Thinking about taking maths for A Level? Way to go! But there’s one question that could make or break your decision: is A Level Maths hard?
A Level Maths is a big step up from GCSE. But with the right work ethic and support, there’s no reason why you can’t ace it! Here’s all you need to know.
Psst! Finding an A Level Maths tutor is a great way to make sure you can keep up with the demands of A Level studies and reach your full potential in the exams.
Is Maths A Level hard?
Yes, Maths A Level is generally seen as a challenging subject and is a big jump up from GCSE.
However, it also tends to be the subject where students get the highest grades!
In 2024, a whopping 42% of students taking their Maths A Level got a grade A or A* (according to Schools Week).
This is probably in part because students taking A Level Maths have a certain aptitude for the subject – unlike GCSE Maths, which everyone has to take.
But it also shows that there’s potential to do really well, with the right support and a lot of hard work.
How hard is A Level Maths?
Every learner is different, so it’s impossible to say for sure how hard you would find A Level Maths.
Rather, it’ll all depend on your aptitude for the subject, your work ethic and how you’re taught!
That said, A Level is a big step up from GCSE, with a wide range of topics to master and lots of abstract concepts to wrap your head around.
Each exam board will structure things slightly differently, but you’ll typically cover these topics:
- Proof
- Algebra and functions
- Coordinate geometry
- Sequences and series
- Trigonometry
- Exponentials and logarithms
- Differentiation
- Integration
- Numerical methods
- Vectors
- Statistical sampling
- Data presentation and interpretation
- Probability
- Statistical distributions
- Statistical hypothesis testing
- Quantities and units in mechanics
- Kinematics
- Forces and Newton’s Laws
- Moments
Your first year of studies won’t be vastly harder than GCSE in terms of difficulty level.
However, the difficulty will increase as you work through the course, and by the time you get into your second year, your mathematical abilities will definitely be stretched.
With that in mind, it’s important that you have a strong foundation in maths to build from, as well as good analytical skills and logical thinking.
That doesn’t mean you need to have reached the highest grades in your Maths GCSE. But you’ll be in a better position if you have at least a grade 6.
You’ll also need to be able to work independently – it takes practice to successfully tackle challenging problems, and you’ll generally need to commit to several hours of homework and independent study each week, on top of your lessons.
Getting the help of a private Maths tutor can be a great way to make sure you have a solid understanding of all the topics covered in class, so you don’t get left behind.
Examples of hard A Level Maths questions
Regardless of which exam board you’re with, you won’t usually have any coursework to do for your Maths A Level.
Rather, you’ll have three papers to sit at the end of the year. These will cover questions ranging from pure maths to statistics and mechanics.
Unlike GCSE Maths exams, A Level questions won’t normally spell out what abilities you should use to solve the question – which can be an added challenge.
Instead, you’ll need to be able to decipher which skill to use, before using your mathematical skills to come to the right answer.
Here are some examples of A Level Maths hard questions from past papers.
1. Example from AQA paper 1 June 2023
2. Example from AQA paper 2 June 2023
3. Example from AQA paper 3 June 2023
Is Maths A Level worth it?
Yes! A Level Maths comes with a ton of benefits.
Not only will it help you to develop valuable, transferable skills, but it’s also a sought-after qualification that will stand you in good stead in your future studies and career.
Here are just a few things to consider if you’re wondering whether A Level Maths is worth it.
Develop valuable skills
Taking A Level Maths will allow you to develop valuable skills like analytical skills, critical thinking, problem-solving and logical reasoning.
These skills can be massively helpful in your further studies and career. But you’ll also lean on them a lot in your everyday life – from budgeting to analysing data trends and even getting your head around mortgage rates!
Impress universities
Maths is a facilitating subject, which means it’s highly regarded by universities and could open up doors to a range of degree options.
It’ll be particularly useful if you’re planning on studying a related subject – such as engineering, computer science, physics or, of course, a maths degree! But even if you don’t want to pursue a maths-related subject, it’s a qualification that could help you stand out and add another dimension to your CV.
Complement other subject choices
Maths A Level is a versatile course that goes with lots of different subjects – making it well-suited to students with all sorts of ambitions.
For instance, it pairs nicely with the sciences. But even students who want to pursue subjects like English or languages could find maths an appealing option. After all, pairing these A Levels with a subject that relies on strong analytical and problem-solving skills will show that you’re a well-rounded individual with diverse talents.
Open doors in your future career
This course can help you to excel in all sorts of different fields, ranging from STEM to finance; engineering to architecture and even risk management.
Having a strong mathematical background is particularly helpful in today’s era of digital transformation – careers in artificial intelligence, cryptography and software engineering are growing in importance and all rely on mathematical concepts!
Enjoy your studies
Last but not least, don’t forget to think about what you enjoy!
If you like playing with numbers, wrapping your head around abstract concepts and working your way logically through problem-solving situations, A Level Maths is likely to be right up your street.
Find a tutor to bring A Level Maths to life
As you can see, A Level Maths can be challenging. But it’s definitely a challenge that’s worth taking!
To give yourself the best chance of passing with flying colours, why not find a maths tutor to support you every step of the way?
An A Level Maths tutor will give you one-on-one attention you won’t get at college, to help you hone your skills and wrap your head around any concepts you’re struggling to get the hang of.
From week-by-week plans to practice exams, they’ll tailor their teaching to suit your strengths, weaknesses and learning style, and help you reach your full potential.
FAQs
Is A Level Maths much harder than GCSE?
Yes, A Level Maths is a big step up from GCSE – you’ll have a broader range of topics to get your head around, and will go into more depth.
What percentage of people fail A Level Maths?
In 2024, only 3.9% of people failed A Level Maths, meaning they failed to get at least an E grade.
Is A Level Maths harder than a degree?
No, university degrees are generally more challenging than A Levels, as they require more in-depth study and independent learning.
That said, whether you find A Level Maths harder than a degree will depend on lots of different factors, like which degree program you choose, your aptitude for the subject and your learning style.
What is the hardest subject in A Level Maths?
The hardest subject in A Level Maths won’t be the same for everyone. But students often find Integration and Vectors the most challenging.
Should I do A Level Maths if I got a 7?
Yes, if you got a grade 7 in your Maths GCSE, you should be fine taking A Level Maths.
Most colleges and sixth forms will require a grade 6 or 7 for you to take the subject at A Level.
Is getting an A in A level Maths hard?
That depends on how you look at things. A Level Maths is certainly a challenging subject, but it’s also the subject that tends to receive the highest proportion of top grades.
In 2024, 42% of students taking Maths A Level got a grade A or A* (according to Schools Week).
Is Maths A Level too hard?
Maths A Level is certainly challenging, but it shouldn’t be vastly harder than other subjects, especially if you have the right skills, support and work ethic.
Some signs that Maths A Level might not be too hard include:
- You got at least a grade 6 in your Maths GCSE
- You have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
- You enjoy wrapping your head around abstract concepts
- You’re happy to carry out some independent learning
Remember, a maths tutor can also help to break down difficult topics and keep you on track with lesson plans tailored to you – find an A Level Maths tutor to help you reach your full potential today.
