How difficult is Maths AS?

[Kit]

For various reasons DD has to make a final choice this week between Maths AS (she wouldn't be doing the A2) and another subject.
She is not a natural mathematician and just managed an A* (low UMS) at GCSE. Is it possible for someone like DD to get very high marks with hard work or do they need to have that extra flair in Maths to get the highest grades/ UMS however hard they work at it?

[KB]

If she got an A* at GCSE there is no reason why she won't get a good mark for AS.
There is a bit of a jump as there is in most subjects but you don't need to be a gifted mathematician to do well at AS level.
Generally its a good subject to have alongside most other A levels.

[Amber]

I have PMed you.

I would say the key is in your phrase 'with hard work' and I think someone who isn't a natural mathematician but can get an A* at GCSE can almost certainly do very well at AS and even A2 with hard work.

[Guest55]

Does she like algebra? Feeling comfortable with algebra is important - an A* does not guarantee success in any A level. What does her teacher think?

Doing past papers is important and there are lots to practise. Maths is still modular so that means lots of resources and websites.

[Catseye]

I think an A* at gcse should get at least a B at AS,not bad for a non-mathematician?

[Guest55]

Catseye - it doesn't follow like that ...

[Catseye]

Catseye - it doesn't follow like that ...

I'm not in a position to argue with g55 so with hindsight I would give g55 opinion much greater weight.

One thing I would say in answering the question 'How difficult is Maths AS?' is that, C1 and C2 are relatively simple in terms of the transition from gcse to AS maths, it's the other modules like D1,S1 and particularly M1 that are trickier because they are less familiar concepts for most gcse students.

[Kit]

Thanks for your views. DD does like algebra so that may be a good sign.

Which is generally seen as the easiest optional AS module?

[KB]

Generally the school will make the decision about the modules - not least because of staffing and timetabling.

Different pupils may find different modules easier or harder.

At DCs school decision maths was seen as the 'easiest' option and was often taken as an extra in case a pupil 'messed up' one of the others.

Generally, Mechanics and Statistics are seen as more useful modules.

[Amber]

Which is generally seen as the easiest optional AS module?

From DD: you have to do C1 and C2. C1 is easier than C2. She gathers that the stats modules are far easier than the mechanics ones and she says that if you work hard S1 is easy to do well Generally,

Mechanics and Statistics are seen as more useful modules.

than what? And useful for what? The core ones (C) are compulsory and you then have a choice between Mech and Stat. Even if you opted to do one of each only one would be done at AS level.