What is Additional Mathematics?

Additional Mathematics is a level 3 FSMQ (Free-Standing Mathematics Qualification) aimed at able year 11 students.

Why do Additional Mathematics?

It may be appropriate to consider a two year programme of GCSE Mathematics and Additional Mathematics for able students at KS4, completing both courses at the end of Year 11. This would have several benefits:

• exposure to Additional Mathematics would provide sufficient challenge whilst helping many students to gain an A or A* at GCSE
• students would not have the option to drop mathematics before the end of Year 11
• students would receive a broad and deep education in mathematics at an appropriate pace
• they would have a firmer foundation on which to start their A level studies
• more able students would be in a position to start Year 12 already confident with much of the material in Core 1 whilst ready for the challenge of FP1

The content of Additional Mathematics

Four strands of Pure Maths each followed by an application:

• Algebra leading to The binomial distribution
• Co-ordinate geometry leading to Linear programming
• Trigonometry leading to 3D Trigonometry
• Calculus leading to Kinematics

Resources available

• Textbook: Additional Mathematics for OCR (Val Hanrahan)
• Online resources: www.addmaths.mei.org.uk
• Past papers: www.mei.org.uk/meiresources/ampapers.php

Professional development

A 2-day CPD course: "An introduction to Additional Mathematics" is available. See www.mei.org.uk/cpd/alevel.shtml for more information.

Further information

The qualification is offered by OCR, see www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/FreeStandingMathematicsQualification-AdditionalMathematics.html for the full specification and assessment materials.

FSMQs qualify for UCAS and performance table points.