Math Is Fun Forum

NVS

Member

Registered: 2011-04-30

Posts: 1

CIE A Level Mathematics- Mechanics M1 or Statistics S2 for A2

Hi
I'm currently in the middle of taking AS Maths, CIE board, with S1 (compulsory). What do you I should pick for my A2 module, M1 or S2, based on the ideas of
1. Which is easier to gain top marks in (content wise and exam question wise)?
2. Which would be more helpful in medicine?

N.B. I am finding S1 fine, and I am taking Physics, and I do enjoy Mechanics but am worried that the exam is much harder than in S2. Again note that this is the CIE board.

Thanks!

Allen

Guest

Re: CIE A Level Mathematics- Mechanics M1 or Statistics S2 for A2

Statistics is very hard for me, i find mechanics very very easy but if u wanna go for medicine go for statistics!:)

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: CIE A Level Mathematics- Mechanics M1 or Statistics S2 for A2

Hi Allen and NVS;

Welcome to the forum!

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,149

Re: CIE A Level Mathematics- Mechanics M1 or Statistics S2 for A2

hi NVS

Which to take?  M1 or S2.

Generally, I'd say, follow your interests ... ie which do you enjoy more?  As you are doing physics you'll already have some ideas about M1 and may well find some overlap in the content which will make it the easier option.

But you want to do medicine.  So you'll need to be able to understand lots about data analysis and testing (new drugs for example)

I'd rather my doctor / nurse / surgeon etc had done enough stats to be able to advise on the best treatment.

So I'm inclined to say, go for S2.  You'll have some knowledge of M1 anyway from physics .... enough to pick up anything new you meet later.

Either way, good luck with the exams. 

Bob

---

Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob

sugarplum

Member

Registered: 2012-07-27

Posts: 1

Re: CIE A Level Mathematics- Mechanics M1 or Statistics S2 for A2

Hi.. i've just given my O'level exam.. and now i'm in A-level/ i'm having difficulty choosing between mechanics and statistics. i don't know any of them. i hope u can help me

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: CIE A Level Mathematics- Mechanics M1 or Statistics S2 for A2

Hi sugarplum;

You say you do not know either of them? It will be difficult choosing when you do not know what the choices are.

I would choose statistics then I can help you.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,149

Re: CIE A Level Mathematics- Mechanics M1 or Statistics S2 for A2

hi sugarplum

Welcome to the forum!

Do you know what exam board? 

I'm guessing it's the CIE but it could be you stumbled on this thread without that.

You could take a look at the syllabus for each and that would give you an idea what you'd have to do.

What other A levels are you doing?

Are you in the UK?

Bob

---

Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob

zetafunc.

Guest

Re: CIE A Level Mathematics- Mechanics M1 or Statistics S2 for A2

I'm tempted to jump in and say that S2 is a lot easier (I think it is for most exam boards), but it does depend on your mechanics ability. S2 is more relevant to medicine in my opinion, and in my class most people did a lot better in S2 than they did in M1. I've found that how you performed in your physics GCSE (the mechanics topics) can be a useful indicator for how you may fare in M1.