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Mathematics : Higher GCSE
GCSE Maths Higher is for students who are targeting a grade 5 or higher. The entry requirement is a Grade 4 in Maths, but students are also accepted onto the course if they are entering UK mainstream education from either home educated backgrounds, foreign schools or Steiner schools, if appropriate. The main reasons that students take this course are either to meet university entry requirements, to supplement BTEC qualifications, or to enable progression onto A-Level courses requiring GCSE Maths at grade 5 or above.
What will I study in Mathematics : Higher GCSE?
You will study all the topics included in Foundation Maths, but with lots more algebra! As with Foundation, the higher syllabus is broadly split into the following sections: number, algebra, geometry, statistics & probability. The key difference is that the algebra section is significantly more complicated than at Foundation level.
Whist familiar skills such as fractions, ratio and percentages are still present, we consolidate and extend topics at the upper end of the Foundation syllabus such as trigonometry, standard form, quadratic & simultaneous equations, and graphs. These algebraic topics will also feature heavily in T level Engineering and Construction courses, so they will be highly relevant to you if you're also studying these particular T levels.
Entry Requirements
Grade 4 in GCSE Maths
How will I learn?
When learning Maths, you need to do lots of practice questions to help embed the techniques and concepts.
The teachers of GCSE Maths Higher are the same teachers who support some Foundation students through to the November exam. As such, lessons for the Higher course start in the first week of November rather than the usual September start. From November you will have 4.5 hours of Higher maths per week, through to the exams in May/June.
To help us all hit the ground running when we meet in November, we will be setting weekly assignments throughout October which will help you warm up. In these assignments we will set practice questions on some Foundation topics such as percentages, ratio, linear equations and basic statistics. We will provide you with links to video tutorials so you can get help on these topics as needed. This process will help ensure that when we meet in early November we can immediately start work on the topics specific to Higher maths.
How will I be assessed?
There will be 3 exams at the end of the year.
One non-calculator paper and two calculator papers.
Are there any costs involved?
You are expected to have a geometry set (ruler, protractor, compasses) as well as a pen, pencil and eraser.
You are also expected to have a scientific calculator. As a minimum, you should have a Casio FX 83 GTX or FX 85 GTX. If you would like a calculator which has some additional functions which will help you with quadratic and simultaneous equations, we recommend getting a Casio FX 991 EX ("Classwiz").
FAQs
Can I study this course if I already have a grade 5?
Yes. You can study this course so long as you have at least a grade 4 in Maths already, and hope to improve your grade. You may be aiming to improve a 4 to a 5, a 5 to a 6, or a 6 to a 7. You may even be aiming to improve a 5 to a 7 (although this is a big jump to make in such a short timeframe).
Which calculator do I need?
As a minimum, you should have a Casio FX 83 GTX or FX 85 GTX.
If you would like a calculator which has some additional functions which will help you with quadratic and simultaneous equations, we recommend getting a Casio FX 991 EX ("Classwiz").
How many lessons are there per week?
There are three 90 minute lessons per week of GCSE Maths Higher.
When do I sit the exams?
This is a one year course, so you sit the 3 papers (one non-calculator and two calculator papers) in May/June of your first year on the course.
Awarding Body
EDEXCEL
What can I do after I have taken this course?
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