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AS and A2 Level Mathematics

 

Advanced Level (A Level)

What are A Levels?

A levels are studied typically between the ages of 16-18 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.  They remain the most popular route into UK higher education institutions.

How many subjects can be take?

To gain entry to most UK university students need 3 or 4 good A Level grades, some exceptionally talented students can take 5 subjects.

What subjects are studied?

There is a broad range of A levels for you to choose from, including Business, Science, Arts and Humanities subjects. Typical combinations include:

Science, Medicine and Engineering: Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology .
Business, Humanities and Law: Maths, Economics, Accountancy, Business Studies, English Literature and Psychology .

What do A Levels consist of?

Each A Level consists of 6 units which are studied in two stages:

  • Advanced Subsidiary (AS) level: Students study 3 modules and upon completion are awarded an AS Level.
  • A2 level: After successful completion of the AS year, students can study the second set of 3 units which completes a full A Level.

Having completed the A2 Level, any AS Level grade is transferred to one A Level grade. Some students decide not to continue a subject to A2 Level, in which case they can keep their AS Level grade. This can still be used as part of an application to university.

Note : A level Maths will be changing again in 2013 with the proposal that AS and A2 Maths reduce to 2 modules each year, one Core module and one Applied module. The full details are still not confirmed, but more info can be found at QCA .

What do A level grades mean?

For each A Level subject a grade from A*–E is awarded, from 2010. The entrance requirements for the university courses are based on a point system administered by UCAS and will be expressed as either:

  • Grades: AAB, BCC or CCC for example.
  • A UCAS Tariff score: 360, 300 or 280 for example.

From 2010, a new A* grade will begin to be awarded for A levels (AS levels will not have an A*). Exam papers include additional questions to "stretch and challenge" students, and there are strict conditions on how the A* will be calculated. For an A* in A level Mathematics, students will be required to achieve an A grade and achieve 90 UMS for both the A2 modules, Core 3 and Core 4.

Note: AS and A2 module marks are give as UMS (Uniform Module Scores) which are standardises scores based on the raw exam score. UMS scores are give as a value out of 100.

To translate predicted A Level and AS Level grades into UCAS tariff points :

A Levels

A* = 140
A  = 120
B  = 100
C  = 80
D  = 60
E  = 40

AS Levels

A = 60
B = 50
C = 40
D = 30
E = 20

What else will be gained from taking A Levels?

In addition to academic study, the aim of A Level study is to develop important competences:

  • Independent thinking,
  • study skills,
  • team working,
  • research and analysis. 
 

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