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Original poster

New Maths GCSE is properly hard isn't it?

82 replies

Somerville · 11/04/2018 21:40

I've seen this discussed, but I only just clicked how much harder it is. DD is revising, and has been given a maths past paper to do, but no answer booklet. So she asked me to mark it.

I have maths A level, but struggled a bit Blush

Differentiation, 3-d trig, factorising quadratic equations??! I'm sure I didn't do any of that at GCSE (in mid 90's). Is A level harder too?

OP posts:
Original poster
Somerville · 11/04/2018 21:58

I was really quite shocked by it. DD is good at maths and hasn't been struggling, so I've been focusing on helping her with other subjects. Just as well she didn't need my help, because it's too hard for me to be able to help her much. Hmm

Massive kudos and thank you to all you maths teachers who have been teaching this new curriculum, at short notice Flowers

OP posts:
LineysRunn · 11/04/2018 21:55

I remember all that being part of Maths O Level (London board) in the mid to late 70s, and you needed it all for an A grade.

jazzmin · 11/04/2018 21:52

One of the gcse maths papers last year had something like 18percent to get a grade 4. The paper has to stretch up to grade 9 level. I’ve told my daughter not to get disheartened if she can’t understand some of the questions. It’s still quite an unknown this year with the new grades...

Rachie1986 · 11/04/2018 21:48

I think I did solving quadratics and 3D trig 15yrs ago..

Differentiation is new to GCSE. As is functions, and set theory.

Yes it is harder (maths teacher here)

Hobnobsarenotfordunking · 11/04/2018 21:47

I’m a maths teacher and yep it’s hard!

Original poster
Somerville · 11/04/2018 21:45

A tutor for me, so I can mark her past papers in future? Wink

OP posts:
KendalMintCakey · 11/04/2018 21:42

I'd recommend a decent tutor. I did none of the above on NEAB Maths in 98 and passed with a B. Not that I pushed my 16 yr old self lol x Differentiation not killer.