Level 2 Extended Maths certificate Level 2 Extended Maths certificate FAQs
We know you may have questions to ask, so we've put together a bank of FAQs to answer some of our common queries about the new qualification.
Please don't hesitate to get in touch with the team if you need support.
Frequently asked questions
The Extended Maths Certificate Level is designed to provide genuine stretch and challenge for high achieving students in mathematics at level 2. The qualification builds on and extends the GCSE Higher tier content to deepen their mathematical understand of key topic area, most notably in Algebra and algebraic manipulation. The areas that we have selected to extend beyond GCSE have been carefully chosen to provide a clear and meaningful pathway, which will provide them with the best possible foundation for success at A level maths, should those students wish to do so. The course is designed to be easily taught alongside GCSE Maths with opportunities built in for extension and further independent study which will engage and motivate learners in Maths.
The content in this course extends skills from GCSE Maths which naturally lends itself to developing skills required at A level. While there is no explicit level 3 content, the extension from GCSE is designed to provide a seamless bridge to the requirements at A level. The content included in this course will go beyond level 2 and will touch upon level 3 content in some areas to genuinely stretch and challenge for students taking the course. Topics such as, factor theorem, algebraic proof and vector geometry are examples of how we intend to extend the GCSE content appropriately and bridge the gap between GCSE and A level in Mathematics.
Students that are aiming for the grade 7-9 in GCSE Mathematics. This might include, but is not limited to, students who are planning on continuing maths at A Level. It can be used to simply provide additional stretch and challenge alongside GCSE Maths.
The first assessment will be Summer 2025. Assessments will always be during the summer series.
This qualification will engage, challenge and motivate your higher attaining maths students. The content is designed to complement GCSE Maths as well as extend their learning in key topic areas. This will lead to a deeper understanding of GCSE maths content as well as an increased confidence for students to continue to study maths beyond GCSE.
There will be two papers, one calculator and one non calculator, each equally weighted at 60 marks and of length 75 minutes. We decided to keep a non-calculator component in this qualification to support the skills required at GCSE as well as reinforcing the understanding needed in key topic areas if students were to continue their mathematical study beyond GCSE.
We will have a program of launch events as well as GRTT events (get ready to teach events) throughout next academic year (2023/24). We know how valued our free qualification support via the Maths Emporium is for our other Maths Qualifications, and we are planning to provide a similar level of support in terms of practice papers, topic tests, themed papers etc for the Extended Maths Certificate Level 2.
We are currently working on how to best support our teachers and students with regards to any published resources such as textbooks, practice books or student workbooks. As well as print resources, we are exploring digital resources that will best support the guided teaching and independent learning needed for this qualification.
The published Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs) will be available from November 2023. We are also planning to release additional specimen papers in readiness for first teaching in September 2024.
As the qualification is in development, we are working with the relevant organisations to see how this new qualification can count towards Progress 8 performance measures. We will keep you updated here with any further information we have on this as we move through the final stages of development for the Extended Maths Certificate Level 2.