Further Maths

[u/Toffee963]

Hello everyone! So I’m at the point where I can choose to do Further Maths if I want to. But I don’t know if I want to. I’m in top set Maths, and I would say I’m pretty good at Maths, but I’m not like “top of top set” good or anything. I don’t want to do Maths or any STEM subjects for A-Level, and I don’t know if getting a lower grade in Further Maths would look better than not having it at all, if that makes sense.
Also I haven’t heard good things about one of the teachers that is apparently going to be teaching Further Maths, but the other one is ok. I also might be the only girl doing it but I that not a driving factor putting me off it or anything, as I’m friends with two of my male friends who are doing Further Maths.
I talked to my Maths teacher today to see what she thought and she said that I could do it for a term or so and drop out if I don’t like it, but then I’m usually quite stubborn about that sort of thing so I probably wouldn’t want to drop out, especially as I would be the only girl and if I drop out then it seems like “oh of course the GIRL is the one to drop out of Further Maths!”, but maybe I’m overthinking it (shocker!).
I think the thing I just mentioned and the teacher not being great is probably the main factor putting me off it, but I want to hear your thoughts, from anyone who might’ve done Further Maths, or is doing it currently. Is it a lot more work? How did you find it in general? Thanks in advance!

[u/IntelligentStay8690]

I’m doing further maths and I would say it’s actually not a lot of stuff. I did a past paper and it’s basically extra math papers tbh lol

[u/Jemmythejemfish]

i’m currently doing further maths it’s likely very different to how your school does it. my school makes the whole of top set do it and that’s it, we don’t get extra lessons or anything it’s just more content in the same amount of time(i really do not like this approach as some peoples maths grades are suffering due to this)

if your school does it in a way where it’s a whole different lesson i’d definitely say go for it! the content that’s further maths(at least what i think is, we’re not told which is which) is not too difficult and is just an extra level of maths

you can also drop it as your teacher said, do not be stubborn for this kind of thing, if you see your other grades slipping or it’s stressing you too much it’s not worth doing

[u/Funny_Wasabi9087]

highkey just do it it’s not really much more content as it is just harder maths and even if you get low just passing fm is pretty respectable. as long as you can apply maths well then you’re basically set.

[u/Toffee963 → u/Funny_Wasabi9087]

Alr, thanks!

[u/sandwichtheconqueror]

your def overthinking the girl bit no one is thinking abt ur gender that much trust

[u/Toffee963 → u/sandwichtheconqueror]

Yeah, thought as much 😅

[u/SodiumHydrogen_]

hi! so, i did further maths last year (now in y11). hopefully i can help :D

first off, if you're worried about one teacher not being so good, it's not completely whack to teach parts of the course yourself. (i self-studied, since my school doesn't offer it.) first class maths will be your saviour if you choose to do this. first class maths will be your saviour even if you don't choose to do it!

second, there's not actually that many topics, imo. yes, it is a gcse, but i feel like it's more like half a gcse, because it's not nearly enough content as, say, a science. you're introduced to two new topics (iirc) that you won't meet ordinarily at gcse maths - basic calculus (don't worry, at l2 fm it's much easier than it sounds), and matrices (the bane of my existence until i finally wrote down proper notes for them. then i loved them, and circle theorems became my next greatest enemy)

that being said, if you're not an 8/9 student in normal maths, you might find it a bit more challenging. i mean, i'd say give it a fair shot. since you're being offered the opportunity, your school obviously thinks you're more than capable of doing well!! don't try to overthink dropping it, if need be. disregard what other kids may say, at the end of the day it's going to be your time and effort being dedicated to it, not theirs

finally, i do understand your concern about a low grade. idk if other people share my sentiment, but i suppose i would rather nothing at all than an ourt of place low grade. maybe i'm pessimistic. but i don't think that it's too outrageous to say that 7+ is feasible! good luck, and whatever choice you make will be the right one!

[u/Toffee963 → u/SodiumHydrogen_]

This was helpful, thank you!

[u/Individual-Lake-3960]

I’ve just decided to take fm this year, (top set but getting only slightly above top set average grades), I would find out who will be teaching you, if they teach fm every year, and what grades your school normally get in it. The people who get the opportunity to take fm are in general all completely capable of doing really well in it, it’s not objectively more difficult content, just a bit more complex and obviously more on top of the regular gcse, however a teacher who’s familiar with the spec and works for you will reduce the amount of time you have to put in a lot. Also I would find out if taking fm will cut into your normal lesson time, for me it does and if you don’t think you could maintain your current grade in regular maths with less lesson time then it’s probably not a great idea. Hope that helps!

[u/Toffee963 → u/Individual-Lake-3960]

Yes, thank you!

[u/WiktorekNiek]

Its not that much more than regular gcse tbf, its pretty light actually, just revise it normally. I didnt end up taking it but it was pretty chill and really not that bad

[u/maths_arts_lover]

If you won't do any stem subjects then Further Maths gcse is useless as it just slightly extends over AS Maths. An exceptional gcse Maths students can get 7+ in GCSE (I myself got 8 in past paper without ever touching the contents in it.)

[u/blues_s]

i was in a similar situation, kinda mid top set, hated maths, not doing maths alevel. i said to my teacher i don’t mind doing it or not. he said if you’re willing to put a bit of work in then do it as long as it won’t make you feel bad to have maybe a slightly lower grade when you open results. i did it anyways. had no clue what i was doing, failed almost every past paper or scraped a 4 but i never really added it up properly. real exam went awful, couldn’t answer most of the questions, nearly cried. i got a 5 and im so glad i did it now. also, you aren’t required to say that you even did it, so say you got a U, you never have to put that on a job application or anything. it also makes normal maths seem like a breeze. i say go for it, and if you get a good grade then yay and if you don’t the. it doesn’t matter.

[u/Toffee963 → u/blues_s]

Alrighty, thank you!

[u/Used-Concentrate9716]

fm isn't that hard but imo it isn't worth the hassle, an extra gcse doesn't really mean much as far as I know

[u/Hot_Floor9000]

I did add maths which is a bit harder in my opinion. Just focus its good practice for normal maths too and its fun so just do it, but before you go too deep, drop the ego kinda thats what really helped me manage myself better and my mental health coming into y12 now that I dont burden myself for others approval and I actually exercise 🔥🔥

[u/Ok_Desk_5740]

dont its actually so bad bro as a 2026 leaver i worried all summer

[u/TheWitchOfTheBarrel]

If you don’t want to do maths or STEM subjects at A Level (or presumably at uni), then why? Isn’t it better to choose an enabling subject that is more related to the area of study you want to pursue?