Could someone explain to me the difference between GCSE Add Maths vs Further maths

[Thisismynewname123]

When I was at school (a long, long time ago), the top tier maths students at GCSE were given the option to take Further Maths. My DD is being offered the chance to take Additional Maths. Are these basically the same thing? Her school doesn't offer GCSE further maths. Is there a benefit to taking Add maths (she is likely to take maths at A level. My understanding is that this will cover some of the A level curriculum). I'm not saying she won't take it - she is quite likely to - I'm just curious about the difference between the two; whether Further maths at GCSE still exists, and the benefit of one over the other.

Not GCSE level, but at A level they cover different topics. My son is doing both and he wanted FA because he likes the syllabus better.
Is additional maths extension work or an actual GCSE? If you think she can cope, then it’s seems like a good thing.

Additional maths is a level 3 qualification and attracts UCAS points, while Further Maths is level 2 (GCSE equivalent). They are similar in content and both are good preparation for Maths A-level.

Thank you @noblegiraffe. Does that mean that Additional maths doesn't count as an extra GCSE, in the way that Further Maths does? I understand it gives the additional UCAS points, but don't universities usually prefer all UCAS points to be attained in the same examination year?

Further maths is a GCSE equivalent, rather than a GCSE. Add maths is better than a GCSE, more like half an AS level.

The UCAS points are because it’s a level 3 qualification, it’s like taking grade 8 piano. People don’t usually use those points in uni applications but it’s about saying it’s a high level qualification.

Ah ok. thanks for explaining, @noblegiraffe

noble explains it perfectly.

To give it another context, at Ds's sixth form if you are doing physics as an A level they also make you take Additional Maths to support your maths work in the physics A level which is beyond the GCSE level. This is of course if you are not taking Maths A level.

In Ds's school they only offer FM as part of Statistic GCSE ie sit that in year 10 then FM in year 11. Never offered in the Maths GCSE timetable slot.

My DD (just coming to the end of year 11) has taught herself Add Maths during the past year as she is going on to do Maths and Further Maths at A level. I would say it’s really useful preparation for A level. DD had a go at an AS level paper a couple of weeks ago just out of interest and to see how many of the questions she could answer - she got a pretty good score.

My DD did further maths GCSE equivalent course - it was basically self taught by the students in the top maths set. They had 1 or 2 teacher led sessions but the the rest was down to them.

Simply put, Additional Maths is harder than the GCSE Further Maths. Only available under international Cambridge O Level Mathematics - Additional (4037). It is not the same as GCSE further maths.

My DD did Further Maths GCSE too, and also Statistics (another separate GCSE). They appear on the certificates just like all the other GCSEs.

In the event she decided against Maths A level, but she did 2 x sciences and psychology, and the further maths (and the stats) definitely benefited her through her A levels and degrees.

Thanks for all of the replies. Currently, she's planing to do 3 sciences at A level, but not maths. Of course, she may change her mind nearer the time.

@noblegiraffe Thanks for the really helpful information on this thread (and many others!). Please could I clarify what you meant by "Further maths is a GCSE equivalent, rather than a GCSE"? At my DD's school, some of the more capable mathematicians are offered the opportunity to take "Further Maths GCSE". I understand the decision is made at start of Y11 but I don't think they have extra teaching hours etc. I had assumed this was a good thing to do (if offered the opportunity). Is the qualification she would receive a GCSE or something different?? Thank you for any guidance!

My DC did further maths GCSE, except when I checked on the exam board website it is actually a "level 2 certificate". Basically I think it is GCSE level difficulty but less content so not a full GCSE.

It’s the same experience as sitting a GCSE and it’s aimed at Y11 but if you want to find grade boundaries they won’t be in the GCSE grade boundary document, it’s called a level 2 certificate.

Maybe it’s because it’s only available at the higher grades (5-9) that it can’t be called a GCSE.

GCSE have to contain all the National Curriculum. They are considered Level 2 qualifications ( grade 4 and up,). But there are other Level 2 qualifications ( equivalent of a GCSE in hours of study required and having an exam at the end) like IGCSE’s and Level 2 certificates that don’t have to follow the National curriculum or in a subject where there is no National Curriculum.
Independent schools tend to offer IGCSE’s for some or all of their subjects.

I've dug out DD's certificate and can confirm what Budapestdreams and Noblegiraffe have said. It's Level 2 certificate, awarded by the AQA Board, and graded in the same way as GCSEs are (in DD's case this was letters rather than numbers).

DD did GCSE maths in Y10, then Further Maths and Statistics GCSE in Y11.

Her current degree has a lot of epidemiology in it and much of that is to do with statistical analysis. She says it's definitely worth taking if your DD is likely to go down the science route for A levels and beyond.

Many thanks all for your clarification about Further Maths GCSE. Much clearer now!

Hi All,
I wondered if I could ask a couple of questions here please ? My son is in Year 11 and he will study Maths and Further Maths A levels.

• Does Further Maths bring Ucas points like any GCSE would ? (Perhaps not as high as GCSE?)
• Would Secondary schools offer Additional Maths ? I am asking since it is an A / AS level qualification. Or would Colleges normally offer Additional maths ?

We are trying to decide which one we should request from the Secondary school and which one would be best for him.

Thank you very much