a physics course, so if your DS is headed for physics or physical chemistry, and his school is more enlightened than mine was, then the FM will seriously help.

Needmoresleep · 30/12/2012 14:26

My son is not a natural mathematician but is doing FM because:

  1. The teaching in his (private) school is strong and he will be well supported.
  2. He is likely to have to learn maths up to this level as part of his intended degree course (economics) and so feels he might as well learn it at school within a classroom environment.
  3. He recognises that this is not an easy option for him and so will have to work quite hard.
  4. It is a fourth A level and so not so critical he gets a top grade.

He thought quite hard about it. If any of the elements above were not in place, he might have decided against.

Original poster
incogneetow · 30/12/2012 12:34

His true passion is, and has been for many years, physics.
Therefore M & FM makes sense.
But I just wonder whether he might change his mind in the first year of A levels.

OP posts:
TheSkiingGardener · 30/12/2012 06:12

Those were my options and to be honest I loved FM. Much more interesting than the maths A level. I went on to read physics though, so I think it totally depends on what he wants to do and where his passion lies. Can he explain why he wants to do it and where he wants to go with it?

MrsHoarder · 30/12/2012 06:05

It isn't an easy option, but all 20 in my class got an A (obviously pre A* by a year or two). If he is interested in maths/physics/engineering, fm will make his degree a lot easier to cope with. Obviously if he's looking at medicine/biology etc then he needs to look at biology, but surely he realises that?

Mutteroo · 30/12/2012 05:57

Word of warning on Further Maths OP!

DS started his AS levels this year in Maths, Further Maths, Physics & Computer Sciences. He had wanted to study Chemistry but opted for the computing option right at the end of Yr11. He has now dropped Further Maths as even though he gained A* at GCSE, he was unable to process the information fast enough to be on course for the A grade he had anticipated. Most of his classmates had previously taken AS maths in year11 & not one had gained a grade higher than D. To be accepted to study FM at his sixth form, you needed to have a minimum of grade A at GCSE & so they're all mathematically good to start with.

DS is happy to have dropped FM as although he loved the subject, his dyslexic issues hindered his progress. I'm aware of three other pupils who also dropped FM either because they were told to or had chosen to. DS's maths tutor was fantastic & the support offered was outstanding. He wanted DS to continue with the subject inspite of the predicted weak grade, because he knew how much effort DS was putting in & how capable he was, albeit slower than his peers!

Your son is unlikely to have the processing/memory issues my son has but it's a fair warning that Further maths is not an easy option. My son is an extremely bright, determined young man who doesn't give up without a fight. He's had to accept defeat begrudgingly with Further Maths. DS now back on course for his predicted A grades in the three other subjects so he's happy enough with his decision.

DeWe · 29/12/2012 22:27

When I did it maths and further maths, it was an easier option than doing a third science. It was shown by maths and further maths only took 12 lessons a week whereas each science had 8 lessons each. (so equivalent of 1.5 a-levels in lessons).

What does he want to do?
If he wants to go for medicine type, he'd be better going for biology. If he's looking at physics/engineering end then he'd be much better going for further maths.

NewFerry · 29/12/2012 18:14

At DS school further maths is only allowed after interview with HOD and as a fifth AS subject precisely so if you decide maths is too difficult, or not your thing, you can drop both at AS and still have three subjects to take to A2

Original poster
incogneetow · 29/12/2012 18:04

Thanks: that's interesting.

OP posts:
circular · 29/12/2012 17:06

I've heard (probably somewhere on here) that you need to a bit careful with FM if likely to opt for medicine or something as competitive that needs all in a single sitting.
Depends how the school does it, but many do the complete Maths A2 in yr12, and FM, in yr13. So the Maths grade (which is often higher than the FM grade) does not get included in the Uni offer.