How difficult is A Level Maths?

Question

I want to do A Level Maths as it is useful for a lot of courses at university. However I am in a middle sort of maths set and having looked at some A Level topics they seem ridiculously hard compared to GCSE. Our school does the IGCSE (Edexcel), but even that is a long way off A Level. Also my teacher said that it is a very hard course especially at A2 as we would be required to do Pure Maths Modules and then Mechanics and Statistics. I would be grateful if someone who has previous experience of the course could tell me about the difficulty. I have got an A in my last few practices and hope to get an A* at IGCSE but our teacher says even people who got A*'s have struggled with Maths A Level.
I hope to do Economics as well so hopefully these will complement each other.
My possible choices are:
Maths, Economics, History,Biology
Economics, History, English Lit, Biology
I am also considering Politics and Chemistry in between these.

Answer 1

Physics, Maths and Chemistry are classed as the three hardest A-Levels (and have been for many years) Based on the number who take it compared to the number who go on to attain the top grade(s)



I did do Physics A-level (way back in 1996) I found the mechanics very difficult and I would think it would be the same in Maths.



I think the best thing to do would be to look at what you want to do at University and build your A-levels round that. In your first selection the first three do fit together well but Biology doesn't really fit with them.



Politics would fit with Economics and Chemistry with Maths.

Answer 2

Your teacher knows your ability and knows what the course is, so I would listen and consider that opinion seriously. My husband was a whizz at maths O level but found university maths a great challenge. It depends totally on what your maths ability is - what one person finds easy another finds difficult, so asking other people isn't really going to help you. If you want to do pure physics at uni then you will need maths. So do consider what you want to do at uni before you finally decide, and discuss it seriously with your teacher again nearer the summer when you see how your course this year is shaping up. If you choose a course that needs A level maths all the time and you turn out to find it very difficult you will have a constant struggle - and remember that the job you go on to afterwards will possibly also need it. Try to plan for a career that will be a joy to you, not a constant struggle and strain.

Answer 3

It is really difficult, but that's not to say you can't do it. The topics covered are alot harder than GCSE and the course moves at a faster pace, so you have less time to learn/practice/understand each topic. But as you said Maths is a really good subject to have for any course at university. I think you should definately go for it if that's what you want to do, you just need to be prepared to do extra revision etc if you find yourself struggling :)

Answer 4

I have HEARD that A-Level Maths is very hard and that you've got to be VERY good at it to handle the course. You should go with your instinct.



As for Politics, a good choice. I am studying it for A-Levels right now and I assure you, it is one of the most informative and useful subjects you can undertake.

Answer 5

i did igcse maths as well and im now taking maths AS so far i have found it fine, theres just a lot more stuff to learn, as long as you work hard you should be fine