Advanced level mathematics
Advanced Level (A-Level) Mathematics is a qualification of further education taken in the United Kingdom and occasionaly in other countries aswell. In the UK A-Level exams are traditionaly taken by 16-18 year olds.
Like other A-level subjects, mathematics has been assessed in a modular system since the introduction of Curriculum 2000, whereby each candidate must take 6 modules, with the combined score of these modules determining the final grade. Most students will complete 3 modules in 1 year, which will create an AS-level qualification in their own right and will complete the A-level course the following year with 3 more modules.
Exam Boards
Several different examination boards offer this qualification and include :
Modular System
Mathematics candidates have a certain element of choice over which modules are sat, however examination boards have certain regulations about which combination can and can't be used. In total 6 modules must be completed to obtain an A-level qualification.
This may not be a complete list and some modules may not be offered by all boards
- Core 1
- Core 2
- Core 3
- Core 4
- Statistics 1
- Statistics 2
- Statistics 3
- Statistics 4
- Mechanics 1
- Mechanics 2
- Mechanics 3
- Mechanics 4
- Decision 1
- Decision 2
- Decision Computation
- Differentian Equations
- Further Pure 1
- Further Pure 2
- Further Pure 3
- Numerical Methods
- Numerical Computation
Some of the above modules may not be compatible with the A-level sylabus in single mathematics.
Further Mathematics
Some mathematics student will chose to take an A-level in Further Mathematics which requires taking a further 6 modules to give a second qualification. The grades of the two A-levels will be independent of each other.
Results and Statistics
Each module carries a maximum of 100 points towards the total grade and each module is also given a seperate grade depending on it's score. The number of points required for different grades are defined below:
| Grade | 1 Module ( Out of 100 ) | AS level (Out of 300 ) | A level (Out of 600 ) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 80 | 240 | 480 |
| B | 70 | 210 | 420 |
| C | 60 | 180 | 360 |
| D | 50 | 150 | 300 |
| E | 40 | 120 | 240 |
The proportion of candidated acquiring these grade are below :
Mathematics :
| Male | Female | Combined | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entries | 34093 | 21889 | 55982 |
| Grade A | 41.7% | 46.2% | 43.5% |
| Grade B | 10.6% | 11.9% | 11.1% |
| Grade C | 15.6% | 15.0% | 15.3% |
| Grade D | 11.3% | 9.1% | 10.5% |
| Grade E | 7.3% | 5.2% | 6.5% |
| Grade U (Fail) | 3.5% | 2.5% | 3.1% |
Further Mathematics :
| Male | Female | Combined | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entries | 5106 | 2164 | 7270 |
| Grade A | 56.3% | 58.2% | 56.9% |
| Grade B | 9.4% | 9.9% | 9.5% |
| Grade C | 11.5% | 11.4% | 11.5% |
| Grade D | 7.1% | 5.4% | 6.6% |
| Grade E | 3.6% | 3.8% | 3.6% |
| Grade U (Fail) | 2.1% | 1.3% | 3.1% |
Critisisms
It has been suggested that the high proportion of candidates who obtain grade A makes it dificult for universities to distinguish between the most able candidates.
Is has also been suggested that there are inconsistancies in the difficulties of the mathematics modules, it has been suggested that students who take mechanics modules have a harder challenge than those taking statistics or decision modules.