Yearly warning not to take A-level maths with less than a 7 at GCSE

I'm not accusing you.. I said how something came across to me. Let it go, it's really not a big deal.

You're not helping yourself by accusing me of something I never wrote and then not apologising for it

There you go again being unnecessarily unpleasant. I'm sorry you feel you have do that.

Well you've got poor comprehension skills then.

Well it did to me. You can say that as much as you like, but that is how it came across to me.. You can't tell other people how words come across to them. And you're not helping yourself by being unpleasant.

It did not read like that. You just got your knickers in a twist about something I never said or implied.

@noblegiraffe I think you're absolutely right and as other posters have said A levels should be challenging. I just think it's disappointing that the A level in Maths, from I can see is too challenging that it results in young people who have very good grades at GCSE not attaining a pass at A level. Again, the fact that young people can spend two years doing a course and walk away with nothing is a fault of the system - the AS and A level system with all it's faults in the 2000s was much better in my opinion.

I’m similar - got the only A* in my school year at Spanish and they still didn’t want me for A level. 😂 Apparently you can learn Spanish like it is maths - focussing on learning the patterns and logic - and do very well at GCSE but that won’t work at A level. Got As in Maths, F Maths and Physics A levels and then an maths degree instead so it all worked out for the best. 😉

It also goes the other way.
I managed (somehow, not quite sure how) an A in GCSE MFL. There is absolutely no way I'd have been a suitable candidate for Alevel MFL. GCSE was achieved on vocabulary drilling and intuitive answering. I have minimal skill in languages, and attempting an alevel would have been painful for all involved!
I also got A* in Phys, Chemistry &Maths. And they translated into As at Alevel (when that was the highest grade awarded). (And the A in Bio lead to a B at Alevel).
I'd say there is also a degree of desire and interest in the subject that leads to success at higher levels.

for me A levels worked. My brother would have thrived in IB or A level. I would love IB to ve more widely available for those with strengths in a range of areas. But Alevels are fabulous for those with very narrow strengths and/or interests.

I translate grades too. I put my letter grades into numbers when talking to my dc, then I convert the dc number grades into letters when I tell my sister what they got on results day. Then I tell my mum what they got in letters, then the cse's and o level equivalent. Then I tell my grandad that they passed their school certificate!

I actually think it is a good thing that A levels are challenging and rigourous. And interesting and relevant (which A level MFL is IMO). They can only be that if we accept that only students who reach a certain level in the subject are wise to attempt them.

We have heard a lot in recent years about grade inflation – are people really saying they think A levels should be easier? A level is a respected qualification which is valued by universities and employers.

Obviously A levels are not for everyone – and I think that’s OK as there are other qualifications or routes that are more suitable.

@Pythag I'd rather not share the years but you're welcome to pm me.
In fact, I think I'll ask for my posts to be removed as I'm obviously too outing.

My son got an 8 for GCSE in 2024 (no extra time) time and is really struggling with A Level maths. I think we will have to find a tutor.

Thanks. It still really depends upon which year you took your GCSE maths in, for the conversion If you got for example a grade B in 1990, that would be equivalent to a grade 7/8 now, given the grade inflation that was rampant in the 90s and 00s.

However, A stars in A/levels only came in in the year 2010. Did you actually get an A star in further maths? Which year? Or did you Google for that one too? Was it the new specification or the old one?

@Pythag gosh I have shared too much on Mumsnet! Must name change soon!
Fair enough, I got a B in maths GCSE, I just called it a 6 as that was what being discussed on this thread and when I googled what a B is nowadays it said 6.

@Hellodarknessmyoldfrien how can you have been a teacher for ‘many many years’ if you got a numbered GCSE grade?

It kind of read like that to me but I accept you didn't intend it.

No I have not said or implied that a 7 is a mediocre grade.

Out of interest, which year did you do your GCSE maths in?

The first year of the new grades was 2017. You have had an impressive turnaround in 8 years, to get a*s in maths and further maths a-level, then do an undergraduate at Oxford and a post-graduate at Cambridge and then become a primary school teacher, get married, then become a lecturer in maths!

To get an a in further maths A-level you have to be very good at maths. The students I teach who are on track for a grade a at a-level further maths all got a grade 9 at GCSE, with a couple of exceptions who got high grade 8s.

I am basically astonished that someone got a grade 6 at GCSE maths and an A* at further maths a-level. Grade 6 at GCSE maths is somewhat weak and suggests you could not access the more tricky algebra parts of the GCSE…

But it is surely reasonable to point out when statistics indicate likelihood of success is low, and that hard work will be required to beat the statistics

Yes, but when does this feed into expectations of the young people concerned by the teachers and parents... I'm sure most teachers have heard of the Pygmalion effect.

But it is surely reasonable to point out when statistics indicate likelihood of success is low, and that hard work will be required to beat the statistics?

It may not help to tell some young people they're not capable of hard things.
But it also doesn't help them to let them go blindly onto courses that are likely to be too challenging with a high chance of getting an E/U.

@clary yes I do think that about maths too.

@Hollyhedge yes the IB is a wonderful course having taught on this I would suggest this is much more favourable to A levels, as they currently are. Students being able to opt for SL or HL IS great.

@Mumofteenandtween I just don't think you should tell young people that they're not capable of hard things. People have to chart their own course.