Advanced Level (A-Level) Mathematics is a qualification of further education taken in the United Kingdom (and occasionally other countries as well).
In the UK, A-Level exams are traditionally taken by 17-18 year-olds after a two-year course at a sixth form or college.
The system in which mathematics is assessed is changing for students starting courses in 2017 (as part of the A-level reforms first introduced in 2015), where the reformed specifications have reverted to a linear structure with exams taken only at the end of the course in a single sitting.
[2] Not all schools are able to offer Further Mathematics, due to a low student number (meaning that the course is not financially viable) or a lack of suitably experienced teachers.
To fulfil the demand, extra tutoring is available, with providers such as the Further Mathematics Support Programme.
There are three overarching themes - “Argument, language and proof”, “Problem solving” and “Modelling” throughout the assessment.
For the reformed specification, the A* is given by a more traditional grade boundary based on the raw mark achieved by the candidate over their papers.
Core Mathematics: Covers foundational topics like algebra, calculus, trigonometry, and coordinate geometry.
Mechanics: Focuses on the study of motion, forces, and vectors, particularly relevant for physics or engineering interests.
Statistics: Involves collecting, analysing, and interpreting data, including topics like probability, hypothesis testing, regression analysis, and sampling.