How to Resit A Level Further Maths

If your A Level Further Maths results weren't what you hoped for, it's completely normal to feel disappointed. Further Maths is a tough A Level course, and sometimes things don't go to plan on exam day.

But here's the good news: you can resit. With the right approach, you can come back stronger and achieve the grade you deserve.

Many students struggle to find clear information about how Further Maths resits work. The rules can feel confusing, and knowing where to start with revision can be overwhelming when you're already feeling frustrated.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about resitting A Level Further Maths. We'll cover the practicalities, the timelines, and most importantly, the strategies that will help you improve your grade. At Save My Exams, we've helped thousands of students navigate their resits successfully, and we're here to support you too.

Key takeaways

• You can resit A Level Further Maths, but you'll need to retake all papers

• Resits are only available in May/June (no January exams)

• You can enter through your school or college, or as a private candidate

• Success depends on identifying what went wrong and revising strategically

• Universities do accept resit grades, though policies can vary

• An A* is absolutely achievable with focused preparation

Can you resit A Level Further Maths?

Yes, you absolutely can resit A Level Further Maths.

All major exam boards allow resits for Further Maths. This includes AQA (opens in a new tab), Edexcel (Pearson) (opens in a new tab), OCR (opens in a new tab), and (opens in a new tab)OCR MEI (opens in a new tab).

The process is straightforward, but there are some important rules to understand.

Under the current linear A Level system (introduced in 2017), you can't just resit individual papers that went badly. You have to retake the full qualification.

Resits are only available in the summer. There are no January sittings for A Level Further Maths, so you'll need to wait until May/June.

The good news? You get a fresh start. Your new grade will be based entirely on your resit performance, not an average of both attempts.

When can you resit A Level Further Maths?

A Level Further Maths resits take place during the May/June exam session each year.

This is the only opportunity to resit. Unlike some GCSEs, there are no November or January exam sessions for A Levels.

According to (opens in a new tab)Ofqual regulations (opens in a new tab), all A Level exams must be taken in a single exam series, and resits follow the same May/June timetable as first-time candidates.

You have two options for entering:

Through your school or college. If you're still enrolled or taking a gap year, your school should be able to enter you as a resit candidate. They'll handle the registration and you'll sit the exams at their centre.

As a private candidate. If you've left school, you can register independently through an exam centre that accepts private candidates. This is most commonly a school or college. You'll need to find a centre near you and pay the exam fees yourself (typically £100-300 depending on the exam board and number of papers).

Entry deadlines are usually in February (opens in a new tab) for the May/June session.

Don't miss these deadlines. Check with your exam centre or the exam board's website well in advance.

Do you have to resit all the papers?

Yes, you have to resit all the papers.

Under the linear A Level system, you must retake the full qualification. This applies to every exam board offering Further Maths.

Even if you did well on paper 1 but struggled with paper 3, you must sit all three papers again.

This might feel frustrating, but there's a silver lining. It means you have the chance to improve your marks across the board, not just in the papers where you underperformed.

According to government guidance on A Level reforms (opens in a new tab), modular resits were removed so that students are only assessed at the end of the course.

The good news for Further Maths specifically is that there's no coursework or NEA (non-exam assessment). Everything depends on your exam performance, which means you have complete control over your grade through revision and exam technique.

How to prepare for a Further Maths resit

The key to resit success is understanding what went wrong the first time.

Start by honestly reflecting on your first attempt. Was it exam technique? Did you run out of time? Were certain topics just too difficult? Did exam nerves get the better of you?

Be specific. Vague answers like "I just didn't revise enough" won't help you improve.

Look through your exam papers if you can. Many students request their scripts back through their school. Seeing exactly where you lost marks can be really valuable.

Once you know your weak spots, make them a priority.

Further Maths is divided into core pure maths and the optional applied modules (Mechanics, Statistics, Decision, or Further Pure). In my experience teaching the course, I find it’s really common for students to feel that they have a preference or strength in one module over the other. 

If you struggle with mechanics, dedicate extra time to these topics such as momentum and conservation of energy. If statistics was your downfall, spend extra time on probability distributions and hypothesis testing until they become second nature.

Create a revision timetable that targets your weaknesses. Don't just revise what you're already good at because it feels comfortable.

Past papers are your best friend. According to (opens in a new tab)research by the Education Endowment Foundation (opens in a new tab), testing yourself and practising retrieving information can help to aid transfer and organisation of information.

Work through every past paper you can find, under timed conditions. This builds both your mathematical skills and your exam stamina. At Save My Exams we also have exam questions organised by topic which is really helpful for targeted revision. 

Strategies to improve from your first attempt

Doing well on a Further Maths resit isn't just about working hard; it's about working smart.

Start by reading the examiner reports (opens in a new tab) for your exam board. These reports explain exactly where students lose marks and what examiners are looking for.

When I have looked through examiner reports, the common mistakes highlighted include poor algebraic manipulation, not showing full working, and misreading questions under time pressure. Learn from other students' errors.

For top grades (A or A*), you need to master problem-solving beyond routine questions. The hardest questions in Further Maths require you to combine multiple concepts to solve a problem that may seem unfamiliar.

Don't just practice straightforward questions. Seek out the trickiest multi-step problems you can find. These are the questions that separate A* students from everyone else.

Build your resilience with difficult material. If you get stuck, don't immediately look at the answer. Struggle with it for 10-15 minutes first. This is where real learning happens.

You already know the content (even if it feels rusty). Your focus should be on consolidation, exam technique, and tackling your specific weak areas.

Break your revision into focused sessions with clear goals: "master two exam questions on parametric equations" or "complete a timed mechanics paper."

Focused bursts of study with breaks are more effective than marathon sessions. For this reason many of the students I have worked with found success using the pomodoro technique. 

Balancing a resit with other plans

Many students resit during a gap year. If this is you, structure is essential.

Without school deadlines, it's easy to let revision slide. Treat your resit preparation like a part-time job. Set regular study hours and stick to them.

Consider getting a tutor or joining an online study group to maintain accountability. Independent study can be isolating, so build in some external structure.

Most universities accept resit grades, but some competitive courses or institutions have stricter policies about grades being from your first attempt. Check individual university websites or contact admissions teams directly.

Update your UCAS application to reflect your resit status. Universities will then make offers based on your resit grades rather than your first attempt.

Regarding your longer term plans, you should ask yourself honestly if it’s worth resitting Further Maths.

If you're applying for Maths, Physics, Engineering, or Computer Science, a strong Further Maths grade can make a real difference. It demonstrates advanced mathematical thinking that admissions tutors value and may help you in your further studies.

If your chosen course doesn't require Further Maths, you might want to consider whether the time investment is worthwhile. There's no shame in moving forward with your other qualifications.

Resources to help you resit A Level Further Maths

You don't have to tackle your resit alone.

Save My Exams offers comprehensive resources designed specifically for A Level Further Maths students:

• Revision notes: Clear explanations of every concept, written by experienced teachers

• Past papers: Practice real exam papers exactly as they appeared

• Exam questions by topic: For effective and targeted practice of the topics you need to focus on

Our resources are organised by exam board, so you'll always be practising the relevant material. We have past papers for AQA, Edexcel, OCR, and OCR MEI. We have revision notes, past papers, and exam questions by topic for Edexcel. 

I recommend you read our article, How to Revise for A Level Further Maths for more revision strategies.

Frequently asked questions

Do universities accept A Level resits?

Yes, most universities accept resit grades.

However, policies vary between institutions and courses. Some highly competitive courses (like medicine or mathematics at top universities) may prefer first-time grades.

According to (opens in a new tab)UCAS (opens in a new tab), you should always check individual university admissions policies or contact them directly if you're unsure.

Most universities focus on your final grade rather than how many attempts it took. They understand that sometimes circumstances or readiness affect first-time performance.

Be upfront about your resit on your UCAS application. Honesty is always the best policy.

How much can I improve my grade with a resit?

There's no fixed limit to how much you can improve.

Your improvement depends entirely on how strategically you revise and how well you address the gaps from your first attempt.

An A* is absolutely achievable if you focus on problem-solving, exam technique, and consistent practice.

Can I resit just one paper in Further Maths?

No, you cannot resit individual papers.

Under the linear A Level system, you must retake all papers for the full qualification.

This rule applies to all exam boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, and MEI).

Even if you only want to improve one paper, you'll need to sit every paper again. Your final grade will be based entirely on your resit performance across all papers.

Final thoughts

Resitting A Level Further Maths is completely possible, and hundreds of students do it successfully every year.

You'll need to sit all papers again in the May/June exam session, but this gives you a genuine chance to prove what you're capable of after an extra year of study.

Success comes down to revising strategically and targeting your weak areas. Don't just repeat what you did last time; analyse what went wrong and adjust your approach.

Remember: an A* is absolutely within reach with renewed focus and the right resources.

Further Maths is challenging, but you've already shown you can handle advanced mathematics by taking it in the first place. A resit is simply an opportunity to demonstrate your ability when it counts.

Save My Exams is here to support your journey with exam-focused resources. We've helped thousands of students achieve their target grades, and you can too.

You've got this.

Improve your grades with Save My Exams

Save My Exams is here to help you achieve the best grade possible in A Level Further Maths by offering expert-written resources specifically made for your exam board. We’ve got everything you need:

• Detailed revision notes

• Exam-style questions with student friendly worked solutions

• Past papers with mark schemes

Whether you want to improve your understanding of key topics, test your knowledge, or sharpen your exam techniques, Save My Exams makes it easier and more effective for you to revise.

Explore Our A Level Further Maths Resources

References

AQA - Exams Admin deadline dates (opens in a new tab)

UK Government - GCE qualification-level conditions and requirements (opens in a new tab)

Ofqual - AS and A level reform (opens in a new tab)

Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) - Metacognition and self-regulation (opens in a new tab)