A revision guide to pure mathematics at intermediate level

Abstract

The main aim of this revision guide is to help students in their preparation for the pure mathematics at intermediate level examination that the MATSEC Board organises on behalf of the University of Malta. Wanting this guide primarily to support students as they enter the final phase of their studies before they sit for this examination, we embarked on this project with the clear intent of not wanting to write a textbook. In line with this rationale, this guide does not include the theoretical material that textbook authors normally include in their work in order to explain pertinent content knowledge to students and possibly their teachers. Instead, relying on our long teaching experience of pure mathematics at both advanced and intermediate levels, we worked towards creating a revision guide that students can use on their own as they focus on and sharpen their preparation for examination success. Getting a good grade, or even a pass, in pure mathematics at intermediate level can open the door for students to undergraduate studies at university. This achievement, in fact, apart from contributing towards the acquisition of the Matriculation Certificate issued by MATSEC that serves as the main entry qualification to the University of Malta, is one of the special course requirements to some undergraduate programmes. Knowing that some courses require students to obtain at least a grade C in pure mathematics at intermediate level, we designed this guide to maximise students’ chances of performing well in the MATSEC pure mathematics at intermediate level examination. Our desire is not only to help students make it to university, but also to make it more possible for them to join the undergraduate course of their choice.