A level Mathematics

Awarding Body: AQA
Specification Details: Mathematics/Further Mathematics Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced Level

Course Details

The course consists of modules covering Pure Mathematics, Mechanics, Statistics and Decision Mathematics.

Units at AS

1.PC1: Core 1 (Algebra, Co-ordinate Geometry, Introductory  Differentiation and Integration).  Calculators not allowed.
2.PC2: Core 2 (Algebra/Functions, Sequences/Series, Trigonometry,  Exponentials, Logarithms, Differentiation and Integration).

either

3.M1B: Mechanics 1 (Mathematical Modeling, Kinetics in One/Two  Dimensions, Statics/Forces, Momentum, Newton¡¯s Laws of  Motion, Connected Particles and Projectiles).

or

4.DO1: Decision 1 (Simple Ideas of Algorithms, Graphs/Networks,  Spanning Trees, Matchings, Shortest Paths, Route  Inspection/Traveling Salesperson Problems, Linear Programming  and Mathematical Modeling).

Each module involves an examination worth 75 marks which lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and accounts for 33¨÷% of the AS grade.

(These modules also comprise the first 50% of the final A2 grade)

Units for A2

5. PC3: Core 3 (Further Algebra/Functions, Trigonometry,  Exponentials, Logarithms, Numerical Methods, Differentiation  and Integration).
6. PC4: Core 4 (Further Algebra/Functions, Co-ordinate Geometry in  the (x/y) plane, Sequences/Series, Trigonometry, Exponentials,  Logarithms, Vectors, Differentiation and Integration).

either

7. M2B: Mechanics 2 (Mathematical Modeling, Moments, Centres  of Mass, Kinetics, Newton¡¯s Laws of Motion, Application of  Differential Equations, Uniform/Verticular Circular Motion, Work  and Energy).

or

8. S1A: Statistics 1 (Numerical Measures, Probability,  Binomial/Normal Distributions, Estimation, Correlation and  Regression).

These modules are added to the results from the previous AS modules.  Each module involves an examination worth 75 marks which lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and accounts for 16¨ø% of the final A2 grade.

Except S1A which involves a piece of coursework involving around 8-10 hours of work plus an examination worth 60 marks which lasts 1 hour 15 minutes.  The exam is worth 12¨ö% and the coursework 41/6% of the final A2 grade.

Units for Further Mathematics

1. FP1: Further Pure 1 (Algebra/Graphs, Complex Numbers,  Roots/Coefficients of a Quadratic Equation, Series, Calculus,  Numerical Methods, Trigonometry, Matrices and Transformations).
2. FP2: Further Pure 2 (Roots of Polynomials, Complex Numbers, De  Moivre¡¯s Theorem, Proof by Induction, Finite Series, Hyperbolic  Functions, Arc Length and Area of Surface of Revolution about  the x-axis).
3. FP3: Further Pure 3 (Series/Limits, Polar Co-ordinates, First and  Second Order Differential Equations).
4. FP4: Further Pure 4 (Matrix Algebra, Solutions of Linear  Equations, Determinants, Linear Independence, Vectors and  Three-Dimentional Co-ordinate Geometry).
5. Two from M1B, M2B, S1A or DO1 depending upon the modules  taken as part of AS/A2 Mathematics.

The Further Pure Modules each involve an examination worth 75 marks which lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Coursework Details

S1A is the only module which involves a piece of coursework.

Examination Grades

The range of possible grades are A-E.
Grade boundaries are around A: 80%, B: 70%, C: 60%, D: 50% and E: 40%. 

Skills required to start the course

Knowledge of the GCSE higher tier content.

GCSE entry requirements

Students are generally expected to have achieved at least a grade B  in Mathematics.

Possible Career Pathways

Engineering, Science, Law, Teaching, Business, Computing.