The NEW Mathematics AS and A-Levels
AS and A-Level Mathematics
In September 2004 Year 12 will begin to study the new AS and A-Level courses.
Their will still be six modules but four of these will be pure maths modules (known as Core modules C1, C2, C3 and C4). The other two will be applied maths modules.
AS Level: C1, C2, 1 applied module (M1, S1, D1)
A2 Level: C3, C4, 1 other applied module
C1 will be a non-calculator exam. Graphics calculators may be used in all other exams.
The Core modules 1 to 4 will cover the same work as the old Pure modules 1 to 3.
C1 will start further back than the old P1. The idea is to make AS maths more accessible to GCSE Intermediate students.
A* GCSE students could do C1 in January.
There will be little or no change to applied modules.
It is not essential to buy new textbooks as the same work is covered. However, the new textbooks have C1 and C2 in the same book.
Further Mathematics
AS level Further Maths is designed to be taught alongside AS Maths Core (it covers topics such as complex numbers and matrices that do not rely on anything taught in C1 or C2).
The idea is that anyone intending to do a maths related degree (maths, engineering, computing, the sciences) should study Further Maths.
The target is get 30% of A-Level Maths students studying Further Maths.
To get AS Further Maths you only need Further Pure 1 and two other modules.
A-Level Further Maths requires (in addition to AS Further Maths) Further Pure 2 and two different modules.
AS Level Further Mathematics: Further Pure 1 and two other modules (e.g. D1, S2, M2, FP2…)
A2 Level Further Mathematics: Further Pure 2 and two more modules (e.g. D2, S3, M3, FP3, FP4…)
AS Level Statistics (Probably not available till 2005)
It is designed for students studying A-Level courses, such as Psychology and Business Studies, that rely on statistical techniques like t-tests, Wilcoxan and Mann-Whitney.
It is not for students doing AS/A2 Level Mathematics.
No calculus will be required.