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Original poster

Crash in Maths degree applications following new Maths GCSE and A-level

32 replies

noblegiraffe · 13/04/2019 09:43

Current Y13 are the first cohort to have sat the reformed maths GCSE and reformed maths A-level.

And there has been an unexpected dip in the number of applications for maths degrees. Some of this can be explained by a dip in cohort numbers, but not all.

I personally hate the new maths A-level. The papers are a really long slog and where students previously got 50% of their marks answering easier AS questions, now the majority of the questions are pretty hard.

I’ve seen suggestions on twitter that the new A-level won’t last long. Hopefully not, and hopefully these figures will hasten that.

twitter.com/slsingh/status/1116978758966239232?s=21

OP posts:
Piggywaspushed · 13/04/2019 10:31

The new English Lit GCSE has had the same effect. Totally counter to what Gove says he intended.

TheFirstOHN · 13/04/2019 10:11

Sorry, I took so long to type my last comment (went to check with DS2 what his classmates were planning to study) that it cross-posted with noblegiraffe 's last comment.

TheFirstOHN · 13/04/2019 10:10

I think things are harder for that first year group (current Y13) as they were the first to do the new specifications.

Perhaps the numbers might level out over the next couple of years?

DS2 is in the year below, doing Maths and F.Maths. He is enjoying Maths A-level so far (has nearly completed the syllabus).

There are several pupils in his set who would be capable of applying to study Maths, but most seem to be looking at related subjects: Physics, Computer Science etc. It would be interesting to see whether the number of applicants to other STEM subjects has fallen or not.

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 13/04/2019 10:07

Having had a look at the data, there’s a general drop across the UK, worst in Wales, new GCSE and A-levels are England only.

Wonder if kids who would have taken maths are being encouraged into engineering/comp sci/accounting or more vocational pathways?

OP posts:
PostNotInHaste · 13/04/2019 09:55

Oooo, DS also looking at Maths and Further Maths A levels but still only year 10.

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 13/04/2019 09:52

I think the grade boundaries will be on the floor so grades will be preserved, but the whole experience is just less pleasant, and for no benefit that I can see.

OP posts:
Saucery · 13/04/2019 09:48

Eek, DS wants to do Maths and Further Maths A level in Sept. I expect his teachers have informed him how intensive they are. They certainly did for FM as I was there.