If you’re in high school, you may have heard of Advanced Maths, Additional Mathematics or a similar subject. Here’s everything you need to know about these programmes, what their benefits are and whether or not they’re right for you.
What is it?
Advanced or Additional Mathematics are a group of additional maths classes and examinations that aim to develop your maths skills above and beyond the standard high school syllabus.
There are multiple Advanced Maths courses and programmes, the most well-known being Additional Mathematics (AdMaths) and Advanced Programme Mathematics (AddMaths/AP Maths).
What does it count toward?
Since 2008, Advanced Programme Mathematics and Alpha Maths have been considered “additional subjects”, but they don’t appear on your matric certificate. Once you’ve completed these subjects, you get a separate certificate for them.
Many schools place your AdMaths on your school report, but it won’t influence your overall average. However, there are schools that treat AdMaths as a departmental extra subject on your school report.
In addition to the certificate you’ll receive, the benefits of these programmes are seen in the long-term. They can improve your chances of university acceptance, and they prepare you more for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) courses at university.
Is it free?
Whether a maths course or programme is free or not it depends on which programme you’re going for, and which school you attend. Some schools offer AP Mathematics for free, however, companies such as Advantage Learn offer AP Maths courses online and in-person for a fee.
The main fees to consider if you’d like to do an Additional or Advanced Maths course would be registration fees and textbooks, as well as internet or data costs for e-mail correspondence and online courses.
Is it for you?
Doing any additional mathematics course can be rewarding, but it’s also a considerable amount of extra work you’ll need to do over and above the rest of your studies. You’ll need to dedicate more time to studying and attending classes than your classmates. This hard work pays off in the long run, but it’s important to be aware of it going in. Taking up extra mathematics works for you if you’re organised, disciplined and are aiming to enter a field at university where being strong at Mathematics is significant.
Getting started
If you’d like to take an Additional Mathematics class, the first thing you should do is speak to your Mathematics teacher, or the head educator in that department. They should help you assess your options and point you in the right direction. To learn more about AP Maths, [visit this website](https://advantagelearn.com/addmaths/ and for information on AdMaths, click this link.
If you have a passion for Math and are up for the challenge, then taking up one of these additional classes can benefit you in many ways. Remember to research and make use of the resources available to you, in order to make the best decision for yourself. Good luck!
