Core Maths
Why should you study Core Maths?
Core Maths is level 3 maths qualification following government’s technical guidance equal in size to an AS level qualification and are graded A-E. This one-year course has the same number of UCAS tariff points as an AS level qualification.
This course is aimed at helping you develop your quantitative problem-solving skills. It incorporates situations including calculating tax and national insurances, applying Fermi estimation, and analysing graphs. This course has proven to be valuable preparation with students who require analytical skills for many destinations within both Health and Life Sciences, and Engineering Industries.
Exam board: AQA
Course content
As listed on the exam board’s website, this qualification includes:
Compulsory
- Analysis of data
- Maths for personal finance
- Estimation
- Critical analysis of given data and models
Optional content
- The normal distribution
- Probabilities and estimation
- Correlation and regression
- Critical path and risk analysis
- Expectation
- Cost benefit analysis
- Graphical methods
- Rates of change
- Exponential functions
How is the course assessed?
Paper 1: 60 mark written examination linked to a copy of preliminary material available in advance through your Maths teacher and clean copy of preliminary material along with a formulae sheet to be provided in the examination room.
Paper 2C: Graphical Techniques 60 mark examination with formulae sheet available.
Are there any course requirements?
Core Maths is intended for students who have passed GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 or higher, but who have not chosen to study A level mathematics.
Equipment
Students require the following equipment – pen, pencil, ruler, compass, protractor and scientific calculator (recommend Casio FX83GT-CW)
Government’s technical guidance: Core maths qualifications: technical guidance – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Specification on exam board website: AQA | Mathematics | AQA Certificate | Level 3 Mathematical Studies