Further Mathematics is an A Level qualification which both broadens and deepens the mathematics covered in A level Mathematics. It is designed to be learnt alongside AS Level Mathematics in Year 12.

Any student planning to take a mathematics-rich degree (this covers a very wide range of academic areas - Engineering, Sciences, Computing, Finance/Economics, etc, as well as Mathematics itself) will benefit enormously from taking Further Mathematics. Students who are not planning to study for mathematics-rich degrees but who are keen on mathematics will find Further Mathematics a very enjoyable course and having a Further Mathematics Qualification identifies students as having excellent analytical skills, whatever area they plan to study or work within.

Further Mathematics introduces new topics such as matrices and complex numbers that are vital in many mathematics-rich degrees. Students who have studied Further Mathematics find the transition to such degrees far more straightforward. Studying Further Mathematics should also boost your performance in A Level Mathematics. To study Further Mathematics at advanced level you must be studying A Level Mathematics, and should have the very top grades from GCSE Mathematics.

The course is based on the Edexcel Further Maths A Level. You will study three areas of mathematics if you choose to take Further Maths. These are currently Pure Mathematics (compulsory), Mechanics and Statistics however there

are also options to study Further Pure Mathematics or Decision Mathematics. These options are decided by the Mathematics department each year based on the cohort.

Assessment
A2
Four exams;
Paper 1: – Core Pure Mathematics 1: Written examination - 1 hour and 30 minutes, 25% of the 3 qualification, 75 marks.

Paper 2: – Core Pure Mathematics 2: Written examination -1 hour and 30 minutes, 25% of the qualification, 75 marks. Paper 1: and 2 content: Proof, Complex numbers, Matrices, Further algebra and functions, Further calculus, Further vectors, Polar coordinates, Hyperbolic functions, Differential equations.

Paper 3: - Further Statistics 1: Written examination - 1 hour and 30 minutes, 25% of the qualification, 75 marks.
Paper 3 content: Probability distributions, Hypothesis testing, Chi squared tests, Central Limit Theorem, Probability generating functions, Quality of tests.

Paper 4: – Further Mechanics 1: Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes, 25% of the qualification, 75 marks. Paper 4 content: Momentum and impulse, Work, energy and power, Elastic collisions in one and two dimensions, Elastic strings and springs and elastic energy.

For A Level Further Mathematics students must complete all assessment in May/June in any single year.

Is there anything else I should know?

You should only be choosing AS Further Mathematics if you are also taking AS Mathematics and have a deep love of Mathematics as it will be 2/3s of your A-levels. A calculator may be used in all examinations. The exam board recommend the Casio fx991-EX. This can be purchased through the school in order to get the best price. There is no coursework in A Level Further Mathematics.

Progression Routes

Further Mathematics qualifications are highly regarded and are strongly welcomed by universities. Students who take Further Mathematics are really demonstrating a strong commitment to their studies, as well as learning mathematics that is very useful for any mathematics-rich degree.