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Secondary education

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Original poster

Further maths A-level question

20 replies

SleepQuest33 · 08/01/2023 20:17

Hello, I am after advice from people who took further maths A-level.

DS (currently year 11) had his GCSE mocks results recently and scored 8 in maths (predicted grade is 9). He tells me he was only a few marks away from 9 but still.

He needs to choose A Levels at the end of this month, he wants maths, Fm, physics and CS. My concern is if he scored 8 in GCSE maths is he likely to cope with FM a level?

I have no experience of a levels (studied abroad), a friend told me it is extremely difficult, she still has nightmares about it despite being amazing at maths (did her gsce at 14)

He is not sure about what exactly he wants to do at uni, but engineering is s strong possibility and I know it helps to have FM.

OP posts:
Passportpondery · 08/01/2023 20:22

If he is getting an 8 now in a mock he should get a 9 by June. The difference between an 8 and a 9 isn’t really more content, it’s fluency at exam style questions which is all school will be focussing on this term.

Should be fine for FM. (I’m an A-level maths teacher).

Choconut · 08/01/2023 20:23

DS got a 9 in maths GCSE and a 7 in Further maths and is doing maths A-level and finding it difficult enough, he definitely wouldn't consider Further maths. I would have him do those 4 anyway though with the view that he can always drop FM if it gets too much

MarshaBradyo · 08/01/2023 20:24

Ds is doing those subjects for engineering

Sounds good to me

Original poster
SleepQuest33 · 08/01/2023 20:27

Thank you Passportpondery, that is very reassuring!

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DaVariance · 08/01/2023 20:31

My DS has started A Level maths and further maths.

He told me the other day that half of the FM class have already dropped it.

So it's worth starting and if it's too much just drop it.

Mafelicent · 08/01/2023 20:35

It will depend very much on how it's taught at his school.

One school I taught in, we had twice as much time for maths and further maths as we did for single maths (ie the further maths was given its own slot on the timetable same as any other subject). Most kids coped quite well with that, even if they weren't exceptional mathematicians.

At my current school, the further mathematicians don't get any more time than the single mathematicians, ie they have to do twice as much work (and more difficult work at that!) in the same amount of time. Only the very best mathematicians cope with this.

DaVariance · 08/01/2023 20:38

I have no idea how hard it is as my DS finds it easy

He does a ton of homework and says you have to keep up with it and you're not spoon fed, unlike GCSEs, they teach you once and you just have to do it.

There isn't time to ask you just have to work it out yourself once they've shown you what it is and what's required.

You're basically on your own as it were.

He goes somewhere that has an excellent reputation and is a normal state sixth form.

You just have to turn up and keep up or they chuck you out basically it's as savage as that

EssexCat · 08/01/2023 20:41

I think the best thing for him to do is start it and if necessary drop it. After all he can’t pick it up halfway through but can easily drop it.

My son studied FM and about 1/2 to 2/3 of the class dropped it by the end of the first year.

Original poster
SleepQuest33 · 08/01/2023 20:44

Mafelicent FM has its own slot, so that’s good news I guess

DaVariance Oh dear, that is concerning. He scored 9 in other science subjects, would be a shame if he dropped FM after not pursuing one of the other sciences. He’s pretty much set on it though

OP posts:
DaVariance · 08/01/2023 20:46

My DS has separate classes timetabled for maths and FM so that's something at least

He doesn't do any extra work above and beyond what they set him.

He has his mocks coming up so he'll be interested to see how that goes esp as he's been off ill etc for some sections. He's not stressed or worried but never has been.

He was a bit lazy with some GCSE subjects he had no interest in and was quite surprised when he didn't do as well as he thought, having done no revision at all. It was humbling for him and he's not quite so arrogant about his academic ability anymore. He's happy though to only focus on what he's interested in

wisbech · 08/01/2023 20:48

If he wants to do engineering, and doesn't have FM, his first year at university will be very tough. Better to put the hard work in now.

DaVariance · 08/01/2023 20:49

SleepQuest33 · 08/01/2023 20:44

Mafelicent FM has its own slot, so that’s good news I guess

DaVariance Oh dear, that is concerning. He scored 9 in other science subjects, would be a shame if he dropped FM after not pursuing one of the other sciences. He’s pretty much set on it though

Honestly don't be concerned by what any of us tell you

Just let him go for what he wants knowing that it's perfectly ok to drop FM if need be. It takes up a lot of time so lots drop it because of that not that they can't do it. It's not something you desperately need.

It sounds like he's great at maths being predicted 9 and getting an 8 in his mocks is fantastic.

DogDaysNeverEnd · 08/01/2023 20:56

Depending on the type of engineering he wants to do is there an A level with programming in it, or maybe chemistry or physical geography for a bit of variety? I lecture in civil engineering and competency in subjects other than maths is very useful.

Original poster
SleepQuest33 · 08/01/2023 21:11

DogDaysNeverEnd He is also plans to do computer science A level which will have programming. He loves that. Too soon to know which eng he’ll go for, obviously chemical is out by the looks of it.

DaVariance Yes I think you are right, I don’t want to interfere with his choices. He needs to be happy with his decisions. Like wisbech said, he will need it at uni so best out in the effort now.

so young to have to make these tough choices!!

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ChristmasCakeAndStilton · 08/01/2023 21:20

You mention not doing FM, bt doing a different A level.
Is that possible at school? It's pretty rare to do 4 ALevels other than the 4th being FM. If so, it is worth further consideration. But if the choice is CS, Physics and Maths, with the possibility of FM or nothing it's worth starting it and seeing how it goes.

DogDaysNeverEnd · 08/01/2023 21:28

Ah sorry, I glossed over CS. Seems reasonable to give further maths a punt then, as others have said he doesn't have to carry on if it's too much. I stand by the variety comment though, if he does drop FM and the timetable allows for a GCSE in something different it is good to have a broad base, especially in things he enjoys.

Original poster
SleepQuest33 · 08/01/2023 21:35

ChristmasCakeAndStilton At his school all pupils start with either 4 a levels or 3 a levels plus an EPQ (I think that’s what it’s called?) I am not sure if it’s with a view to giving them the opportunity of dropping one if it gets too much.
I need to find out!

OP posts:
Saturdaynoon · 08/01/2023 21:37

I think he should give it a go, and drop it if it too much. If he drops it, he has 3 solid A Levels, but may rule himself out of some engineering courses, as they definitely want FM, so start it and keep options open now.

My ds did 4 A levels including maths but not further maths. He said maths alone is hard, and FM definitely helps with the straight maths A Level. Maths, FM and physics complement each other, and he felt he struggled with maths because he wasn't taking either of the others.

PandaG · 08/01/2023 21:40

If engineering or maths are possibilities at degree I would say yes to FM, as some universities expect you to have taken it of your school/ college offered it. Son was glad to have done FM when he started his engineering degree.

Original poster
SleepQuest33 · 09/01/2023 06:26

Thank you everyone, appreciate your input

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