AS-Level maths - can adults do it?

When I did AS 2 years ago we didn't get an actual text book, just handouts from the teacher and demonstrations.

It shouldn't be too hard to pick up a book and teach yourself it if you can do GCSE maths alright, I can't help you out on what book though sorry.

Edit - Your local college may offer adult lessons in the evenings, might be an idea?
 
If you cant then there will be an equivalent in the way of something like a GNVQ, BTEC or whatever they fall under. Your probably best off dropping into a local college, most of them have an advice centre that will be able to discuss what will be available to you.
 
They've probably changed the system since I did it, but AS Maths isn't that hard if you put your mind to it.

P1 and S1 are very straightforward. P2 is harder but if you store the formulas in your calculator you're sorted :p
 
DAnDan said:
When I did AS 2 years ago we didn't get an actual text book, just handouts from the teacher and demonstrations.

It shouldn't be too hard to pick up a book and teach yourself it if you can do GCSE maths alright, I can't help you out on what book though sorry.

Edit - Your local college may offer adult lessons in the evenings, might be an idea?
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Yeh I looked at that yesterday and they only seem to do upto GCSE which I already have a C in from back in the day.

Will probably ring them tommorrow.

The masters course I'm looking at recommended buying and understanding Engineering Mathematics before I start the course. I have bought the book and it seems fairly straightforward.

I wanna get an AS-level Maths before I start if I can, as a confidence builder.
 
Just took a quick look an the jungle website, there seems to be a fair few decent books on there that may be of use, not sure if I can link to them though.
 
I've just finished my A Levels in Maths and Further Maths at college.

We had a forty-something woman in our class for the whole two years, she somehow managed to fit this around her job as a nurse at the local hospital.

So yeah, it can be done, as long as you meet the individual college requirements. As said above, some colleges offer evening classes if you want to be away from the 'younger' students, but if you really want to I don't see why you can't do one during the day. Like you've said, ring them and see what they say.
 
I'm doing A level maths at home, ready for uni in 2011- late as it may be (I'll be classed as a 'mature' student). There's no lack of online resources and one in particular- Khan Academy (http://www.youtube.com/user/khanacademy) is very good though it might be tricky to find what is relevant to your choice of units in maths. Pretty much everything in maths is covered there, just a matter of finding it.

Choose one of the main awarding bodies (AQA, Edexcel and OCR iirc) then go to their website and contact them to obtain a list of colleges/test centres that may allow you to sit your exams, for a fee. You may have to travel a bit to sit the exams as in my experience, few (even on the list) will allow you to sit exams when you aren't a student at their college.

I've got 'till January to get up to AS-standard which adds a little pressure since I'm currently around GCSE level. It helps that I've got plenty of spare time at the moment though.

Good luck to you.
 
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I got the time and I don't need the qualification to get on the course, but if it's anything like my BSc I will struggle unless I actually address my flaws in maths now :p

Look at my two local college's and they only seem to go upto GCSE level.
 
Oh well, hopefully what I've written will help someone else then. :p

Personally, I'd just buy the books if you don't actually need the qualification. Not to mention that these courses are often spread out over a long period of time, and will more than likely cost a fair bit.
 
Oxy said:
The masters course I'm looking at recommended buying and understanding Engineering Mathematics before I start the course. I have bought the book and it seems fairly straightforward.

I wanna get an AS-level Maths before I start if I can, as a confidence builder.
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What level of maths were they talking about - are you sure A-level is going to be enough?

For Engineering mathematics I would assume you'd require stuff outside of the AS syllabus - differential equations, matrices etc..

The OU might be more useful for you - its specifically designed for part time study and the teaching material is likely better than anything else you'll be able to find. Take a look at the website some of the courses are specifically designed for people who haven't studied much maths for a while.
 
We got textbooks specific to each module, will try and find them tomorrow if I didn't hand them back. C1 is rahally easy, C2 is slightly more difficult, and S1 (if you choose it) is a case of learning 2 formulas and breezing an A :)
 
I'll look into it. As on paper I don't have A-level Maths, but I have my GCSE and a degree in Earth Science, I wanted to do it as a refresher and to build confidence but if it's going to cost me hundreds I may aswell just learn it unofficially.
 
The maths my friends that do engineering do in their first year is about equivalent to further maths A-level. A masters course will probably involve harder stuff, I'd recommend you study as much mathematical techniques as you can before the course.

Your best bet would be to contact the university and ask them directly what level of maths you should be proficient in.


As regards to textbooks, even though I'm coming to the end of my first year in Maths and Physics at warwick, I've just used lecture notes to revise maths as of now, and the handouts at A-level. I think OCR/MEI do good maths text books...

By the way, if you get to choose exam board for A-level studies, go with the MEI course, its tailored around engineering so should be more suitable
 
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