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Maths S3/S4

Mathematics Access/Foundation, Intermediate and Standard Grade (Access Level 3/Foundation, Intermediate Level 1 & Standard Grade Credit Level)

What you can expect in the course?

This year we will be offering the following courses.

Foundation, General/Foundation, Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2

Intermediate 2: This is a demanding course for students at the upper range of mathematical ability. It is a national qualification course which means that there will be unit assessments throughout the course. Our course is structured so that a start will already have been made to the course in S2. This means that the course should be completed during S4, leaving time in S4 to do some pre-higher work if suitable.

Intermediate 1 : For those students in the middle range of ability, that is those with an Intermediate 1 course estimate, we are offering the Intermediate 1 Mathematics course. Like Intermediate 2 there are unit assessments throughout the course which have to be passed as well as the end of course examination in May of Fourth year for a course award to be gained.

General/Foundation: One disadvantage of the national qualifications is that failure to pass leads to no mathematics award at all. An alternative to doing Intermediate 1 is to follow the General/Foundation course which means that students sit both exams, the Foundation acting as a safeguard in case they fail the General. This is the recommended course for students that we think could cope with the level of work on a day to day basis at Intermediate 1 level, but may have difficulty passing the exam.

Foundation: For those with a General/Foundation course estimate we are offering, as we have in the past, Access 3 followed by Standard Grade at Foundation level. The first course is a national qualification with internal assessment only. It is usually achieved by the end of the Third year. The work in this course overlaps with that of Foundation Mathematics, which is studied mostly in Fourth year. This course has an examination at the end of the Fourth year.

Transfer between courses

It will be possible for pupils to transfer between the courses, after consultation between parents and the Principal Teacher. It is unlikely, however, that pupils will transfer to a more difficult course, especially after the middle of the Third year.

Assessments

All courses have regular assessments and homework exercises.
More details will be given at the start of each course.
All courses have an examination at the end of the Third year and preliminary exam in the Fourth year.

What is expected from you?

Materials:

All students should have a calculator, ruler, protractor and pair of compasses. Students presented at Foundation level require a basic calculator. Other students require a simple scientific calculator with SIN, COS and TAN keys.

Homework:

All students will be required to do homework during these courses, with an increasing amount depending on the level. One week’s notice will be given for a major exercise but students will also on occasion be expected to consolidate ideas by doing 5/10 minutes work for the next day.

Time for reinforcement and consolidation spent at home is invaluable in Mathematics. Of the three courses, the Intermediate 2 Course requires the most commitment both in school and at home if full benefit is to be gained. In particular, rigorous revision before the prelim exam is essential for success.