The Gap Between An 'a' Pass At Gcse Level Maths And Studying An 'a' Level In The Same Subject.

[sandyRoe]

I'm thinking of trying this as a Winter pass time. Is it overambitious?

[bednobs]

IMO, a levels are hard (i think they are evn harder than my degree was)
However, i didn't do maths!

[Buenchico]

In a word: Massive!

In a few more words: Massive but not insurmountable if you're really keen.

I used to teach maths (to both GCSE and A-level) and I always warned my able Year 11 students that, however easy they might have found the subject at GCSE level, they should definitely expect to struggle at times at A-level. I also repeated that warning at the start of the A-level course. As I predicted, even the most able students (who went on to achieve grade A at A-level and even first-class honours studying maths at university) suddenly got a shock when they first encountered some of the A-level material.

I'm sure though that, if you're keen enough, you could reach a good A-level standard, Sandy, but don't expect it to be easy!

Remember that there are several maths teachers (either past or present) among the regular contributors here on AB, so there should always be some help available when you need it.

[sandyRoe]

Thank you both. It's been quite a while since I did the GCSE. Maybe I'd better see if I can dig out the old text books, which are about somewhere as I never throw anything out, and do a bit of revision before moving to the premier league.

[jennyjoan]

You can do it Sandy - go for it and if you don't succeed - no big deal at least God loves a trier.

[janbee]

Go for it Sandy. You can do it lad !

[buildersmate]

Agree with Chris, there is a massive uplift between the two.
Unless one is mathematically inclined or really committed, it is a sizable gap to fill. Son achieved A at GSCE, with some help from me, then wanted to do A level, as saw it an easy option to counter the undoubtedly large volume of work involved in his other two Arts-based A level choices. He found the uplift very difficult, and achieved a U at A level.

[kuulteach]

I take it you're not a a great hurry. Get a GCSE higher text book. That covers grades a* to b which you should be able to handle start at the beginning of book whizzing your way through most bits of chapters. You may have problems with trig or circle theorems .. so you take your time on these bits. You can download exam papers to test yourself . When your ready start the a level bits. Core 1 is a* level with some extensions toward a level .... as previous answered said there are loads of us geeks to back you up ... good luck and enjoy