Umming and ahhing about taking Further Maths for A Level? Then you might be wondering… is Further Maths A Level Hard?
Here, we’ll help you to understand how hard Further Maths is as an A Level (pretty hard!) and whether it’s worth it (if you’re asking the question, probably!).
And don’t forget – finding a maths tutor is a great way to make sure you can keep up with your Further Maths A Level class and reach your full potential in the exams.
Is A Level Further Maths hard?
Yes! A Level Further Maths is designed to really stretch your mathematical skills.
In fact, it’s often seen as the hardest A Level.
Why?
Well, it builds on the knowledge you’ll learn doing A Level Maths.
In this way, it’s meant to be even more in-depth – hence its name, Further Maths.
And let’s be honest, A Level Maths isn’t exactly a walk in the park itself!
Because of this, you can only take Further Maths A Level if you also do A Level Maths.
This ensures you’re familiar with the more ‘basic’ concepts you’ll need to tackle the more in-depth questions and concepts in Further Maths.
How hard is Further Maths A Level?
Every learner is different, so it’s impossible to say for sure how hard you would find Further Maths A Level.
Rather, it all depends on your aptitude for maths, your work ethic and, of course, whether you enjoy it.
After all, if you truly enjoy wrapping your head around challenging mathematical concepts, studying for your Further Maths A Level won’t feel like a chore and you’re much more likely to get a good grade.
That said, there’s certainly some really challenging content on the course that you’ll need to be prepared to tackle.
The core content that every student has to study includes:
- Proof
- Complex numbers
- Matrices
- Further algebra and functions
- Further calculus
- Further vectors
- Polar coordinates
- Hyperbolic functions
- Differential equations
As well as building on algebra and calculus introduced in A Level Maths, this core content introduces fundamental mathematical ideas that will serve you well in fields such as engineering, physical sciences and computing.
But that’s not all.
You’ll also be able to choose from a range of different options so you can specialise in an area of maths that’s especially relevant to your interests and aspirations.
These will vary depending on which exam board you’re with.
But, as an example, AQA requires you to study two of the following three options:
- Mechanics
- Statistics
- Discrete
In this way, Further Maths A Level is all about preparing you for further study and employment in highly mathematical disciplines.
A private Further Maths tutor can help to give you a solid understanding of all the topics covered in class, so you don’t get left behind.
How hard is it to get A* in A Level Further Maths?
Contrary to what you might think, a very high proportion of students achieve the top grades in A Level Further Maths.
In 2024, 28.7% of Further Maths students achieved an A* (according to FFT Education Datalab).
This is compared to 16.9% for Maths A Level.
With that in mind, you might think that it’s easier to get an A* in Further Maths than in A Level Maths.
But don’t fall into that trap!
Further Maths is harder than A Level Maths. It’s just that the majority of students taking Further Maths are already mathematically inclined.
After all, Further Maths is designed especially for students who have a particular interest in and aptitude for the subject – many of whom will go onto degrees in maths and related subjects.
Not only are these students more likely to be able. They’ll also be more likely to put in the work and preparation needed to reach the highest grades.
Is Further Maths A Level worth it?
So, is Further Maths A Level worth all the hard work you’ll need to put in?
That depends completely on you and your goals – and how much you enjoy maths as a subject.
If you’re hoping to pursue maths-related subjects in your further studies and career then Further Maths will absolutely be worth it.
For instance, it can be especially helpful if you’re looking at degrees such as engineering, natural sciences, medicine, maths and computer science.
On the other hand, if you’re planning to pursue a subject in the arts – such as English – Further Maths A Level probably won’t be worth it.
Don’t get us wrong. It’s still a facilitating subject, so it’s unlikely to do any harm to your application – especially if you take it as a fourth A Level. But it’ll be much more important to have an English Literature A Level under your belt.
Not sure what you want to do after your A Levels? Taking facilitating subjects such as Further Maths is a great shout, as it’s a sure-fire way to impress universities and employers.
It’ll also open up tons of possibilities in your future studies and career. After all, a solid foundation in maths is sought after in industries ranging from STEM to finance; engineering to architecture and even artificial intelligence!
But don’t force yourself into taking Further Maths if it’s not a subject you enjoy. Rather, choosing subjects that you like will help you to stay motivated throughout your A Level studies. And that’ll give you the best chance of reaching your full potential.
Find a tutor to bring Further Maths A Level to life
As you can see, Further Maths A Level can be challenging. But it’s definitely a challenge that’s worth taking if you want to pursue maths after college or sixth form.
To give yourself the best chance of passing your A Level – and reaching the highest grades – why not find a maths tutor to support you every step of the way?
A Further Maths A Level tutor will give you one-on-one attention 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 Further Maths too hard?
You’ll usually need at least a grade 7 in your Maths GCSE to take Further Maths A Level. However, most schools will want you to have a grade 8 or 9 to make sure you have a strong base to work from.
What is harder, Further Maths or physics?
Physics is generally regarded as an easier subject than Further Maths. However, more students reach the top grades in Further Maths than they do in physics.
For instance, in 2024, 76.7% of students got at least a grade C in Further Maths. This compares to just 69.7% in physics (according to data from FFT Education Datalab).
What is the hardest subject in A Level?
Further Maths is widely regarded as the hardest A Level subject, as it’s designed to be even more challenging than A Level Maths.
That said, everyone is different, so it all depends on your strengths and weaknesses.
What percentage of students get A* at A Level Further Maths?
In 2024, 28.7% of Further Maths students achieved an A* (according to FFT Education Datalab).
A tutor can increase your chances of getting an A* by working with you to develop a tailored lesson plan that takes into account your strengths, weaknesses and learning style. Browse our handpicked Further Maths A Level tutors to get started!
