Aims

The general aims of the programme are to develop logical thought; develop skills in devising, using and presenting mathematical arguments and critical analysis; develop creativity and persistence in the approach to problem solving; and to gain confidence in applying and using mathematical skills acquired. It is also to prepare students for the study of Mathematics post sixteen.

Course Content

The IGCSE Mathematics syllabus has two levels of entry – Foundation and Higher, and it does not feature any Controlled Assessments. This course starts formally at the start of Year 9.

Students at BISC are usually entered for Higher level, Foundation level being used only in exceptional circumstances. For all levels of entry, the syllabus is split into four sections - Number, Algebra, Geometry and Statistics - but there is significantly more content in the Higher level than there is in the Foundation level.

Students who show sound mathematical ability will cover a variety of more demanding topics and problems, including the use of graphic calculators, to prepare them for the challenges of sixth form study of mathematics.

IGCSE CONTENT, Foundation (highest grade possible 5): revision of all work covered in Years 7-8; the use of approximation and choosing the appropriate degree of accuracy; using standard form; evaluating formulae; using symbolic notation to express the rules of sequences;  simple  algebraic  manipulations  and  equations;  interpreting  graphs  which represent particular relationships; loci; calculations in plane and solid shapes; organising and analysing data; basic probability; the design and use of a questionnaire to test a hypothesis; constructing and interpreting cumulative frequency curves.

IGCSE CONTENT, HIGHER( highest grade possible 9): As above with the following additional material: sets and Venn diagrams, rational and irrational numbers; upper and lower bounds of calculations; expressing general laws in symbolic form; functions; solving equations using graphical methods; transformations of functions; equations of circles; non-linear simultaneous equations; investigating sequences including iteration; harder algebraic manipulation; vectors; trigonometry in three dimensions; histograms; function notation; calculus; conditional probability; the probability of two events happening.

IGCSE Further Pure: This is an additional higher level math course offered to students who wish to study maths at IB Higher Level. It is an extremely demanding course that stretches the brightest of students.  It is, however,  a very good grounding for both of the IB HL Math courses. The course consists of extensions of all pure mathematics topics outlined above. 

Further Pure is only suitable and offered to Set 1 students.

Assessment

There are two written papers of equal difficulty and weighting.  Both papers are calculator papers. Both papers have equal weighting of 50%. Foundation Level allows students to gain grades 1 to 5 while entry at Higher Level allows students to gain grades 3 to 9. All examinations are sat in May/June of Year 11. Top set classes often aim to sit their final exams in Year 10.

The Student Perspective

"Mathematics may be one of the most intricate subjects a student takes throughout their academic career, yet to those who observe its patterns with sufficient dedication and effort appreciate its beauty stems from its rationality and adherence to laws which constantly reappear. Mathematics, due to its seemingly complex nature, allows people to develop analytical and problem-solving skills as a result of the consistent application and exposure to logical thought whilst at times requiring extended consideration. Through the analysis of errors and successes - in not only mathematical work but also logical thought processes - and through the constant implementation of corrections, skills related to analysis and evaluation can be fine-tuned, positively affecting the understanding of topics in other subjects. 

Multiple aspects of Mathematics may also be practiced and applied to various other subjects such as the Sciences, Economics, and Computer Science. From the use of sets and powers in Computer Science to the use of trigonometry and vectors in Physics, Mathematics can act as an aid to most other subjects while also being essential to others such as Economics and Engineering. 

Although sometimes challenging, the wide range of applications of Mathematics in addition to the importance of experience gained from it allow Mathematics to become one of the fundamental subjects taken throughout one’s education, often being indispensable."

Selim G