Mathematics

Mathematics – A-Level Qualification

Examining Body:

OCR

Entry Criteria:

Grade 6 GCSE Mathematics

Course Leader:

Grade 6 GCSE Mathematics

The calculator we recommend for this course is the Casio FX-991CW. It is not necessary to purchase an expensive graphical calculator

Why? :

Mathematics is the most popular A level subject in the UK with over 93,000 entries each year. Studying mathematics can be a stepping stone into a wide variety of careers including accountancy, business, computing, economics, engineering, finance, mathematical modelling, medicine, science, statistics and technology. Mathematics is welcomed by all universities as a facilitating subject and is an essential requirement for entry to a large number of degrees. If you feel you have mastered most of the grade 6, 7, 8 and 9 topics at GCSE then you will enjoy developing your skills further with this course.

Course Structure:

There are three Overarching Themes to the A level Maths linear course:

• Mathematical argument, language and proof
• Mathematical problem solving
• Mathematical modelling

The subject content is divided into three areas: Pure Mathematics, Statistics and Mechanics. The Overarching Themes are applied along with associated mathematical thinking and understanding across the whole of the subject content. Pure Mathematics Proof, algebra and functions, coordinate geometry, trigonometry, exponentials and logarithms, differentiation, integration and vectors Statistics Sampling, data presentation and interpretation, probability, statistical distributions and statistical hypothesis testing. Mechanics Quantities and units in mechanics, kinematics, forces and Newton’s laws. The content of the first year will be assessed by two internal examinations at the end of the year. Both exams are 90 minutes and equally weighted. The first exam covers Pure Maths and Statistics and the second covers Pure Mathematics and Mechanics. The second year of the course will re-visit topics from the first year, developing them further and examining them more rigorously. A number of additional topics will be introduced including sequences and series and numerical methods. The course will be assessed terminally by three examinations at the end of the year. All exams are 2 hours and equally weighted. The first exam covers Pure Mathematics, the second Pure and Statistics and the third covers Pure Mathematics and Mechanics.

Extended Learning:

Assessments based on actual A Level questions will be set at the end of each topic and marked with reference to the examination criteria. In addition students will be expected to practise techniques to embed their knowledge and develop their understanding between lessons.

Curriculum Road Map - Maths