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The Mathematics eAssessment is aimed at the majority of students, and gives students a broad grounding in all aspects of Mathematics. It is considered equivalent to a Higher GCSE in Mathematics. Study at this level supports further study in the IB at AISL or AASL or even AAHL if students are scoring a top grade.
At Europa we split the year into 4 classes: Standard; Standard Plus; Extended 2 and Extended 1.
We decide which students will be in each group at the end of S3, based on performance in the end of year test and also the professional judgement of their S3 teacher. The underlying philosophy is that we will place students in the group where we believe they will make the most progress, develop the best understanding and achieve the best results. Groupings are reviewed after all formal assessments and also regularly throughout the year, and students might move between groups if we feel it is in their best interests.
The Extended 1 group study the entire Extended Mathematics course and will sit the Extended Mathematics eAssessment. Usually they will also study some enrichment topics from beyond the syllabus.
The Extended 2 group study the entire Extended Mathematics course. Some of the students will sit the Extended Mathematics eAssessment, but many will sit the Mathematics eAssessment. This decision will be made in conjunction with their teacher in October of S5, in order to provide them the best opportunities for further study.
The Standard Plus group will sit the Mathematics eAssessment, but they will study some of the extra content from the Extended Mathematics course to give them a better grounding should they wish to pursue more mathematical subjects later. This extra content will be assessed internally, but not in the eAssessment.
The Standard group will focus on the content only in the Mathematics eAssessment, in order to best prepare them for this. This is usually a smaller group where the teacher can provide more focused support to those who really need it.
When deciding between the Extended Mathematics and Mathematics eAssessment entry, we prioritize what best serves each student's confidence and future academic profile. Some considerations that come in to play in these decisions are:
Grade Boundaries & Global Competition: The Extended Mathematics eAssessment is sat globally by high-achieving mathematics students. Consequently, its grade boundaries are significantly higher than the Mathematics eAssessment (for example, achieving a Grade 7 often requires ~90% in Extended, compared to ~75% in Standard).
Quality of Grade over Course Title: A top mark (Grade 6 or 7) in Mathematics carries far more weight on future applications than a lower grade in Extended Mathematics. We generally recommend the Extended Mathematics eAssessment only for students who we believe will score at least 75%.
Content Encountered: Students in an Extended class who opt to take the Mathematics eAssessment continue to receive teaching in the extended topics. This ensures they gain higher-level mathematical knowledge while sitting the exam that best secures a strong official result.
Challenge and Ambition: With all this being said, those students in the Extended 1 group are expected to take the Extended Mathematics eAssessment as this is the ambitious and challenging exam designed for students of their mathematical calibre. If a student has remained in the Extended 1 course throughout, then they will be entered to sit the Extended Mathematics eAssessment.
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