Summary of changes
This guide outlines the main changes to our AS and A-level Maths qualifications, for first teaching from September 2017.
Overview of changes
The main changes to our new AS and A-levels in Maths are:
- the qualifications will now be linear, meaning that all the exams are sat in the same series
- AS Maths will no longer count towards A-level Maths – they can be co-taught but they are assessed separately
- the applied content (statistics and mechanics) is all now compulsory. The applied content contains a sample of topics from the legacy MM1B, MM2B MS1B and MS2B topics, along with some additional material for statistics
- there will be no optional content; all students sit the same exams covering the same content
- there is no longer any decision maths content in AS or A-level Maths.
Subject content
The AS and A-level Maths subject content is 100% defined by the Department for Education (DfE).
The content is the same for all exam boards offering Maths AS and A-levels for exams in June 2018 and onwards.
Below is a broad summary of how the new content differs from that of the legacy specification. Please see the AS and A-level specifications for full details.
Changes to pure maths content
What’s new | What’s gone | What’s moved from A-level to AS | What’s moved from AS to A-level |
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Use of exponential and logarithmic models using base e. |
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Changes to applied content
Mechanics
What’s new | What’s gone | What’s moved from A-level to AS | What’s moved from AS to A-level |
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Derivation of formulae for constant acceleration for motion in a straight line (AS and A-level). |
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Statistics
What's new | What's gone | What’s moved from A-level to AS | What’s moved from AS to A-level |
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Application of the language of statistical hypothesis testing. |
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