The Free Standing Maths Qualification (FSMQ) is an enrichment qualification for students that are targeting a high grade in IGCSE Mathematics.

It stretches students with stimulating questions on IGCSE Maths content plus some additional material (such as logarithms and integration) that they will meet at A level.

What benefits does the FSMQ have?

The FSMQ encourages a love of maths, enabling students to show their confidence in the subject beyond the IGCSE.

As well as giving students a whole extra qualification,  the FSMQ can also help to boost students’ IGCSE Maths confidence. The FSMQ is just a single exam paper, so it doesn’t require multiple assessments in the summer on top of those that they will already be sitting.

And finally, as it’s a Level 3 qualification, students can also gain UCAS points.

How does the content fit alongside IGCSE Maths?

The FSMQ builds on the skills, knowledge and understanding acquired during IGCSE Maths lessons. Its content consists of an algebra section that underpins that qualification, four sections of ‘pure’ mathematics (each containing an ‘applied’ dimension) and two numerical sections.

How does the content fit with other qualifications?

The FSMQ will give students an introduction to some topics that appear in A level Mathematics, so will benefit students considering going on to do the A level.

The FSMQ will also support the progression of students across a range of other A levels. For example, logarithms are used in chemistry for pH measurement, in geography for windspeed and earthquakes measurements, and in biology for population models.