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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

Original poster

Core Maths AS level?

27 replies

LimitIsUp · 20/08/2020 14:57

Ds did well enough in his GCSE's to be invited to do 4 A levels in his sixth form (grade average of minimum 7.5).

He will be doing Biology, Chemistry and Psychology but doesn't really want to do a full fourth A level. He would be interested in Core Maths AS level though.

Is this worth doing?

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 20/08/2020 14:59

Yes, in fact I would highly recommend it alongside his science and social science A-levels. It is well respected and would be very useful if he went on to do any of those subjects at uni as he would be ahead of those who hadn’t done any maths science GCSE.

It is designed exactly for students like your DS!

noblegiraffe · 20/08/2020 15:00

Done any maths SINCE GCSE that should read.

YorkshireParentalPerson · 20/08/2020 15:00

My DS is doing core maths. It is basically functional maths that employees have asked kids be taught. Very practical in every day work life. From what I understand it gives them practical insights on stats and interpreting data. It is not full on theoretical maths problems.

Original poster
LimitIsUp · 20/08/2020 15:12

Ah, it sounds like a good option. Thank you both

OP posts:
Menora · 20/08/2020 16:12

I think my DD is going to take this with 3 A Levels if it fits her scheduling blocks, it looks pretty good without being too full on?

Original poster
LimitIsUp · 20/08/2020 17:26

Sounds perfect doesn't it Menora

OP posts:
TheFallenMadonna · 20/08/2020 17:30

Core maths is great, and I would live DD to consider it instead of the EPQ but she is adamant amshe is done with Maths now.Sad

TheFallenMadonna · 20/08/2020 17:31

I hope you got the gist there!! Double whammy results day (teacher and parent) has taken it out of me!

Original poster
LimitIsUp · 20/08/2020 17:38

Thanks TheFallen - sorry you can't persuade her

OP posts:
Menora · 21/08/2020 09:02

I spoke to school today relating to something else and I mentioned this. Our school are not going to do this programme for the time being.... it’s worth checking. They don’t think they have the resources with COVID restrictions to make this work!

Menora · 21/08/2020 09:03

And I am talking about supplementary modules of anything

Original poster
LimitIsUp · 21/08/2020 09:08

Sorry to hear that

I think we're good though - he submitted his acceptance form yesterday adding that he wanted to do core maths, and he revived formal confirmation of his place a few hours later, which referenced his 3 A levels plus the Core Maths.

Thanks for the forewarning though - I will prepare him just in case they reflect further and realise they can't deliver it after all

OP posts:
Heifer · 25/08/2020 23:31

My DD is taking A level Biologym, Psycholgy and PE along with AS Core Maths. She doesn't really want to but I've said she should.

She got a grade 6 at GCSE (had been working at 7s but got a 5 in her mocks in early Jan (few marks off 6) as she hasn't revised earlier enough). Teacher told her in Feb she could get an 8 if she practiced more, but she didn't get the change to prove it. I suspect she was given a 7 but got moderated down by the SLT as not great results in last 2 years. I know this happened in another subject although DD was top of the class so her school didn't change.

I've said she needs to do Core Maths to 1, get a higher grade than 6 and 2, it will be useful for Biology & Psycholoy especially as she wants to do a Biology degree.

Thanks to @noblegiraffe I knew all about Core Maths and have nagged her a lot she take it :-)

Heifer · 25/08/2020 23:34

One thing I'm not sure of though - I thought it was a 1 year subject taken in Yr 12, but saw someone on MN say their DS was doing it over 2 years?

I was hoping DD would be able to do an EPQ after doing Core Maths (they start thinking about EPQ late June of Yr 12)..

mineofuselessinformation · 25/08/2020 23:39

Core Maths can be taken over one or two years - it's up to the school how they want to deliver it.
It's a very good course, designed to complement the other A levels a student is taking. One of the focuses is personal finance, including tax, NI, and student loans - a really good way for a sixth form student to start thinking about their future.

Heifer · 29/08/2020 20:39

@noblegiraffe - Hope you don't mind me asking you a question re Core Maths

DD is not happy that I've said she should do Core Maths -she doesn't want to,so I am trying to put together the reasons why she should...

I've noticed that there are different courses for Core Maths. Her school has chosed to do AQA Certificate Level 3 Mathematical Studies. Do you have any views on this verson?

DD wants tstudy a Biology Degree and is doing A Level Biology, Pyschology and PE

Do you think the AQA Certificate Level 3 Mathematical Studies will help her with this at all ? and how?

I'm struggling to articulate why she should it and she is too old to be told because I said so :-)

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
open to anyone to comment - all feedback helpful :-)

noblegiraffe · 29/08/2020 20:55

From the AQA website "Level 3 Mathematical Studies (Core Maths) is a new qualification designed for students who have achieved a grade 4 or above at GCSE.

It helps to develop students’ mathematical skills and thinking and supports courses such as A-level Psychology, Sciences and Geography as well as technical and vocational qualifications."

So it will support her Biology and Psychology A-levels and will definitely help her on a Biology degree where there will be maths content so having kept her skills going will be invaluable.

Maybe her having a look at an exam paper will help? She'll probably be able to attempt some of the questions already.

filestore.aqa.org.uk/sample-papers-and-mark-schemes/2018/june/AQA-13501-QP-JUN18.PDF

filestore.aqa.org.uk/sample-papers-and-mark-schemes/2018/june/AQA-13502C-QP-JUN18.PDF

Kidneybingo · 29/08/2020 21:11

Definitely worth doing if your child is studying sciences, psychology or geography at A level.

Heifer · 29/08/2020 21:13

Thanks so much @noblegiraffe - really appreciate that.

Kidneybingo · 29/08/2020 21:14

It's extra UCAS points too, but won't count for courses asking for grades, only courses asking for point totals which don't specify that the points must only come from 3 A levels. That's quite a few courses though, and of course even if it's not part of the offer, it's still a bonus if applying for science courses.

TW2013 · 29/08/2020 21:21

Jumping on to ask whether this might help with a medicine application? Dd would prefer to do English than Maths A level but would like some evidence of maths study beyond GCSE.

Kidneybingo · 29/08/2020 21:24

@TW2013

Jumping on to ask whether this might help with a medicine application? Dd would prefer to do English than Maths A level but would like some evidence of maths study beyond GCSE.
Absolutely. I'm assuming biology and chemistry are the choices alongside English?
TW2013 · 29/08/2020 22:19

Yes Biology and Chemistry are definites. Although she is good at maths and expected to get 8/9, she loves English more (and gets v high marks).

Kidneybingo · 29/08/2020 22:25

Look at the medic portal website. It gives a very clear outline of the entrance requirements for all the medical courses in the UK.

veza09 · 29/08/2020 22:29

Maths will go well with those A levels, if school think he's up to doing them all I'd definitely encourage him to try. Science A Levels involve more maths, and if he goes to university, then potentially more maths still so will stand him in good stead for university.