Top Gcse Maths Students Moving On To A-level With No Knowledge Of Algebra

Teenagers who are successful in GCSE maths are failing to achieve good grades in the subject at A-level because they lack proper understanding of algebra and problem solving, according to research.

Pupils who have little knowledge of algebra are able to achieve A or B grades at GCSE, a study by Cambridge University's exam board found.

But they struggle at A-level because they have 'little understanding' of the more complex aspects of the subject and are ill-prepared for their exams.

One teacher blasted the GCSE exam as it 'requires very little understanding to gain the top grades.'

Another told The Daily Telegraph: 'Some need [the extra lessons] because they can achieve an A at GCSE with 65 per cent and very little algebraic ability.

'They think they are good at maths but not surprisingly bomb at A-Level because it is so algebraic'.

A study, conducted by Nicky Rushton and Frances Wilson of Cambridge Assessment, found that more than half of teachers asked felt that students were 'not well prepared' in problem solving or algebraic fluency.

The research, which was based on a survey of 179 teachers from comprehensive schools, independent school and FE institutions, found that 68 per cent of pupils struggled with mathematical proof.

It also found that the teachers felt that 47 per cent of pupils struggled with familiarity with technology while 18 per cent had difficulty with problem solving.

A further 18 per cent were deemed to have difficulty with functions and graphs, while 12 per cent lacked capability with geometry.

The study found that the majority of teachers surveyed (86 per cent) offered extra lessons at the start of A-levels to help combat the difficulties.

More than 80 per cent of teachers focused their extra lessons on improving algebra, while 17 per cent focused on quadratics and 15 per cent on functions and graphs.

The findings, which will be presented today to the British Educational Research Association annual conference, come after it was announced that the Government will toughen GCSE maths examinations.

New qualifications, which will be brought in from 2016, will force pupils to study a broader range of content, including additional algebra.