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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

level 7 Maths - extra test for A level

32 replies

lloydjam · 25/08/2017 01:52

Just asking for opinions on the following. My DD school is saying that those who had a level 7 at maths GCSE will also need to pass an additional test in order to take A level maths. I think this is overkill as surely she has demonstrated an ability to study this further ?.

What does everyone else think about this? thoughts appreciated.

OP posts:

Phosphorus · 25/08/2017 02:01

Well a 7 is equivalent to a low A.

I guess they want to be sure the A level class is taken by people who are secure in maths.

So A* types and above ( 8 or 9).

Original poster

lloydjam · 25/08/2017 02:03

Thanks - I'm interested to know if this if most schools are following this .

OP posts:

RedHelenB · 25/08/2017 05:55

You just need a 6 at dd s sixth form but an 8 to do further maths.

minesawine · 25/08/2017 07:09

My school accepted with a 7 and no extra test. Seems a bit unfair.

twelly · 25/08/2017 07:23

7 is meant to be an A, would be interested to know what grade school tested last year

Livingdiisgracefully · 25/08/2017 07:33

There's just such a huge step up for A level maths. Maybe from their experience the school is worried that people will struggle if they don't have a really good mathematical ability. Perhaps the additional test assesses ability to do A level better than the gcse, which may test functional ability in maths but not be such a good predictor of A level success. I do know that when they were still doing AS's, anecdotally maths had a high drop out rate for children going on to do A2s.

woodlands01 · 25/08/2017 07:43

I'm not really surprised at this. Edexcel grade boundary for level 7 was 50% which potentially means the student could not do half the paper. A level is such a huge step and of course, the Maths A-level specification changes this year and becomes harder.

I know some schools are accepting a 6 (similar to those previously allowing a B) but as a maths teacher I would not advise it - look at the statistics for how many B grade students get a U at AS Maths, frightening. I would advise getting actual marks for a level 7 and making a judgement on that - was it a weak or strong grade, and of course accepting the advise of teachers - they know best.
An extra test, targeted at specific skills required for A-level, is a positive thing in my opinion.

SandyDenny · 25/08/2017 07:50

Are you worried that she might not pass the test? Maths A level is tough, better to make sure that students make the right subject choice. Sounds like the school is being sensible.

Laniakea · 25/08/2017 08:51

dd's school have a maths test a couple of weeks into term for everyone taking maths or physics - regardless of their GCSE results. It is mainly algebra afaik. There's also another maths test for those taking chemistry/biology/physics at the same time which is a mixture of things - conversion of units, statistics, data handling etc. They are expected to pass & advised to reconsider their A level choices if they don't.

bengalcat · 25/08/2017 08:56

It's not unreasonable . I understand there's a big step from GCSE to A level - that probably falls true for most subjects I guess . Good luck .

HemiDemiSemiquaver · 25/08/2017 09:25

Also it's possible to get a lot of marks on GCSE in certain topics that are not going to be a focus in A-level maths, and if she happens to be really good at those topics, and not as good, for example, at algebra, then it's worth knowing that before she starts as they can either say she shouldn't do it, or direct her to some remedial work to catch up.

RedHelenB · 25/08/2017 09:37

Thought the whole point of these new exams was that they were harder so surely a 7 is harder than an old A potentially

noblegiraffe · 25/08/2017 10:03

We've done this for years at my school. Everyone taking maths has to sit it. It's a very basic test of algebra and some other concepts already learned at GCSE that also feature in the first module (of the old A-level).
If a student fails this test, then they are also extremely likely to fail maths and have wasted a year. As that's the case, we then say other courses would be more suitable (e.g. Core Maths).

We also set summer holiday homework to prepare for A-level. So if you've got your A, done your homework, studied maths for a few weeks and still fail this test, maths isn't for you.

Draylon · 25/08/2017 11:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RedHelenB · 25/08/2017 12:34

Yes so will have covered harder stuff in lessons

Allthebestnamesareused · 25/08/2017 13:05

Our 6th form requires an A* (or equivalent ie. 8/9) to study Maths or any Science at A level.

TheSnorkMaidenReturns · 25/08/2017 13:12

I think its a great idea to weed out people who will struggle at A level. If you can't hack the A level you don't want to waste your time.

RedHelenB · 25/08/2017 13:15

Alkthebest that is ridiculous!

ifonly4 · 25/08/2017 13:19

DD's present school were originally saying at least an A (obviously should have been clearer than this and given a numbered grade) for Maths. Her new school focus on iGCSEs and require A*.

BubblesBuddy · 25/08/2017 13:20

My DD, years ago, did iGCSE Maths where the papers were harder than standard GCSE. They included differential equasions and other A level topics (at that time) to extend the brightest. She just failed by one mark to get an A* but got 81%. She would not have dreamed of doing A level maths. The harder elements just were not for her. I would say, take the test and know what you are good at and have confidence in your abilities. If a test puts you off, it maybe isn't for you.

Phosphorus · 25/08/2017 13:30

RedHelen why is it ridiculous?

Maths A-Level really does require a bent for mathematics. Cramming for an A at GCSE won't cut it.

You can get an A at GCSE by having mastered basic operations.

A-Level requires that you can think in numbers.

NewbiedontknowwhatIamdoing · 25/08/2017 13:32

Seems a good idea to me. If your DC can't pass the test then you can find a college/6th form that will be suitable for less able mathematicians at A-Level.

The school obviously only wants to take those they can be sure will excel, and an 'A' at GCSE, as other have said, might only be 50%.

noblegiraffe · 25/08/2017 13:49

It's ridiculous, Phosphorus because it entirely unnecessary and not good for students or the economic good of the country to restrict access to A-level maths to those with an A*.

It is perfectly possible to be successful at A-level maths with an A. We need more people taking it, not fewer.

And confidence should not be a factor, because that reduces applications from girls who tend to be underconfident in their abilities. I had to convince one girl from my top set two years ago that yes, she was capable of A-level maths and no, she shouldn't take Core Maths instead. She just got an A.

TheFallenMadonna · 25/08/2017 13:53

Completely unnecessary to restrict Science A levels to A*s. Is it a lack of confidence in A level teaching?

RedHelenB · 25/08/2017 13:54

Nobkegiraffe answered for me. There are plenty of a level students at dd s college let in on a b who go on to do science at uni. Also one not got 2 a and 3 a at a level ( maths further maths and the 3 sciences and he didn't have all A in them but was well motivated.. Also where are our maths teachers to come from?

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