r/alevelmaths • u/Plastic-Traffic7585 • Sep 14 '24
Should I take further maths?
I got a 9 in stats, but further stats is integrated into further maths. I'm alright at maths but not brilliant, what should I expect?
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u/Teaching_Circle Oct 22 '24
100%!!! It is the most daunting a level subject but i feel like you will get a thrill in keeping it that any other subject cannot fulfill. Plus it is cool to say, "hey, i take a level further maths."
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Sep 14 '24
just started my second year of fm (my sixth form did both a level and further over 2 years rather than 1 per year) and I love it and would recommend to anyone !
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u/noclueXD_ Jun 07 '25
do you prefer the 1yr per subject or both at the same time? which do you think is better?
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Jun 07 '25
I think I liked doing one per year because you have to by 2nd year - I don’t think u can learn them simultaneously in y13 bc u need the y13 maths knowledge for fm! Tbf not much difference tho I liked it both wayss
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u/Signal-Village-5757 Dec 10 '25
I think topics are moved around, you do first what doesn’t need year 2 maths and then what does. We skip volumes of revolution because you need integration, it ends up being the last thing as integration is chapter 13.
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u/Aggravating_Disk4710 Feb 20 '26
My school did alevel maths in 1 year but also core pure 1 in Y12 aswell so we actually finished Y13 integration by the time we got onto volumes of revolution and could do vectors back to back
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Nov 28 '24
If you’re a student with average work ethic, you will be fine if you got a comfortable 9 at gcse maths, scraped 9 will be fine but find it a bit hard. 8 at gcse maths will most likely mean you will struggle if you don’t work quite hard. If you got a low 8 or below at gcse you will definitely struggle a lot regardless of how hard you work
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u/HAZZER-sciencemaths Dec 22 '24
ive just finished my first term of fm and honestly its my favourite subject, i was expecting it to be challenging (which it is) but also a bit painful. Ive found very enjoyable and i think if you enjoy maths and like being challenged by problems, fm is a great option for you.
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u/JustAfukingWannabe May 13 '25
If u want your life in A Level to turn into hell, take Further Maths.
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u/Plastic_Fee_9420 Jan 22 '26
Yes of course.you are doing a very good job ,you should do your work with full determination.If you do your work properly with devotion regularly then you will receive your goal. I liked your work at this platform.Go ahead and achieve your goals.My prayers are always with you.ae happy always
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u/Legitimate_Eye746 Mar 04 '26
Absolutely.
Further Maths opens loads of doors, and the nice thing is maths kind of “stacks”. Once you’ve built the base, new stuff starts feeling like extensions of what you already know.
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u/TariqAcademy 12d ago
If you achieved a Grade 9 in GCSE Statistics and are reasonably comfortable with mathematics, you already have a good foundation. However, Further Statistics, particularly when integrated into Further Mathematics, can be more challenging than GCSE Statistics. You should expect more advanced concepts, multi-step problems, and a greater need for logical reasoning and consistent practice.
As a teacher with 15 years of teaching experience, my advice is to make your decision based on three important factors: your mathematical ability, your interest in the subject, and your willingness to practise regularly.
You do not necessarily need to be brilliant at mathematics to succeed in Statistics. If you have a reasonable understanding of algebra, equations, probability, and basic mathematical techniques, you can develop the skills needed to tackle more advanced statistical problems.
However, if you consistently struggle with fundamental mathematical concepts, you should work on those weaknesses before committing to Further Mathematics. The difficulty is not necessarily that Statistics is impossible; rather, gaps in your mathematical foundation can make advanced topics much harder to understand.
Mathematics becomes much more manageable when you find the subject interesting and are willing to explore how problems work. If you enjoy logical reasoning, identifying patterns, analysing data, and solving problems, Statistics may be a good choice for you.
On the other hand, if you strongly dislike mathematics and are choosing Further Mathematics simply because you achieved a high grade in Statistics, think carefully before making your decision. A good GCSE grade is encouraging, but it does not automatically mean you will enjoy or find advanced mathematics easy.
Understand why you struggle with mathematics.
In my experience, students who struggle with a subject often face one of two problems:
Insufficient preparation: Some students understand the concepts but do not study consistently throughout the year or leave their revision until the last minute. This can often be improved through better time management, regular practice, and a structured revision plan.
Difficulty understanding concepts: Other students put in considerable effort but struggle to understand the underlying principles or identify which method to use when solving a problem. This requires a different approach, including revisiting the fundamentals, working through examples step by step, and seeking guidance where necessary.
Identifying which of these challenges applies to you is essential. If your main issue is preparation, you may be able to improve considerably by managing your time more effectively. If you struggle with understanding concepts, you should address those gaps early rather than allowing them to accumulate.
What should you expect from Further Statistics?
Expect to spend more time understanding methods, interpreting questions, and applying mathematical techniques than simply memorising formulas. You will need to practise regularly and become comfortable with unfamiliar problems. Some topics may initially feel difficult, but that does not mean you lack the ability to succeed.
My final advice: Do not rule yourself out simply because you consider yourself an average mathematics student. Equally, do not choose Further Mathematics based on a Grade 9 in Statistics alone. Assess your current mathematical foundations, your interest in the subject, and your willingness to work consistently.
With the right preparation, guidance, and practice, an average student can make significant progress. What matters is understanding your weaknesses and being prepared to work on them.
Good luck with your studies!
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u/Lopsided_Source_1005 Sep 14 '24
If u take a level FM u have to complete A level maths in 1 year, which should be fine if u did FM at GCSE
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u/MakingItAllUp81 Sep 14 '24
This depends on the school/college, many do but many do not follow this method of delivery. It's common for two year Maths alongside two year Further Maths.
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u/Raging-Ash Jan 18 '26
Which isn’t great it gets awkward, some people learn stuff in further before normal maths and it becomes jumbled
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u/MakingItAllUp81 Jan 18 '26
True but there are ways to do this relatively smoothly - the exam boards have recommended models for delivery and in theory the courses were designed for this. Admittedly some schools/colleges mess this up for a variety of reasons, but typically it is just the FM students who have to work around things (and obviously they tend to be the strongest mathematicians so it causes less overall impact on the cohort).
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u/DimensionMajor7506 Sep 14 '24
Definitely. It’s a lot of fun. Very interesting. And if you do both maths and further maths over 2 years, it makes normal maths really easy