Core Maths - must be taken alongside 3 full courses (4th/5th option)

OCR Level 3 Certificate Core Maths (specification A)

This course is equivalent to half an A Level.

This course has a large focus on ‘real life maths’. Core Maths is about using Mathematics to solve the kind of problems you will meet in real life and can be useful to support maths content when studying other subjects.

Component 1: Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning

Students use problem-solving cycles in modelling, statistics and financial mathematics in a variety of contexts, and check the outcomes of their calculations. Student will learn how to use appropriate technology, including calculators and spreadsheets, to work with quantitative (numerical) information.

Component 2: Critical Maths

This unit is all about problem solving in real-life contexts, with a situation or a set of data to interpret, make an estimation or calculate something. Students should be able to relate to the topics in question as all represent a situation a student could come across in life outside of school or might expect to in the future.

In 2026 – 2027 students will study Core Maths in 3 lessons per week.

The assessment comprises two written papers, each of 2 hours duration. Students will receive a copy of pre-release materials in March. This allows students to become familiar with a set of scenarios and data that will be used for authentic problem-solving in some of the exam questions.

Paper 1 – 50% of total

Written paper

Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning content

Paper 2 – 50% of total

Written paper

Critical Maths content

This one-year course is ideally suited to students with a GCSE Maths grade 5 – 9 who wish to show competence in maths beyond GCSE. It is also a good option for students wanting to study more than 3 A Levels. The course ends with examinations at the end of Year 12 so students can take this alongside three full A levels which they can focus on in their final year.

This course MUST be taken alongside 3 full courses, either as a 4th or 5th option choice.

Mathematics qualifications that demonstrate competence beyond GCSE mathematics are well respected by many employers. This is an excellent subject that will facilitate many courses in higher education.

Core Mathematics combines well with a range of A Level courses including, but not limited to, Business and Economics, PE and Sport, Health and Social Care, Design and Technology, Engineering and all Science subjects.