Mathematics GCSE Inter

Mathematics GCSE
Maths
Board and Syllabus details
Board: OCR/MEI - Syllabus: MEI Mathematics J519
About the subject

The content of the course is constrained to meet the same criteria as any other Maths GCSE under the National Curriculum. However, it has been structured to give it a different feel so that a retake of the GCSE course can avoid being seen as repeated failure. The course is designed to coordinate with Key Skills Level 2 and students will have a chance to achieve this qualification as well.
The main teaching will be aimed at Foundation level.
Each individual student will have different weak areas, which have led to their previous unsatisfactory attempt. They will need to ensure that they use the textbook to get extra practise in these areas as well as the work in lessons.
By co-ordinating the teaching of the GCSE with the requirements of Key Skills, it is hoped that students who find the later material at Foundation Level beyond them may, nevertheless, be able to achieve a Level 2 Application of Number qualification. Key Skills Level 2 is for many purposes an equivalent to GCSE grade C.

Learning Styles
Through classwork and homeworks the course will focus closely on meeting the demands of the exam. We have plenty of past exam papers, which can be used for practise and each module will be preceded by a proper mock exam.
The coursework elements are designed to cope with the requirements of both Key Skills and GCSE.
Individual help is available in workshops to supplement the classwork.

Subject combinations and progression
The subject is taught with close links to Key Skills Application of Number at Level 2. This allows students two chances to achieve a 'Maths' qualification.

Subject modules and assessment
Paper 1 is taken in January and is designed to duplicate the content of the Key Skills Level 2 test (taken online from October). It is worth 40% of the marks, lasts 1½ hours and has calculator and non-calculator sections.
Paper 2 taken in June covers the rest of the requirements of the National Curriculum and is worth 60% of the marks, lasts 2 hours and has calculator and non-calculator sections.

Entry Requirements
D or E in GCSE Maths - those with D on Foundation or E would be well advised to make Key Skills level 2 the main aim.