Statistics

Statistics is about making decisions when there is uncertainty. Perhaps one of the most versatile areas of maths, it gives students the skills to collect, analyse, interpret and present data.

It complements subjects such as GCSE Biology, Psychology, Geography, Business and Economics, and opens the door to a variety of careers.

Course Content

• Understand the importance of the careful planning of a clear strategy for collecting, recording and processing data in order to address an identified question or hypothesis.

• Recognise the opportunities, constraints and implications for subsequent mathematical analysis involved in obtaining appropriate data through careful design of primary data collection techniques or through the use of reference sources for secondary data to ensure unbiased research.

• Generate data visualisation and understand the mathematics required to derive these visualisations.

• Calculate statistical measures to compare data.

• Use visualisation and calculation to interpret results with reference to the context of the problem, and to evaluate the validity and reliability of statistical findings

The course is 100% examination.

The GCSE is made up of 2 papers. Each paper lasts 1h 45 mins. Calculators are allowed for both exams.

Each paper makes up 50% of the final GCSE grade. The grades are 1 – 9.

GCSE statistics has a foundation tier (Grades 1 - 5) and a Higher Tier (Grades 4 - 9).

Students have to take both papers at the same tier. The mathematical demand tends to increase as the students progress through the paper.

Problem solving, thinking skills, independent work, analytical work, decision making, discussion work, group work, working through examples.

Essential Equipment

A scientific calculator, pencil, ruler, pair of compasses, protractor and rubber. We sell exam packs with all necessary equipment (excluding calculators) for £1.25.

Transferable skills that help with many jobs that you can learn by studying maths include analysis, creativity, initiative, logic, reasoning, independent working and resilience.

Statistics can open doors to the following examples of careers:

Weather forecasting

Biological Sciences

Clinicalresearch

Data analysis

Market researcher

Financial analyst

Cost estimator

Business analyst

Database administrator

Economist

Software engineer