GCSE Further Mathematics Specification 13136
GCSE Further Mathematics Specification 13136
We will make the first full award based on this specification in summer 2014.
We are now offering this specification as a unitised course. This development increases
flexibility and choice for teachers and learners.
We will notify centres in writing of any major changes to this specification. We will also
publish changes on our website at www.ccea.org.uk
The version on our website is the most up-to-date version. Please note that the web
version may be different from printed versions.
Subject Code 2335
QAN 600/9508/8
1 Introduction 3
1.1 Aims 3
1.2 Key features 3
1.3 Prior attainment 4
1.4 Classification codes and subject combinations 4
2 Specification at a Glance 5
3 Subject Content 6
3.1 Unit 1: Pure Mathematics 6
3.2 Unit 2: Mechanics and Statistics 10
4 Scheme of Assessment 14
4.1 Assessment opportunities 14
4.2 Assessment objectives 14
4.3 Assessment objective weightings 14
4.4 Reporting and grading 14
5 Grade Descriptions 15
6 Links 17
6.1 Support 17
6.2 Curriculum objectives 17
6.3 Skills development 18
6.4 Examination entries 18
6.5 Equality and inclusion 19
6.6 Contact details 19
Appendix 1 20
Formula Sheets
Appendix 2 22
Assumed Knowledge
1 Introduction
This specification sets out the content and assessment details for our GCSE Further
Mathematics course. First teaching begins from September 2013, and we will make the
first awards for this specification in 2014. You can view and download the latest version
of this specification on our website at www.ccea.org.uk
The specification builds on the broad objectives of the Northern Ireland Curriculum.
As with all GCSEs, the guided learning hours for this specification are 120–140 hours.
1.1 Aims
This specification aims to encourage students to:
• develop further their mathematical knowledge, skills and understanding;
• select and apply mathematical techniques and methods in mathematical, everyday and
real-world situations;
• reason mathematically, interpret and communicate mathematical information, make
deductions and inferences, and draw conclusions;
• extend the base in mathematics from which they can progress to:
− higher studies in mathematics; and/or
− studies such as science, geography, technology or business which contain a significant
requirement in mathematics beyond Higher Tier GCSE Mathematics; and
• design and develop mathematical models that allow them to use problem solving
strategies and apply a broader range of mathematics to a variety of situations.
2 Specification at a Glance
The table below summarises the structure of this GCSE Further Mathematics course:
2 hours
2 hours
3 Subject Content
We have divided the course into two units. The content of each unit, as well as the
respective learning outcomes, appears below.
Results for 2.8.3 transform sets of data. Know that if a data set
Transformed is transformed such
Data that:
Y = aX + b , then
Y = a X + b and
σ y = 𝑎𝑎𝑋
Line of Best Fit 2.10.2 draw a line of best fit by eye, The plotting of original
passing through the point ( x , y ) ; data will be given.
Know that –1 ≤ r ≤ 1
and that, for this
specification, values
–0.4 ≤ r ≤ 0.4 will be
taken as weak or no
correlation.
4 Scheme of Assessment
4.1 Assessment opportunities
You can see the availability of the examinations in Section 2 of this specification.
Candidates may resit each individual assessment unit once. If candidates resit a unit, they
are free to count the better of the two marks they achieve unless the resit makes up part
of their 40 percent terminal assessment. If the resit does make up part of the terminal
assessment, the resit mark will count towards the final grade.
Results for individual assessments units remain available to count towards a GCSE
qualification until we withdraw the specification.
Component Weighting %
Assessment Objective
Unit 1 Unit 2
We award GCSE qualifications on an eight-grade scale A*–G, with A* being the highest.
If candidates fail to attain a grade G or higher, we report their results as unclassified (U).
5 Grade Descriptions
Grade descriptions are provided to give a general indication of the standards of
achievement likely to have been shown by candidates awarded particular grades. The
descriptions must be interpreted in relation to the content in the specification; they are
not designed to define that content.
The grade awarded depends in practice upon the extent to which the candidate has met
the assessment objectives overall. Shortcomings in some aspects of candidates’
performance in the assessment may be balanced by better performances in others.
Grade Description
Grade Description
6 Links
6.1 Support
We provide the following resources to support this specification:
• our website;
• a subject microsite within our website;
• specimen papers and mark schemes; and
• Topic Tracker.
Topic Tracker allows teachers to produce their own test papers using past paper
examination questions and generates a mark scheme to match.
Some support material from the previous specification may also remain useful.
You can find our annual support programme of events and materials for GCSE Further
Mathematics on our website at www.ccea.org.uk
• progress from the Key Stage 3 Northern Ireland Curriculum requirements through:
− knowledge and understanding of number, algebra, shape, space and measures, and
handling data;
− knowledge and understanding of personal finance issues;
− skills that enable competent and responsible financial decision-making;
− the application of mathematical skills to real-life and work situations; and
− the creative use of technology to enhance mathematical understanding;
• develop an understanding of spiritual, moral, ethical, social, legislative, economic and
cultural issues by providing opportunities to:
− explore and understand the underlying mathematical principles behind some of the
natural forms and patterns in the world around us;
− recognise how logical reasoning can be used to consider the consequences of
particular decisions and choices;
− work together on complex mathematical tasks and see that the collaborative result is
often better than what they could achieve individually;
• appreciate that mathematical thought contributes to the development of our culture
and is becoming increasingly central to our highly technological future;
• recognise the ways in which mathematicians from many cultures have contributed to
modern day mathematics; and
• develop an understanding of sustainable development, health and safety
considerations and European developments.
You can find details of the current standards and guidance for each of these skills on the
CCEA website at www.ccea.org.uk
Alternatively, you can telephone our Examination Entries, Results and Certification team
using the contact details provided in this section.
GCSE qualifications often require the assessment of a broad range of competences. This
is because they are general qualifications and, as such, prepare students for a wide range
of occupations and higher level courses.
During the development process, an external equality panel reviewed the specification to
identify any potential barriers to equality and inclusion. Where appropriate, we have
considered measures to support access and mitigate barriers.
Reasonable adjustments are made for students with disabilities. For this reason very few
students, if any, should have difficulty accessing the assessment.
It is important to note that where access arrangements are permitted, they must not be
used in any way that undermines the integrity of the assessment. You can find
information on reasonable adjustments in the Joint Council for Qualifications’ document
Access Arrangements, Reasonable Adjustments and Special Consideration: General and Vocational
Qualifications, available at www.jcq.org.uk
• Examiner Recruitment
(telephone: (028) 9026 1243, email: [email protected])
• Distribution
(telephone: (028) 9026 1242, email: [email protected])
Appendix 1
Formula Sheets
Appendix 2
Assumed Knowledge
Students should have thorough knowledge of:
• using calculators effectively and efficiently, including trigonometrical functions
• factorising quadratic expressions
• simplifying algebraic fractions
• the use of the quadratic formula
• setting up and solving simple equations, including simple simultaneous linear
equations in two unknowns
• the rules of indices
• the gradient of a straight line, parallel and perpendicular lines
• the equation of a straight line
• graphs of:
− sin, cos and tan functions
− reciprocal function
− exponential function y = ax where a = 2, 3, 4 and x ε Z
− quadratic and simple cubic functions
• Pythagoras’ theorem
• trigonometry
• the use of sine rule, cosine rule and area of triangle rule
• three figure bearings
• understanding and using compound measures
• finding areas of a rectangle, triangle and trapezium
• mean, mode, median and range for ungrouped and grouped data
• drawing scatter graphs
• drawing lines of best fit by eye
• distinguishing between positive, negative and zero correlation
• probability
− probability scale
− independent events
− mutually exclusive events
− illustrating combined probability of several events using tabulation or a tree diagram
− producing a tree diagram to illustrate the combined probability of several events
which are not independent.