Post-16 Mathematics qualifications: Differences between GCE A level, International A level, Cambridge Pre-U and Scottish examination questions

Abstract

This article describes the application of a taxonomy in order to compare and contrast the mathematical skills required to answer examination questions from four different post-16 Mathematics qualifications taken by students both in the UK and overseas: A levels and Advanced Subsidiary (AS) levels, International A and AS levels, Cambridge Pre-U, and Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers. Though the precise content and structure of the different qualifications differ slightly, they are all qualifications which should provide students with a sound basis for university study in Mathematics. All UK universities accept these qualifications as prerequisites for their Mathematics courses. It is therefore of interest to establish whether the questions asked in the assessments of these qualifications require the same kinds of mathematical skills. If there are notable differences among the qualifications, this could suggest that there might be corresponding differences in how well prepared students are for studying Mathematics at university.