Core Maths

Information

ln Year 12 and 13 students who do not take A Level Maths and/or Further Maths in CAST Sixth Form will be enrolled in Core Maths.

This Level 3 Certificate in Mathematical Studies qualification will consolidate students' mathematical understanding as well as building their confidence and competence in applying mathematical techniques to solve a range of problems. In addition, it introduces them to new techniques and concepts which will prepare them for further study and future employment within a broad range of academic, professional, and technical fields.

Many sixth-form courses include mathematical content. Assessment of mathematical skills is included in a third of all non-maths A levels, including all science subjects. Similarly, T-levels have considerable maths content. Studying maths alongside other subjects will help students to achieve better results. Furthermore, Core Maths aims to prepare students for the mathematical demands of higher education and work where there is a distinct mathematical or statistical element, but where the mathematical demands do not stretch to a requirement for A-level Mathematics.

Course Content

Core Maths develops the mathematical skills students gained at GCSE. It focuses on using and applying maths to solve problems drawn from other subjects, work, and real life. The Core Maths course includes new content such as statistics, financial maths and using algebra.

Analysis of data
Maths for personal finance
Estimation
Critical analysis of given data and models
The normal distribution
Probabilities and estimation
Correlation and regression

Scheme of learning

Year 12

Year 12

Paper 1 content is taught in Year 12:

Analysis of data

Data
Collecting and sampling data
Representing data numerically
Representing data diagrammatically

Maths for personal finance

Numerical calculations
Percentages
Interest rates
Repayments and the cost of credit
Graphical representation
Taxation
Solution to financial problems

Estimation

The modelling cycle
Fermi estimation

Year 13

Year 13

Paper 2 content is taught in Year 13. Students can choose between option A or B depending on their needs and which material is most appropriate for their future studies and careers.

Critical analysis data and models

Presenting logical and reasoned arguments in context
Communicating mathematical approaches and solutions
Analysing critically

Option A: Statistical Techniques

The normal distribution

Properties of the normal distribution
Notation
Calculating probabilities

Probabilities and estimation

Population and sample
The mean of sample size n
Confidence intervals

Correlation and regression

Correlation
The product moment correlation coefficient
Regression lines
Calculations

Option B: Critical Path and Risk Analysis

Critical path analysis

Compound projects
Critical activities
Gantt charts

Expectation

Probability
Diagrammatic representations
Combined events
Expected value

Cost benefit analysis

Living with uncertainty
Control measures
Risk analysis

Assessment

The course consists of material that is assessed in two 90 minute examination papers at the end of Year 13.

Sixth Form