WHY SHOULD I STUDY CORE MATHEMATICS? Core Mathematics is a relatively new Level 3 course designed by the Government for a good proportion of sixth-form students who do not include the study of Level Mathematics or A Level Statistics as one of their 3 (or 4) A Level choices. It is a further course option which would be taken in addition to A Levels in the first year. The national qualification is relatively applied and has been designed to prepare students for the mathematical demands of study, work, and life. It complements a range of numerous A Level courses (see below for detail) and it builds on work that you have studied at GCSE. The course is quite applied in nature and seeks to teach students new concepts and techniques for solving a variety of both theoretical and “real world” problems. The course supports the following relatively numerate A Level courses very well: • Accounting • Biology • Business • Chemistry • Computing • Economics • Electronics • Environmental Science • Geography • Geology • Product Design (Resistant Materials) • Psychology The course is also potentially very useful for those who are thinking that at age 18 they may wish to study several degree courses with mathematical, statistical or numerate elements including Politics, Sociology or management science degrees. However, the option of studying Core Mathematics is open to any A Level student who wishes to study the course and who has previously achieved a grade between several degree courses with mathematical, statistical or numerate elements including Politics, Sociology or management science degrees. However, the option of studying Core Mathematics is open to any A-level student who wishes to study the course and who has previously achieved a grade between 4 and 9 in GCSE Mathematics. CONTENT The course will be taught in two 70-minute lessons per week – from early September to late May in the first year with the public exams (two exam papers) in late May/June. All students will study all of the following topics: • Analysis of data - data, collecting and sampling data, and representing data numerically. • Personal finance – numerical calculations, percentages, interest rates, repayments and the cost of credit, graphical representation, taxation, and solutions to financial problems. • Estimation - the modeling cycle and Fermi estimation. • Critical analysis – presenting logical and reasoned arguments in context, communicating mathematical approaches and analytical criticism. These core topics form approximately two-thirds of the course - and the other third is one of the following two options that you must choose EITHER: Option A – Statistical Techniques The Normal Distribution, Probabilities and Estimation, Correlation and Regression. Option B – Critical Path and Risk Analysis, Critical path analysis, Expectation, and Cost-benefit analysis.
https://www.colchsfc.ac.uk/documents/uploads/files/1/2024-prospectus.pdf Students need to have previously achieved grades 4 - 9 in GCSE Mathematics (or C in IGCSE). If a student has grade 4 in GCSE Mathematics, it is recommended that they choose option B
The subject is assessed by two equally weighted exam papers taken at the end of the course, i.e each paper will be worth half of the final mark/grade.
About Education Provider
| Region | East of England |
| Local Authority | Essex |
| Ofsted Rating | Good |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| Address | North Hill, Colchester, CO1 1SN |
WHY SHOULD I STUDY CORE MATHEMATICS? Core Mathematics is a relatively new Level 3 course designed by the Government for a good proportion of sixth-form students who do not include the study of Level Mathematics or A Level Statistics as one of their 3 (or 4) A Level choices. It is a further course option which would be taken in addition to A Levels in the first year. The national qualification is relatively applied and has been designed to prepare students for the mathematical demands of study, work, and life. It complements a range of numerous A Level courses (see below for detail) and it builds on work that you have studied at GCSE. The course is quite applied in nature and seeks to teach students new concepts and techniques for solving a variety of both theoretical and “real world” problems. The course supports the following relatively numerate A Level courses very well: • Accounting • Biology • Business • Chemistry • Computing • Economics • Electronics • Environmental Science • Geography • Geology • Product Design (Resistant Materials) • Psychology The course is also potentially very useful for those who are thinking that at age 18 they may wish to study several degree courses with mathematical, statistical or numerate elements including Politics, Sociology or management science degrees. However, the option of studying Core Mathematics is open to any A Level student who wishes to study the course and who has previously achieved a grade between several degree courses with mathematical, statistical or numerate elements including Politics, Sociology or management science degrees. However, the option of studying Core Mathematics is open to any A-level student who wishes to study the course and who has previously achieved a grade between 4 and 9 in GCSE Mathematics. CONTENT The course will be taught in two 70-minute lessons per week – from early September to late May in the first year with the public exams (two exam papers) in late May/June. All students will study all of the following topics: • Analysis of data - data, collecting and sampling data, and representing data numerically. • Personal finance – numerical calculations, percentages, interest rates, repayments and the cost of credit, graphical representation, taxation, and solutions to financial problems. • Estimation - the modeling cycle and Fermi estimation. • Critical analysis – presenting logical and reasoned arguments in context, communicating mathematical approaches and analytical criticism. These core topics form approximately two-thirds of the course - and the other third is one of the following two options that you must choose EITHER: Option A – Statistical Techniques The Normal Distribution, Probabilities and Estimation, Correlation and Regression. Option B – Critical Path and Risk Analysis, Critical path analysis, Expectation, and Cost-benefit analysis.
https://www.colchsfc.ac.uk/documents/uploads/files/1/2024-prospectus.pdf Students need to have previously achieved grades 4 - 9 in GCSE Mathematics (or C in IGCSE). If a student has grade 4 in GCSE Mathematics, it is recommended that they choose option B
The subject is assessed by two equally weighted exam papers taken at the end of the course, i.e each paper will be worth half of the final mark/grade.