Please can anyone recommend any books for an adult doing Maths GCSE? And is better to go for higher or foundation tier?

[pipkin35]

...never got Maths GCSE and have real problems with all things maths related.

I have looked at GCSE level secondary school books and there seem to be hundreds of different ones.

Can anyone help with books or resources, I have a huge fear/phobia of number related issues!

And I know that there are 2 teirs - A-C higher and C-D foundation but which would be better to take? Is it 'easier' to gain a C at the higher teir level rather than the foundation level IYKWIM?
Thanks

[ninah]

what exam board? edexcel 4 speed revision textbook worked for me
I went to an evening course at college and it was fab, I started off as a foundation student and it made sense for me for the first time in my life so I ended up going for the higher in the end, I think we had to decide about January time. Depends what you want it for, a C might be enough ... I needed it for teaching
take it a session at a time and don't panic. I took maths 4 times in the days when it was 'O levels' and this was my fifth go!

[ReadyToDrink]

I don't know about books, but as I understand it a C will be easier to achieve at foundation tier, because you don't get 'confused' by extra things - everything you learn will be relevant to that C instead of wasting time on the higher grades. It depends exactly what you need it for, but if you're feeling phobic about things, I'd suggest starting at the foundation tier & seeing how it goes. You can always swap to the higher tier if it's going well :)

[ninah]

there was a cd with the book that was good, too
do a practice session each week on the topic you've covered, little and often

[stardustn]

I would also recommend starting at Foundation level and seeing how it goes :)
I find that the CGP books are brilliant- they take you through things clearly and have a whole range of helpful books- revision guides, workbooks, practice papers, etc, and there's also a book that takes you through everything required for a D grade and below which could be useful to start and make sure you have all the basics before moving on to the material for a C. I'd recommend an exam-board specific one: www.cgpbooks.co.uk/pages/productList.asp?list=gcse_maths_linear_revision

Good luck :)

[cyb]

I just took my GCSE in Biology and found out what exam board I was sitting it with, and used their revision notes. there are LOTS of online tests you can do too, BBC Bitesize is broken down into separate exam boards as awell

Keep googling the bits you dont understand! And test yourself A LOT

[SophistyG]

try GetMathsFit.com
there's a part called numbers as well as lessons for all other school maths.
numbers is a greta cover of fractions, percentages, ratios etc etc and because it's done from the very beginning but nit in baby talk is great for adults wanting to either refresh or start from the beginning and find where they have a knowledge or skills gap. Short animated lessons completely on the maths gets you through a lot.
Can't believe this is the second time today I've recommended them! Will be onto them for some freebies

[TalkinPeace2]

www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/maths/
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/maths/

[TwinkleTops]

1. In general, it is easier to get a grade C in higher GCSE rather than a grade C in a GCSE foundation paper.
   

1. As you said there are loads of different books. Initially try some out from a library. If you plan to attend classes, then also get the recommened text. As mentioned above, the CGP books can be very good, but the main thing is that you find the book helps you. As we all learn differently, most people require a couple of different books - so get a pile of them from a library.
   

1. One online teaching tool is LiveMaths.co.uk it is not free but they do have lots of free samples you can see how they teach and if it may suit you.
   

1. Another online solution is www.myowntutor.org.uk. It is totally free for at least 2 weeks when you use the promo code 1023. It uses short maths video lessons but also has thousands of practise questions and real past exam papers. This service also allows you to be taught one-to-one by a real UK qualified Maths teacher, via an interactive whiteboard. It follows a syllabus, but also has a facility that gives you weekly spot tests to do so that you are contantly revising the complete sylabus, and an additional facility that allows you to choose what are you want to study. It has lessons for both the GCSE higher and foundation papers plus KS1, KS2 and KS3. You get access to all the lessons, GCSE past papers, SATS test and the one-to-one qualifed teacher support. The teachers can also advise you on things like study skills and exam technique and from the results of any of the online tests, what GCSE examination may best suitable for you.

[RudiBallOut]

I think anyone who wants a C should definitely do Higher Tier. You need around 33% in a Higher Tier paper to get a C, and around 80% in the Foundation Tier paper to get a C.

I've found loads of helpful things on www.GCSEreviseMATHS.com

They've got answers to past papers and summary notes and everything, the other sites have all been really confusing...or maybe it's just a very long time since I last did maths!!

[Startail]

DD1 also swears by CGP books.

The main thing with Maths is practice, it really is the one subject where homework pays off.

[mnistooaddictive]

I would do foundation tier - higher has trigonometry, simultaneous equations, etc etc which will confuse you. Any book is fine - choose one you like the look of!
Or you can use books online - www.cimt.plymouth.ac.uk/projects/mepres/allgcse/allgcse.htm

[Startail]

I think which tier depends on what you want the maths for.

If you simply need a C for your career or to get on a course then you might want to play safe and do the foundation.

If you want to learn maths to make yourself feel you've really overcome your fear and achieved something then you might want to do the hirer tier.

anyway trig is fun, simultaneous equations aren't.

[sashh]

Go for foundation.

Do you need GCSE or would a Level 2 numeracy qualification do?

[beachyhead]

Don't do the IGCSE course... If you want a higher rather than Foundation, look at the AQA Board.

[noblegiraffe]

Old thread! Hopefully the OP has her GCSE now :)

[beachyhead]

How does that happen???

[Trillz]

Rudi can I ask why you decided to give advice to someone who asked the question nearly 2 years ago?

[Startail]

because some of us aren't as perfect as you trillz, we don't always check.

[Trillz]

It's not about checking, more about how you came across the thread in the first place.

I can totally understand wanting advice, searching for a thread on the same topic, and posting on it without checking the date.

But how do you come across a thread like this, where you aren't looking for advice for yourself? I know people say that topics outside of AIBU are dead but they're not SO dead that you'll accidentally hit on a 2 year old thread.

[Startail]

Search is barking, I put in Ofsted.
10th post down is 2008!!!!