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CORE MATHS

QUALIFICATION:

Level 3

OVERVIEW:

Core Maths is a single year course that is run to allow any student in the Sixth Form access to a Maths qualification. The course is intended for those that achieve a grade 4 or better at GCSE but do not wish to study the Maths A level. There is a key focus on ‘Real Life’ Maths, so students will study mortgages, personal finance, calculating taxes and interest rates. The course also helps to develop your mathematical skills and thinking and supports courses such as A level Psychology, Sciences and Geography as well as technical and vocational qualifications.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Core Maths is intended for students who have passed GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 or better, but who have not chosen to study AS or A level Mathematics. It can be studied in a single year and can be taken alongside 3 A levels or other qualifications, including vocational courses.

EQUIPMENT:

A scientific calculator, ideally a Casio Classwiz FX-991

SKILLS:

You will need to have a good understanding of the GCSE course content. With the qualification being run across a single year, you must also have good independent studying skills and be able to stick to deadlines for homework. You should also have good analytical skills and must be comfortable working from graphs and working with percentages

ASSESSMENT:

Core Maths is assessed with 2 exams at the end of the course.

Paper 1 covers the following topics:

  1. Analysis of data
  2. Maths for personal finance
  3. Estimation

Paper 2 covers the following topics:

  1. Critical analysis of given data and models
  2. Critical path and risk anlaysis
  3. Probabilities and expectation
  4. Cost benefit analysis

Each paper is 1hr30 and has 60 marks available. Calculators are allowed for both exams and throughout the teaching of the course

FUTURE PROSPECTS:

Studying Core Maths helps develop your quantitative and problem-solving skills. This is valuable preparation for the quantitative skills you will need for many degree courses, particularly subjects such as psychology, business-related courses, sports and social sciences, and natural science courses that do not require AS/A Mathematics.

WHAT DO OUR STUDENTS SAY:

“I have found Core Maths really useful in improving my knowledge of real-life Maths. I also find that it helps my application of Maths and Statistics in other subjects I am studying. It is also great that is a one year course so I can get a qualification and some UCAS points in the bag before I move into Year 13”  Year 13 Student