A-level Use of Mathematics

Accreditation Extended

A-level Mathematics, A-level Statistics, AS Use of Mathematics, A-level Use of Mathematics (pilot) and Advanced FSMQs are now accredited to 2014.

The pilot GCE Use of Mathematics is distinct from GCE Mathematics and is designed to encourage more students to continue their mathematics studies post-16. It will support students who are studying other subjects where mathematics is useful, such as Business Studies, Geography, Biology and Psychology amongst others
Further details are available. Please contact us if you would like your centre to be involved.

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Update: September 2010

379 candidates entered the full A-level Use of Mathematics. 1475 candidates entered the pilot AS Use of Mathematics.
Meetings for pilot centres will be held in September to review the 2010 examinations and look to the future and the post-pilot qualifications.
We now have room for more centres on the pilot. Interested centres should contact us as soon as possible.

Update: September 2009

32 candidates from 4 centres entered the full A-level Use of Mathematics (in one year). 832 candidates from 26 centres certificated the pilot AS Use of Mathematics.
GCE Use of Mathematics and FSMQ: meetings were held in June 2009 to review the summer 2009 examinations and provide news on developments for pilot centres.
The first full A-levels in Use of Mathematics were awarded in Summer 2009.
Teacher Standardisation meetings were held for the Mathematical Applications unit (USE2).
A Teachers' Guide has been issued to pilot centres to assist them in their teaching.
The current accreditation end date and certification for this pilot is 2013.
QCDA completed a public consultation in July 2009 on the draft criteria for GCE Use of Mathematics, which will significantly affect the future development of this qualification.
GCE Use of Mathematics received public support from the Heads of Departments of Mathematical Sciences (HoDoMS) and from the CBI.

2008 activities

A revised AS and a full A-level Use of Mathematics have been accredited for piloting from September 2008
The pilot AS Use of Mathematics consists of three units: an Algebra unit together with two Advanced FSMQ units from a choice of five
A-level Use of Mathematics builds upon the AS qualification with an A2-standard FSMQ in Calculus, a portfolio unit based on two of the units already studied and a synoptic unit, testing knowledge and understanding of Algebra and Calculus.

2007 activities

Further Advanced (level 3) FSMQs were either written or revised. At this level the pilot FSMQs will be assessed by written paper only, although pre-release data sheets will continue to be used
One of the units at A2 level consists of a Portfolio based on two of the units taken in the rest of the qualification
The proposed structure of this new qualification was submitted to QCA in January, before submission of the specification for accreditation.

Maths Pathways contacts

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