Level 3 Certificate Mathematical Studies Core Maths 1

Level 3 Certificate Mathematical Studies Core Maths 1 of x Version 3. 0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Qualification overview – What is Core Maths? • It is non compulsory subject that has been introduced by the Government to raise participation in post-16 maths • It is suitable for students with a grade 4 or above in GCSE – Approximately 250 000 eligible students per academic year • Half the size of an A-level – 180 Guided Learning Hours (2 lessons/ 1 double lesson per week) taught over 2 years • The qualification will receive UCAS points equivalent to AS level values - 60 = A – 50 = B – 40 = C – 30 = D – 20 = E 2 of x Version 3. 0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Qualification overview – What is the point of Core Maths? Core Maths should develop mathematical skills and thinking. Core Maths courses should prepare students for the varied contexts they are likely to encounter in vocational and academic study and in future employment and life. Core Maths qualifications should foster the ability to think mathematically and to apply mathematical techniques to a variety of unfamiliar situations, questions and issues with confidence. The main aim of Core Maths is to keep your Mathematical skills up to speed so that you can use them in your other subjects. It will also show you how various mathematical topics are used in the real world. Core Maths will encourage you to question headlines and help you to be able to solve more random problems that may appear. Core Maths will build on lots of topics that you have already met at GCSE. There will be a much bigger focus on linking these topics to the real world and other subjects. 3 of x Version 3. 0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

How is Core Maths assessed? All papers: • 2 papers taken at the end of Y 13 that are 90 minutes each. • 60 marks for each paper. • Calculators allowed for both papers • Formulae sheet for all papers 4 of x Version 3. 0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Assessment design two question papers of equal demand with clear language and layout so students can get to grips with the maths 1 hour 30 minutes per paper to suit students’ concentration levels mix of question types and progression throughout the papers to help students settle into the papers and maintain confidence through them focus on realistic contexts pre-release materials to help students enjoy and value the maths to help prepare students for examinations 5 of x Version 3. 0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Specification structure • All students must sit paper 1 (1350/1) • Students must sit one paper 2 from a choice of three options. We have chosen statistical techniques (1350/2 A) critical path and risk analysis (1350/2 B) graphical techniques (1350/2 C) Allows teachers to teach topics that best suits their expertise 6 of x Version 3. 0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. allows students to study topics they’re interested in that support their choices for further study

Subject content – Paper 1 Analysis of data Data Maths for personal finance Numerical calculations Collecting and sampling Percentages data Representing data numerically Interest rates Representing data diagrammatically Repayments and the cost of credit Graphical representation Taxation Solution to financial problems 7 of x Version 3. 0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. Estimation The modelling cycle Fermi estimation

Paper 2 – common content to all paper 2 s Critical analysis of given data and models (including spreadsheets and tabular data) Presenting logical and reasoned arguments in context Communicating mathematical approaches and solutions Analysing critically 8 of x Version 3. 0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Subject content – Paper 2 A Statistical Techniques The normal distribution Probabilities and estimation Correlation and regression Properties of the normal Population and sample distribution Correlation Notation size n The product moment correlation coefficient (pmcc) Confidence intervals Regression lines The mean of sample Calculating probabilities Calculations 9 of x Version 3. 0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Supporting other subjects • Core Maths has been designed to include mathematics that is relevant to other subjects including: Computer Science Psychology Sociology Biology Tech Levels Business Studies Physics BTEC’s Chemistry Economics Geography Statistics Extended Project • The statistics element of the course is very similar to the topics covered in the Maths A – level. 10 of x Version 3. 0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Finance This part of the specification includes: • simple and compound interest/ savings and investments • mortgages and loans including student loans • income tax, National Insurance and VAT • inflation, RPI, CPI • foreign currency and commission • budgeting/ bills etc This section of the course tends to be a favourite. Although, students can get very cross when they begin to calculate how much Tax and National insurance they will have to pay in the future. 11 of x Version 3. 0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Paper 1 - Fermi estimation Fermi questions, problems or estimations are the estimation of rough but quantitative answers to unexpected questions about the world. The method was the common and frequently amusing practice of Enrico Fermi, perhaps the most widely creative physicist of our times. Fermi delighted in thinking up and trying to answer questions which drew upon deep understanding of the world and everyday experience, and upon the ability to make rough approximations, inspired guesses, and statistical estimates from very little data. Fermi estimation is a topic you will not have met before but both y 12 and 13 students enjoy. An example of a Fermi estimation question might be… ‘How many people in the world are using their mobile phone at this moment? ’ If you have any more questions about Core Maths, please speak to Miss Wallhead 12 of x Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.