AS and A Level Maths
29 November 2016
Important changes to our AS and A Level Maths qualifications
We are currently reforming our AS and A Levels in line with the government programme of general qualification reform and, as a result, our Maths provision is changing. Changes to the existing Maths qualifications, which are part of the redevelopment programme, are given in the 'Changes to OCR's AS and A Level Maths qualifications' table, below.
For AS and A Levels in Maths, Further Maths, Maths (MEI), Further Maths (MEI), Additional Further Maths (MEI), Pure Maths and Statistics, the final assessment opportunity will be in June 2018, with resit opportunities in June 2019. We will continue to support and assess all of the current Maths qualifications up to the conclusion of the final assessment series.
Direct replacements are available for many of the existing Maths qualifications and where there isn’t a direct replacement, an alternative has been suggested.
Changes to OCR's AS and A Level Maths qualifications
Please note: we are also making changes to our Quantitative Methods provision. Please refer to the separate Notice to Centres for more detailed information.
Replacement and alternative qualifications
We are the only exam board to provide two new suites for AS and A Level Maths and Further Maths - OCR A and OCR B (MEI) - for first teaching from September 2017, so that teachers can choose the approach that suits them and their students. Our latest Maths blog ‘Why choose OCR’s A Level Mathematics?’ outlines the overarching features of the new qualifications.
The first assessments for AS Level Mathematics, A Level Mathematics and AS Level Further Mathematics will be in June 2018. The first assessments for A Level Further Mathematics will be June 2019.
Coverage of statistics
As part of the Department for Education's (DfE) guidance on subject content, there is statistics content in our new A Level Maths and Further Maths suites. For example, OCR’s Further Maths B (MEI) gives students major and minor statistics options. For post 16 students with a particular interest in statistics who are not taking A Level Maths, OCR’s Core Maths Level 3 Certificate in Quantitative Problem Solving (MEI) (H867) also gives them an opportunity to study statistics in depth.
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
For centres looking for an alternative course, we would recommend our Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Our EPQ can provide your students with the skills that universities look for, to help them stand out from the crowd. The EPQ gives students the freedom to investigate an application of mathematics in a real life context, research an aspect of mathematics in greater detail, or utilise the statistical problem solving framework to ensure the successful outcome of a genuine real life activity.
Core Maths
OCR has also developed two Core Maths Level 3 Certificates in Quantitative Problem Solving (H867) and Quantitative Reasoning (H866), designed to support post-16 learners with the mathematical and statistical needs of their further study of other subjects, as well as for employment and everyday life. These qualifications are supported by a large resource package available from MEI.
Support
At OCR we are committed to supporting you through the changes to our AS and A Level Maths provisions, by offering a wide range of guidance and support, including:
- Visit the OCR Mathematics web pages for the latest articles, blogs, newsletter and useful links
- Visit the AS and A Level Maths FAQs page for answers to frequently asked questions from teachers about our new AS and A Level Maths and Further Maths qualifications
- Contact the Maths subject team
- Search for continued professional development (CPD) events
- Sign-up for subject email updates
- We will also be providing twice-termly online Q&A sessions for the new Maths and Further Maths specifications.
We have also created the Qual Change Planner, an online planning tool supporting teachers, learners and assessment specialists through qualification change. It enables users to select their current qualifications, identify final assessment dates and then determine which new reformed or alternative OCR qualifications to transfer to.
For the latest news and guidance on the reform of general qualifications please visit our dedicated GCSE and A level reform pages on the OCR website.
For further information on deadlines for submitting entries, entry amendments/withdrawals and the submission of marks for internal assessment please see the Administration area of the OCR website.
If you have any queries about this notice or if you have a question that you cannot find the answer to on our FAQ page, please email us at maths@ocr.org.uk or contact our Customer Contact Centre on 01223 553998 or via general.qualifications@ocr.org.uk.
Go to the Maths hub page.
Qualifications