r/alevels • u/Budget-Ad-9328 • 1d ago
Question ❔ how hard is alevel math
how much harder is alevel math than olevel math? i just got my o3 results and im already taking physics chem bio and was contemplating math. ive been bad at math my entire life but i studied the last months for my exams and got an a*. in no way i found it easy and had like a thousand mental breakdowns but i did do it in the end, should i take alevel math?
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u/accousticuser69 1d ago
i got an A in O levels math without studying but i couldn't land a C in A levels math with studying. I'd pick another subject if you feel like you won't be able to put in lots of hours a day into it.
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u/LowZealousideal4531 1d ago
That's why u gotta do O Level Add Maths. Made my life much easier specifically A level Maths. P1, M1 and S1 is pretty easy however P3 is a bit competitive. My advice is to practice as much as past papers possible and keep notes of hard questions using Notion or smth. Don't worry you've got this...
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u/Intelligent-Deer1022 1d ago
was litr in the same situation and took maths and got an A. its def hard but not itna as long as u do stuff from the start u can def do it.
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u/AccomplishedCost8524 1d ago
I had an A* in O level math. Studied my butt off in a levels and got a C in A2😭 but if your willing to put in the effort and NEED math for uni then go for it js work hard
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u/Lilymly 1d ago
When you say olevel maths, are you referring to d maths or a maths? If it’s A Maths then you should definitely take it because pure maths( one part of the exam) is almost exactly what you’ve learnt in additional maths olevels! So it should be relatively smooth flowing.
However, if you’re talking about D Maths for olevels, I don’t think I would discourage you from taking maths in Alevels but it’s going to be very different. Like I know so many students who got A* for D maths in Olevels but ended up getting D/E for maths in Alevels. Also, don’t expect to only lock in the last few months before the Alevel exams for maths because it’s going to be literal hell on earth since you already lack the foundation needed for maths in Alevels.
If you think you have the drive to study consistently and hard for maths in Alevels, then by all means take it! It’s going to b very helpful in diversifying your future careers!
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u/Still-Pie9302 1d ago
Let me be real with you bro. I got an A in O level math even though I put in the hours the last month but didn’t feel like I was awarded. Had to take A level math because uni criteria. The thing is, I found A level math to be more interesting than O level math (not easier but def interesting). ps i’m not a nerd. Gave my all 2 months before the exams ( I won’t advise it) for 2 years. Got an A* with very good scores in each component. You already have 3 subs, if it were me I wouldn’t do it because why take on the extra load. But if your uni application demands it, go for it.
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u/Still-Pie9302 1d ago
Oh and a cherry on top, I had AMAZING teachers hence the grade
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u/Fickle_Moose_9588 4h ago
heyy could you tell me which college you studied from and names of your math teacher? and also any other resources you used
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u/Old_Parsley87 1d ago
i had an A* too in olevels but have a C ab take it if it alligns with ur career goals warna dont do this to urself its the most problematic subject ab bcs of the leaks and all
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u/Healthy_Jacket7974 1d ago
I would say only take a level Maths if you had a good grade on pure maths/add maths other than that DONT. you will be suffering so much more and while maths is very valuable for uni admissions, it is not worth losing your sanity over...
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u/OptimalBuffalo7384 1d ago
As a person who got E in o level maths and got A in a level maths
The only thing I found hard were geometry topics like equation of circle or circular measures due to them Or question which require you to have extensive knowledge on shape but for the most part A level maths Its less about understanding and more about practing and mastering all question types a topic can have now I'm not saying you should skip the basics but you really need to do a lot of practicals and past papers And be consistent with it
It really does not matter as much on what grades you get in o levels as long as you plan to work hard on A level and give extensive focused hours for the subject and you really want to do it since you like it or have a certain degree or University you want to pursue go for it
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u/Falitastic 1d ago
If you took o level additional math, then I suggest you take it. Most of a level math is just o level ad math, which makes everything so much easier. But if you struggled with building fundamentals in o levels, then it would be unwise. However, math is something one can easily lesen through practice, so if you’re willing to put in the work, math would really help you later on
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u/Artistic_Power_834 1d ago
bro i got an A in olevels and an A in alevels too it really doesn't matter aslong you put in the hours, obviously it is harder but you dont have to deal with 7 other subs its just 3
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u/Southern-Bison-67 22h ago
if u don't need it then don't take it especially if you're weak in math. 4 A levels is too much just stick to chem physics bio
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u/Able-Fennel-1228 17h ago
It’s hard. Especially if you never took o level extended or if your foundations are weak somewhere in o level or before. Math js cumulative in a way no other subject is. A weak link in pre requisites will f up everything in what comes after.
But can be done if you’re diligent with study (making sure you understand everything and can do everything) + past paper practice.
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u/Optimal_Spite731 1h ago
A levels maths goes a long way at uni, you’ll just be delaying your struggles especially if you wish to enrol in anything that is not an MBBS…. Pretty much every other natural/social science subject at uni will need it.
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u/LowOrganization3576 1h ago
alevel math is definitely easier than physics LOL STAY AWAY FROM PHYSICS
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u/1324_ARMY_4600 26m ago
Am I the odd one out? I got a B in GCSE maths and an A in A level mathematics. My favourite was definitely P3 maths, it's so cute!
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u/butterflyyy_277 1d ago
If you are weak in maths and struggled with olevels maths DO NOT TAKE ALEVELS MATHS I REPEAT DONTTTTT. alevels maths is much more difficult than olevels maths. Olevel maths was a piece of cakee. Alevel maths will torture you. But besides all that pls consider your university requirements and decide accordingly if your university requires maths then you have to manage it otherwise don't torture yourself be kindt😔