Hello, and welcome to this short video on the Edexcel Awards in Mathematics.
There are four separate qualifications available.
Number and Measure, Level 1 and Level 2
Algebra, Level 2 and Level 3
Here are some of the answers to some frequently
asked questions when teachers are considering entering their students.
There are two opportunities to sit the examinations each year, both in January,
and in May. Students achieve either a pass or can be unclassified. They usually take around 60-70
hours to deliver, as a stand-alone qualification, which is around half a GCSE. Students gaining two
thirds of the marks, gain a pass and so progress towards a pass can be easily measured. The algebra
level 3 will gain 3 UCAS points. And finally, all of the awards are all eligible and funded
for pre-16 and 16-19 in England. Level 1 Number & Measure meets the condition of funding for 16-19
in England and is eligible for 19+ students in England under local flexibility funding.
Looking more closely at the Number and Measure awards, both Level One and Level Two fully support
the national numeracy strategy and there is no additional teaching time required outside of the
GCSE Maths specification. Both have two papers, that are sat consecutively in the same sitting.
There are a total number of 80 marks, made up from 50 marks in part A, the calculator section,
and 30 marks in the non-calculator section B. The total time is one hour and thirty minutes.
Both promote everyday maths, such as shopping and measures at Level 1, rates of pay and
currency conversions at Level 2. Both can be sat independently in any year of school.
Level 1 is a good challenge for KS3 students, a good motivator or confidence builder for year
10 and 11 students before their GCSE exams, and also for post-16 students to demonstrate their
ability in number and measure, whilst working towards their GCSE in maths.
Level 2 is a useful motivator and good practice for those external examinations at KS4,
and post-16 students may consider gaining a Level 1 in January, and then a Level 2 in May.
The algebra qualifications cover Level 2 and Level 3. Both have just one paper. Level 2
is one and a half hours, with 80 marks available, and Level 3 is two hours, with 90 marks available.
The Level 2 award allows students to practice key algebraic skills required for GCSE Maths,
and promotes confidence and accuracy in algebraic manipulation, solving equations and graphs. A pass
provides good evidence of proficiency in algebra, equivalent to a grade four or five at GCSE.
The Level 3 award in algebra focuses on knowledge, understanding and skills rather
than problem solving, and can be studied alongside other qualifications. As with all of the awards,
it can be sat independently of any year of school. The algebra level 3 award can be particularly
useful to stretch those higher attainers at GCSE - those grade 8 and 9 candidates. It can also be
suitable for those AS or A Level students who need additional key skill practice, or of course for
any post-16 student who may require a higher level of algebra or who simply just enjoy the topic.
Don't forget, you can find all the support you need on our dedicated website for Edexcel
Awards in Mathematics, along with the free resource site, the Maths Emporium.
Here, you can find schemes of work, practice and past papers, mark schemes and examiner reports.
You can also use ResultsPlus to analyse student performance, and finally there are
also write-in practice workbooks, that you can buy for even more practice, for your students.