Overview

Our Setting Out In Problem Solving course is designed specifically for Year 12 students eager to enhance their problem-solving skills. The course will also explore the range of university admissions tests required for some universities to study maths or a related subject. 

The course comprises of a single 90-minute online session with some follow-up materials and is open to all students of state-funded schools/colleges.

Aims

• Provide support in developing an approach to mathematical problem solving when tackling unfamiliar questions
• Introduce the range of university admissions tests, outline some differences between them, and give information on which are needed for different courses
• Explore and answer some questions, including from various admissions tests, and outline what transferable strategies can be taken from them

Who will benefit from attending?

The course is suitable for any A level Mathematics student with an enquiring mind who wishes to begin to develop their problem solving ability at A level and beyond. It is particularly suitable for Year 12 students  who are interested in finding out about admissions test as part of a university offer.

Materials and equipment

The course is held online. You will need access to a computer with an internet connection. You will not need to use a webcam or a microphone to engage with the course, but you should have some paper, a pencil, and a quiet area to work in.

Other information

Eligibility

This course is specifically for year 12 students studying AS or A Level Mathematics at state-funded schools, colleges and academies in the United Kingdom.

Please note that the single ‘Setting Out in Problem Solving’ online session is repeated over multiple evenings, but each session is identical, so you only need to apply for the one you wish to attend. There are limited places available, so please do not delay applying if you would like to attend this course.

How to apply

Students attending a school or college in the UK should click the apply button on this page, and register for an MEI account using their current school/college address and their pupil email address. Applications made using personal details will not be eligible.

We also welcome applications from home educated students, if you are home educated please email [email protected] before submitting an application to request an MEI account. When emailing, students should state they intend to apply for Setting out in Problem Solving and include their home address and email.

Participant feedback

[my favourite aspect was] the fact that you can participate and try problems. Also, how they inform you about opportunities.

It has been insightful to see how to approach problem solving tasks, as I am often someone who can get stuck very early on in a similar question and not know how to progress.

I thought it was very helpful, I liked the various sources of support they gave and more generalised tips for problem solving as opposed to exclusively going through specific questions.

I've just started Year 12 and was not fully aware of the significance of these admissions tests, so it was very illuminating to see what lies ahead :)

The solutions to the questions were enjoyable because I realised that the questions are not really that hard.

Key facts

• Reference:#14266
• Audience:Students
• Target year:Year 12, Year 13
• Curriculum focus:University admissions tests
• Mathematical focus:Problem solving
• Event format:Online
• Duration:2 hours
• Region:National
• Venue:Online - Zoom
• Start date:10 Jul 2025
• Course times:17:30 - 19:00
• Fee:Free