Essentially the five compulsory units in Pure Mathematics are assessed by a 3 hour examination at the end of the course. The end of unit tests as they are called, are taken at a convenient time of the schools choosing during the course, normally as soon as the unit is completed. Students are not allowed to retake unit tests - the scheme is not a modular one where this would be possible. These short term goals have proved very motivating for students and have been a very effective way of encouraging students to stay with the course - as a consequence the drop out rate has been reduced dramatically. The assessment structure and the short term goals have certainly raised performance and improved grades achieved.
Students appear to enjoy the course - it is very popular.
It is fair to say that the course offers hard working students a fair chance of some success and is consequently able to offer rewards commensurate with ability such as the conventional A level Mathematics often was not - especially for the weaker student. Teachers talk highly of the course and assessment structure and of the variety of support material available to them. For myself I can certainly vouch for its success. These students are likely to benefit in their further studies or fields of employment - possible many will even consider going on to read mathematics at university.