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Secondary education

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Original poster

Maths A levels

47 replies

Orangeblossom77777 · 04/12/2020 10:31

So we have various choices for Maths next year:

Maths A level
Further Maths
Core Maths AS level

It says a bit about each in the prospectus but wondered if others knew a bit more on here as well.

OP posts:
hellsbells99 · 04/12/2020 10:34

What other subjects is your DC considering? What do they want to do after A levels. How good are they at maths? And particularly, how good are they at algebra?

Mendeleyev · 04/12/2020 10:45

They need to be absolutely fabulous at maths and really love it to do FM in my opinion. It is a big step up to A level. My DD got an 8 at GCSE and is struggling like mad with just A level. (she is yr 13). Corr maths is usually done as an extra to 3 other A levels. It may be useful backup for subjects where some maths knowledge is useful but a student wouldn’t be successful on A level.

Mendeleyev · 04/12/2020 10:45

Core. Not Corr!

slalomsuki · 04/12/2020 10:55

I agree with @Mendeleyev that maths at A level shouldn't be undertaken lightly. DS is working very hard with it and says it's by far and away his hardest A level, the other 2 being Geography and Economics. Every welled. He spends hours doing practice questions and making sure he's not left behind.

RedskyAtnight · 04/12/2020 10:55

Maths is the "standard" A Level.
Further maths is "more" maths - must be done in addition to Math A Level, and really only for the most able mathematicians.

Core Maths is normally taken by students who are studying sciences/economics etc and aren't taking Maths A Level.

Original poster
Orangeblossom77777 · 04/12/2020 11:05

Thanks. Yes it says in the prospectus with Further maths they do the whole of A level in the first year, so sounded pretty advanced.

DC in between considering Computer Science / maths or Sciences in which Core maths could be a plan. Getting around a 6 possibly a 7 in Maths.

OP posts:
Original poster
Orangeblossom77777 · 04/12/2020 11:07

Is Core maths seen as a A level for example for uni courses? So for example a B at Core maths - would that count if say a uni was looking for three Bs...sat for a science course? Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Orangeblossom77777 · 04/12/2020 11:07

Or is it a kind of extra for example doing 3 A levels and then core maths on top?

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RedskyAtnight · 04/12/2020 11:09

Core maths is not counted as an A Level. It's about half the volume of work as an A Level. Students will generally study it alongside 3 A Levels (in a similar way to students studying an EPQ). If done alongside sciences, it would support them.

Original poster
Orangeblossom77777 · 04/12/2020 11:10

They do struggle a bit with maths and have been given extra revision classes to help them do the Higher maths paper. They have extra time in exams. They already spend a lot of time revising for maths. Bit concerned it may be hard and then also not wanting to put them off.

OP posts:
Original poster
Orangeblossom77777 · 04/12/2020 11:11

Thanks Redsky that's helpful. Yes I did a science degree and could see the core maths could be useful for that looking at the content.

OP posts:
LemonOrange · 04/12/2020 11:13

I agree with RedskyAtnight.

My DS sounds similar level to your child a 6/7 level at GCSE. He is taking core maths as an extra half A level to support his sciences. He says it is ridiculously easy but would really struggle with maths A level and further maths would be impossible for him.

blackgerbil · 04/12/2020 11:15

Core maths has the same grading and UCAS points as an AS level and is judged the same by unis. Which is why it's normally taken in addition to 3 other A levels. For a comp sci degree I'd recommend the single A level Maths. ( I teach all 3 qualifications and have a comp sci degree, as well as a maths one)

LemonOrange · 04/12/2020 11:15

Just confirming it’s an extra not a full A level.

blackgerbil · 04/12/2020 11:16

Really it's very dependent on what they want to do after A levels.

titchy · 04/12/2020 11:18

If you child is getting a 6 or 7 at GCSE you can rule out FM. To be honest Maths AL will be difficult too. The Core is an AS - so the equivalent of half an A level - so won't be counted where the requirement is for the full A Level.

If your dc needs Maths AL for uni, then they'll have to take it. But be prepared for a lot of hard work, esp if they only manage a 6. They would be likely to get an E grade. Consider a tutor.

titchy · 04/12/2020 11:20

@Orangeblossom77777

They do struggle a bit with maths and have been given extra revision classes to help them do the Higher maths paper. They have extra time in exams. They already spend a lot of time revising for maths. Bit concerned it may be hard and then also not wanting to put them off.
Missed this bit. Ok you have to be realistic - they are going to struggle at AL.
cptartapp · 04/12/2020 11:32

DS1 got a good 7 in maths at GCSE and is finding it very hard going, and he has a tutor. He wishes he'd done core maths and a different A level tbh, even more so when it seems some uni's value grades over subjects depending on the course.

littleharissa · 04/12/2020 11:35

Honestly OP if they are struggling with Maths already then A Level maths will be a shock and I'd be surprised if they could do it

Original poster
Orangeblossom77777 · 04/12/2020 11:41

Thanks for the honest replies, it is helpful better to be realistic. I think he would be better not doing the maths but that means giving up on the idea of computer science in reality I suppose. Unless some universities take computer science with no maths. (he is possibly going to do computer science A level)

OP posts:
Original poster
Orangeblossom77777 · 04/12/2020 11:43

If he did Biology, Geography, Computer science and Core maths would that be an option for future Sciences courses I wonder. And possibly Computer science.

OP posts:
titchy · 04/12/2020 11:43

@Orangeblossom77777

Thanks for the honest replies, it is helpful better to be realistic. I think he would be better not doing the maths but that means giving up on the idea of computer science in reality I suppose. Unless some universities take computer science with no maths. (he is possibly going to do computer science A level)
He needs to look at uni entry requirements then!

Yes, many of the 'new' (former polys) unis offer computing degrees without a Maths AL.

Original poster
Orangeblossom77777 · 04/12/2020 11:47

Yes that was what we thought Titchy. We have had a bit of a look. Are those degrees valued by employers or not? I mean in terms of work are they still, worth it would you say? Thanks.

OP posts:
blackgerbil · 04/12/2020 11:48

A level maths with a 6 at GCSE isn't impossible, but it is hard work and it's probably possible to get a higher grade by choosing another subject. You can do a comp sci degree with no A level maths at some unis, but there's always going to be maths content in the degree and the A level really helps with this. Some of the higher paying software engineering jobs graduate entry schemes ask for A level maths as well. However I know lots of programmers who earn good money and don't have an A level in maths.

blackgerbil · 04/12/2020 11:50

PS the programmers I was thinking of have degrees from former polys. They still earn well but don't get the prestigious big name software company jobs

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