Mathematics

Qualification - A Level

Exam Board - Edexcel

WHY CHOOSE MATHEMATICS?

If you stop and think about the world around you for just a few minutes it becomes inescapably clear that mathematics is pretty well inseparable from life as we know it. From understanding how planes fly, or modelling elections, or even understanding how to correctly administer the right about of medicine to a sick person, mathematics is at the base level of everything. Mathematics is seen as a useful course to have regardless of the area of speciality you would like to later go in to. Mathematics could lead on to working in finance, accounting, computer programming, various areas of science as well as many more. Furthermore if you would like to study a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) subject at university you will usually need to have A Level Mathematics. STEM graduates can earn on average £250,000 more than graduates from other specialities.

 

COURSE INFORMATION

A Level Mathematics is taught mainly by exposition by the teacher and solving problems in class, although students will be expected to contribute to class discussions of new topics. A significant part of the course will be in keeping up with the homework tasks, normally set after each lesson, consisting of exercises from the textbook or past exam questions. Much of the course involves problem-solving with students needing to demonstrate perseverance in order to succeed. Mathematics A Level builds and extends knowledge from GCSE.

 

HOW YOU WILL BE ASSESSED?

PAPER 1 - PURE MATHEMATICS Written examination 2 hours. 9 TOPICS: Proof, Algebra and Functions, Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y) Plane, Sequences and Series, Trigonometry, Exponentials and Logarithms, Differentiation, Integration, Vectors.

CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL GRADE: 33.3%

PAPER 2 - PURE MATHEMATICS 2 Written examination 2 hours. Calculators may be used for this paper. 8 TOPICS: Proof, Algebra and Functions, Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y) Plane, Sequences and Series, Trigonometry, Differentiation, Integration, Numerical Methods.

CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL GRADE: 33.3%

PAPER 3 - STATISTICS AND MECHANICS

Written examination 2 hours. Calculators may be used for this paper. 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 - Statistics Topic 1 - Statistical Sampling Topic 2 - Data Presentation and Interpretation Topic 3 - Probability Topic 4 - Statistical Distributions Topic 5 - Statistical Hypothesis Testing

CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL GRADE: 33.3%

 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

A miniumum of five grades 4 – 9 AT GCSE, Including Engligh. In addition to a minumum grade of a 6 in GCSE Maths.