AS and A-level Mathematics builds on the foundations laid at GCSE. The course also develops rigorous and logical thought processes and provides pupils with an opportunity to develop problem-solving skills. These are valuable skills in many walks of life, and it is for these reasons that the subject is so highly regarded by employers. Pupils with an A-level in Mathematics progress to study a broad range of subjects at university. Although many students do go on to study a range of science-related subjects including engineering, finance, medicine and veterinary science, an A-level in Mathematics opens numerous doors. The transition from GCSE to A-level is significant and, realistically speaking, pupils should have attained a high GCSE grade at the higher tier of entry. There is far greater emphasis on producing clear solutions with all the necessary steps of working and pupils are taught and encouraged to write with proper use of mathematical notation and language.
The Edexcel GCE specification is followed and it is possible to study for AS or A-level Mathematics and AS or A-level Further Mathematics. The subject is taught formally for eight periods a week with an additional six periods for Further Mathematics. Pupils will be examined in all the units studied at the end of year 12. In year 13, pupils will take examinations in the new units studied together with any re-sit examinations they may require.
Mathematics
In year 12 pupils study two units covering Pure Mathematics and one of the applied disciplines, thereby obtaining an AS level qualification. The applied module could be Mechanics or Statistics and will be decided a few weeks into the course. These units are C1 and C2 (Pure Mathematics) and either Ml (Mechanics) or S1 (Statistics). Topics studied include:
Pure Mathematics
Algebra, exponentials and logarithms, trigonometry, coordinate geometry, sequences and series and calculus.
Mechanics
Vectors, kinematics, dynamics, statics and moments.
Statistics
Representation of data, probability, correlation and regression, random variables (including the normal distribution).
The first pure unit C1 requires pupils to have no access to any calculating aid. The remaining units allow any calculator (including graphical calculators) but exclude those calculators capable of symbolic manipulations.
If pupils continue to full A-level in year 13, they will extend their knowledge of the subject by studying C3 and C4, both units of Pure Mathematics. The final unit may be chosen from S1, S2, M1 or M2 (Statistics or Mechanics) depending on both the strength and choice of the individual pupil and the applied unit studied in year 12.
Further Mathematics
This is both a challenging and highly rewarding course in which pupils take their study of Mathematics much further. It provides many more opportunities for pupils to see how topics studied in Pure Mathematics can be applied to ‘real world’ problems through Mechanics and Statistics. It should be borne in mind that Further Mathematics is a subject in its own right and is substantially more challenging than a single A level in Mathematics. The workload is considerable and as such, should only be considered by very able students. Pupils will need to study a total of twelve units to achieve GCE Advanced awards in both Mathematics and Further Mathematics. These are taught as follows:
Year 12: C1, C2, C3, C4 (Pure Mathematics)
Ml, M2 (Mechanics)
S1, S2 (Statistics).
Year 13: FP1, FP2 and FP3 (Pure Mathematics)
plus at least one of M3, M4 or S3,S4.
In practice the choice of units in year 13 is flexible, catering for an individual pupil’s interests and strengths.