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Mathematics Level 2 Options

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Entry Requirements

You will require a Grade D at GCSE Mathematics to study a Level 2 course in Mathematics. After an initial assessment test, taken in the first week of the course, you will be enrolled on either GCSE or FSMQ Level 2.

About the Subject

GCSE Course

GCSE students will aim for a November sitting and, if successful in the January results, will complete the course then. Otherwise, studies will continue and a further sitting in June will be taken.

Assessment Unit Name Type of
Assessment		 Date of Exam Weighting
November re-sit AQA Linear papers Written exams November Paper 1 : 50%
Paper 2 : 50%
Standard GCSE course
Module 1 Handling Data Written Exam
(1½ hours)		 Early March 18%
Module 2 Number Written Exam
(1½ hours)		 Early March 27%
Module 3 Core 2 Written Exams
(11/4 hours each)		 June 55%

FSMQ Level 2

FSMQ stands for Free Standing Mathematics Qualification. We cover 2 such qualifications in the year – Handling and Interpreting Data and Calculating Finances. They are not modules – they are two independent qualifications.

Assessment Unit Name Type of
Assessment		 Date of Exam Weighting
Handling and
Interpreting
Data		 Handling and Interpreting
Data		 Written Exam (1
hour) and 6
portfolio
assessments
(each approx 1
hour)		 January 100%
Calculating
Finances		 Calculating Finances Written Exam (1
hour) and 6
portfolio
assessments
(each approx 1
hour)		 May 100%

General Information

GCSE

Module 1 – Handling Data

This module (worth 18%) looks at data and includes topics such as averages (can a union leader and a manager both be right when quoting differing average pay packets?), probability (how like are you to contract ‘bird flu’?) and correlation (is it true that ‘the less cholesterol, the longer the life’?).

Module 3 – Number & Algebra

This module (worth 27%) deals with what most employers are keen on – percentages, fractions and decimals! We also spend time on prime numbers, essential to internet security, and some algebra.

Module 5 - Core

This module (worth 55%) contains the major topics of GCSE such as algebra, graphs, area, volume, transformations and Pythagoras.

FSMQ Level 2

Handling & Interpreting Data

This FSMQ comprises an exam (worth 50%) and a series of 6 portfolio tasks (totalling 50%). The specification is designed to encourage students to ‘apply mathematical principles in their studies, work or interests’. You will study topics such as averages, probability, histograms and correlation. You will be expected to show workings by hand and also on a spreadsheet.

Calculating Finances

This FSMQ shares the aims and structure of Handling and Interpreting Data (see above) but with more emphasis on every day financial applications such as salary, loans, insurance, savings and accounting.

What Next?

Mathematics qualifications improve your chances of employment considerably – most jobs include some degree of measurement, money handling and mental arithmetic and a large number of jobs will require some use of areas such as percentages. Whatever job you go for, a maths qualification very clearly demonstrates that you are willing to face a difficult challenge and stick with it. It shows employers and universities that you have powers of analysis, reasoning and problem solving that other candidates may not be able to offer. Going to the shops, playing tennis, darts, DIY, renting/buying a house,
sorting a bank account, tax, income and nearly anything else you can think of involves numbers.