A Level Maths stands for Advanced Level Mathematics, which is a qualification of further education issued in the United Kingdom and occasionally in other countries as well. Furthermore, A-level Maths, regarded as one of the toughest subjects in A – Level, has been assessed in a linear structure with the exams taken only at the end of the course in a single sitting as new specifications introduced in 2017.

 

In the UK, A Level Mathematics Exams are typically taken by 17-18-year-old candidates after a 2-year course at a sixth form or college. More specifically, to succeed in A Level Maths, you need to complete 3 modules creating your AS Level Qualification and accomplish the 3 remaining modules in the second year of the advanced course. In this article, we provide you with a comprehensive overview of A Level Maths. Let’s get started!

 

1. What’s A Level Maths about?

 

what is a level maths
What is A Level Maths?

 

It is believed that A Level Mathematics is a subject of complicated calculations. However, if you are studying for A Level Maths, you understand that calculations from only a small part, and it mainly requires learners to have clear thinking and the development of specific ideas into generalized solutions. In other words, A Level Mathematics deals with highly abstract topics which require considerable imagination combined with the rules. 

 

A Level Mathematics gives you the opportunity to study topics related to pure mathematics such as geometry, calculus, and trigonometry and to use these concepts and ideas within the ‘applied’ topics such as mechanics and statistics. More specifically, while mechanics which is strongly linked to physics builds on ideas of motions and forces to comprehend how  and why objects move, statistics give us analytical methods to draw reliable conclusions from sets of massive information

 

As you can see, almost all the practical developments in science, IT, and economics in our life are based on mathematics. If you have a real love for this subject and want to extend and deepen your knowledge and understanding beyond the standard A Level Maths, you can study Further Mathematics or Additional Further Mathematics as a separate A Level qualification. A wide variety of topics and applications of mathematics are required to study at this level which is similar to A Math level topics but provides a challenge and a chance to explore new and/ or more sophisticated mathematical concepts.

 

2. What are modules on A Level Maths? 

 

The standard A  Level Maths consists of 6 modules in total as follows: 

 

  • 4 pure modules (C1, C2, C3, and C4) cover the major topics of mathematics such as Logarithms, Differentiation, Integration, and Geometric or Arithmetic Progressions.

 

  • 2 applied modules cover  Statistics, Mechanics, and/or Decision Mathematics. 

 

Keep in mind that the 2 chosen modules for the final two parts of the A Level are determined either by a student’s personal choices and interests, or the course choice of their school or college. However, it commonly took the form of S1 (Statistics) and M1 (Mechanics).

Since the introduction of Curriculum 2000, A Level mathematics has been assessed in a modular system, whereby each candidate must take 6 modules and the best-achieved score in each of these modules will contribute to your final score.

However, as part of the A Level reforms first introduced in 2015, the mathematics assessment has been changing for students starting courses in 2017 according to a linear structure – it means that exams are only taken at the end of the course in a single sitting. Three overarching themes include “Argument, Language and Proof”, “Problem Solving” and “Modelling” throughout the assessment. Three papers will be structured according to each board below: 

 

2.1. AQA

 

  • Paper 1: Pure Mathematics
  • Paper 2: Content on Paper 1 plus Mechanics
  • Paper 3: Content on Paper 1 plus Statistics

 

2.2. Edexcel

 

  • Paper 1: Pure Mathematics 1
  • Paper 2: Pure Mathematics 2
  • Paper 3: Statistics and Mechanics

 

2.3. OCR

 

  • Paper 1: Pure Mathematics
  • Paper 2: Pure Mathematics and Statistics
  • Paper 3: Pure Mathematics and Mechanics

 

3. What is the style of exam questions on A Level Exam?

 

The questions of the A-Level Maths test tend to be more complicated, challenging, and less wordy. More specifically, A-Level questions often do not lead you down the right path. In fact, to get the marks for an A-Level Maths question, not only do you need the actual Maths skills but you also need the knowledge to know which skill you have to apply to solve mathematical problems. 

 

a level maths past papers
A Sample of AQA A Level Maths Past Papers Question

 

4. What topics are on an A Level Maths exam?

 

If you are preparing for the A Level Maths exam, you need to study for the major topics tested which are split up into 3 separate components Pure Maths, Statistics, and Mechanics as follows:

 

A Level Maths Pure A Level Maths Statistics A Level Maths Mechanics
Proof

Algebra and Functions

Coordinate Geometry

Sequences and Series

Trigonometry

Exponentials and Logarithms

Differentiation

Integration

Numerical Methods

Vectors

 Statistical Sampling

Data Presentation and Interpretation

Probability

Statistical Distributions

Statistical Hypothesis Testing

 Quantities and Units in Mechanics

Kinematics

Forces and Newton’s Laws

Moments

 

5. What textbooks should you use for your A Level exam?

 

If you want to do well in A Level Maths, there are 2 types of textbooks you must have including Revision Guides and Classroom Textbooks.

 

a level maths textbook
What are the best textbooks you should use for your A – Level exam?

 

5.1.  Revision Guides Textbooks for A  Level Maths: 

 

First and foremost, it should be noted that the Revision Guides Textbooks are more used for wrapping mathematical knowledge you already know instead of explaining the concepts in detail. Which revision guide should you get for A-Level Maths? Because revision guides will be written for each exam board such as AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, CCEA, or CIE. Thus, make sure you know your exam board before taking the textbook. Now, let’s see some of our high recommendations for each exam board as follows: 

 

  • Fantastic Revision Guide For Edexcel A-Level Maths

 

  • Fantastic Revision Guide For AQA A-Level Maths

 

  • Fantastic Revision Guide For OCR A-Level Maths

 

The above revision guide textbooks are highly recommended because of their helpful contents covering Year 1 & Year 2 A  Level Maths contents and their rationale cost.

 

5.2. Classroom Textbooks for A  Level Maths: 

 

Unlike the Revision Guides, Class Textbooks do give explanations for mathematical concepts in massive detail. Normally, this kind of textbook is used for learning concepts that you haven’t understood yet in class. Thus, they can also be extremely helpful during the 2-year learning period for A-Level Maths. Once again, make sure that you get the right class textbook for your exam board –  such as AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, CCEA or CIE. Below are example lists of textbooks you need according to 3 exam boards and you need to get every textbook under your exam board list. Let’s check it out!

 

Exam Board Classroom textbooks for A Level Maths
Edexcel  Edexcel A-Level Maths Textbook (Year 1 Content)
Edexcel A-Level Maths Textbook (Year 2 Content)
AQA AQA A-Level Maths Textbook (Year 1 Content)
AQA A-Level Maths Textbook (Year 2 Content)
OCR OCR A-Level Maths Textbook (Year 1 Content)
OCR A-Level Maths Textbook (Year 2 Content)

 

*Take Note: If you are trying to spend as little as possible, the classroom textbooks are not absolutely essential, they’re just really helpful. So if you are on a budget, just get the revision guides as they are the most helpful out of the two types of the textbook by far.

 

In short, our blog provides you with helpful information about the Standard A Level Mathematics Exam. Hope you guys can prepare well for your test. Let’s take our A Level Maths Practice Questions now on our website or the mobile application!