Mathematics and Further Mathematics

AS/A2 level Mathematics and Further Mathematics

Mathematics

An A-Level in Mathematics develops skills in logical thinking and the ability to process information accurately. There are very few degree subjects for which A-Level Mathematics would not be an acceptable entrance requirement.

Why Mathematics?

Research has shown that people with a post-GCSE qualification in Mathematics are very employable. A Mathematics degree is very desirable and can lead to jobs such as engineering, computing, law, finance and communications.

Mathematics also complements and assists the understanding of a number of other A-Level subjects such as Psychology, Geography, the Sciences, Economics and Business Studies.

Requirements to study Mathematics

Students wishing to study Mathematics at A-Level are expected to have achieved a grade 7, 8 or 9 at either GCSE or iGCSE level.

Examination Structure and Content Overview

The Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics consists of three externally-examined papers.

Students must complete all assessments in May/June in any single year, most commonly, all 3 papers are taken at the end of U6.

Paper 1: Pure Mathematics (Paper code 9MA0/01)

Paper 2: Pure Mathematics (Paper code 9MA0/02)

Each paper is:

2-hour written examination

33% of the qualification

100 marks

Content overview

Topic 1 – Proof
Topic 2 – Algebra and functions
Topic 3 – Coordinate geometry in the (x, y) plane
Topic 4 – Sequences and series
Topic 5 – Trigonometry
Topic 6 – Exponentials and logarithms
Topic 7 – Differentiation
Topic 8 – Integration
Topic 9 – Numerical methods

Topic 10 - Vectors

Assessment overview

Paper 1 and Paper 2 may contain questions on any topics from the Pure Mathematics content.
Students must answer all questions.

Calculators can be used in the assessment.

Paper 3: Statistics and Mechanics (Paper code: 9MA0/03)

2-hour written examination

33% of the qualification

100 marks

Content overview

Section A: Statistics

Topic 1 – Statistical sampling
Topic 2 – Data presentation and interpretation
Topic 3 – Probability
Topic 4 – Statistical distributions
Topic 5 – Statistical hypothesis testing

Section B: Mechanics

Topic 6 – Quantities and units in mechanics
Topic 7 – Kinematics
Topic 8 – Forces and Newton’s laws

Topic 9 – Moments

Assessment overview

Paper 3 will contain questions on topics from the Statistics content in Section A and Mechanics content in Section B.
Students must answer all questions.

Calculators can be used in the assessment

Further Mathematics

Further Mathematics is taken in conjunction with Mathematics and is an additional qualification. It is particularly useful for those pupils who wish to pursue careers in Mathematics, the Sciences, Engineering, Computing and Finance. For some courses at some universities this may be a requirement.

Requirements to study Further Mathematics

Students wishing to study Further Mathematics at A-Level are expected to have achieved a grade 9 at GCSE or iGCSE. In exceptional cases, a grade 8 may be considered.

Examination Structure and Content Overview

The Further Mathematics A-Level builds on the skills, knowledge and understanding established in the GCSE course and the Level 3 Mathematics course. Assessments throughout the course will be designed to reward students for demonstrating the ability to provide responses that draw together different areas of their knowledge, skills and understanding from across the full course of study for both the Level 2 Mathematics and Further Mathematics programs. Problem solving, proof and mathematical modelling will be assessed in Further Mathematics in the context of the extensive knowledge which students taking the course will have studied.

The Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Further Mathematics consists of four externally-examined papers.

Students must complete all assessments in May/June in any single year.

Paper 1: Core Pure Mathematics 1 (Paper code 9FM0/01)

Paper 2: Core Pure Mathematics 2 (Paper code 9FM0/01)

Each paper is:

1 hour 30 minutes written examination

25% of the qualification

75 marks

Content overview

Proof, Complex numbers, Matrices, Further algebra and functions, Further calculus, Further vectors, Polar coordinates, Hyperbolic functions, Differential equations

Assessment overview