The Dilemma of Further Mathematics

Most of you in A'levels must have heard the word "double credit subject" at least once during this period of two years. And this is what Further Mathematics is; an elite subject that schools only allow their top most students to attempt, hence, the high grade thresholds every year despite the difficulties.

Now, what's so special about this subject that makes it so exquisite and valuable? It only has 2 papers as opposed to 4 or 5 for most subjects in the CIE syllabus so shouldn't it be a bit more easy? Why is it that only the students with prior knowledge in Additional Mathematics are allowed to study this subject? And most importantly, why is this subject among the elite "double credit" club? I'll be answering most of this questions in the detail below but you are welcome to shut off your browser if you get bored. But let me tell you, only the persistent get through this subject unscorched. So consider this as your first test if you are willing to opt for this subject.

Further Mathematics will be your first introduction to discrete mathematics and the world of logic, something that still intrigues me despite having changed my field of education.

Basic Information about the Subject

• Further Maths is an exam, comprising of two components, that you are allowed to appear only as part of your A2 so there is no AS level for this subject.
• Each paper is of 100 marks and consists of 10 compulsory questions along with an extra optional question just like it was in Additional Mathematics exam.
• First papers is Pure Mathematics and with chapters like differential equations, vectors, matrices and other stuff.
• P2 is divided into two sections. Further Mechanics make up the first 5 questions, and the next 5 are constituted by Further Statistics. The last question is an option between either Mechanics or Statistics.
• For further details review the syllabus of your respective examination board.

My Own Experience

I gave my A'levels exams in June 2012 and one of my A*s was in Further Mathematics. What prompted me to opt for this subject, despite committing my future to medicine, was my world distinction in O'levels Additional Mathematics. For me, FM was probably the only subject in A'levels that actually made me work for the A*. It took a lot of my time. Since there was no specific book and resources available, I had to mainly rely on my teacher's notes or look for videos on the internet. But despite all this, I was able to do well in the end. All it required was time and hard work. Though, I'll advice all of you to keep this subject only if you love Mathematics and already have a proven repertoire in the subject with good grades previously.

Throughout the two years of A'levels, I kept in touch with what was being taught in class for this subject. I practised regularly and made sure that my concepts were cleared as soon as they were taught. Past papers and my teacher's work sheets were my only source of practice questions. At times, I visited the Khan Academy website to clear some concepts, or found a guide, specific to a single chapter, online. So basically, there was never one resource for it. And it'll be my advice to all of you, to never stop researching until your concepts are completely cleared.

In the end before the exam, I completed all the available past papers, 2002-2011, and that gave me a pretty good preparation. All you need is practice.

FAQs

Do we need a graphical calculator?
Not if your concepts are clear. I didn't own one and was able to do pretty well.

Books required for the syllabus?
No book covers the whole syllabus so all these are just reference books except for the statistics one which pretty much covered everything:

Further Pure Mathematics by L Bostock
Further Mechanics & Probability by L Bostock
Advanced Level Statistics, the black book with a picture of dices