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Yearly warning about taking A-level maths with a 6 at GCSE

259 replies

noblegiraffe · 20/08/2026 08:54

GCSE results day and therefore A-level sign-up day.

So with that in mind I just thought I'd post the table of conversions from GCSE to A-level results for maths to show that there is a strong correlation. This is because A-level Maths basically starts with a quick review of grade 8/9 GCSE algebra content and then gets more difficult. Students starting with a 7 will have to work very hard to keep up, students with a 6 often flounder.

There are sixth forms and colleges that will accept students with a 6 onto A-level maths, but from many years of experience, this is not a good experience for the student. Many will drop out and switch courses early on (and therefore not appear in the results table I've posted), but some will struggle on for 2 years and then come out with a grade that really doesn't help them with university applications.

If you take A-level maths with a 6, even if you manage to complete the course (and a lot won't), about three quarters will get a D or below, with E the most common grade.

If your child is considering maths with a grade 7 but will be applying for extremely competitive uni courses, consider whether they actually need it as A*s and As from a 7 are not likely. Obviously, anything is possible, check how far they were off an 8, ask their teacher for advice, but please don't assume that an (old) A at GCSE translates to an A at A-level.

This data is from 2019, there's more recent data but not in as clear a format, and the message is basically the same.

If your child is keen to do maths, but gets a 6, please consider Core Maths instead, which is designed to be taken alongside 3 A-levels and provides supportive maths content for A-level sciences and social sciences (e.g. psychology, geography).

If your child is going to do A-level maths (particularly if they are on a 7 but also 8/9), check that they have done summer bridging work so they hit the ground running in September.

If they haven't been set any bridging work - don't assume that's ok! There are some resources here to help https://alevelmathsrevision.com/bridging-the-gap/

Yearly warning about taking A-level maths with a 6 at GCSE
OP posts:
AlantheDog · 20/08/2026 09:04

noblegiraffe · 20/08/2026 09:00

My guess is that no college would set its entry criteria to a 5 so if you were allowed on the course with a 5 there would have to have been some special circumstances that meant that didn't reflect your actual ability, like some sort of illness in Y11.

Ok, that makes sense!

noblegiraffe · 20/08/2026 09:03

shellyleppard · 20/08/2026 09:00

The GCSE conversion grades are from 2017 and 2019..... surely they will have changed by now?

Not by enough to make taking A-level maths with a 6 a good idea!

The GCSE and the A-level haven't changed in that time.

OP posts:
AlantheDog · 20/08/2026 09:02

PandaPanda9 · 20/08/2026 09:00

You wouldn’t. 2.1% of grade 5 got an A star compared to 44.6% of grade 9

Yes, I can read the table.

2.1 percent of those who achieved a 5 at GCSE got an A*, compared to 0.5 percent of those who got a 6 , and 1 percent of those who got a 7.

noblegiraffe · 20/08/2026 09:00

AlantheDog · 20/08/2026 08:57

Why would you be more likely to get an A star - or an A for that matter - from a 5? That's odd!

Edited

My guess is that no college would set its entry criteria to a 5 so if you were allowed on the course with a 5 there would have to have been some special circumstances that meant that didn't reflect your actual ability, like some sort of illness in Y11.

OP posts:
AlantheDog · 20/08/2026 09:00

ChalkOutlines · 20/08/2026 08:59

You’re not.

Why does it say that you are in the table, then?

PandaPanda9 · 20/08/2026 09:00

AlantheDog · 20/08/2026 08:57

Why would you be more likely to get an A star - or an A for that matter - from a 5? That's odd!

Edited

You wouldn’t. 2.1% of grade 5 got an A star compared to 44.6% of grade 9

shellyleppard · 20/08/2026 09:00

The GCSE conversion grades are from 2017 and 2019..... surely they will have changed by now?

ChalkOutlines · 20/08/2026 08:59

AlantheDog · 20/08/2026 08:57

Why would you be more likely to get an A star - or an A for that matter - from a 5? That's odd!

Edited

You’re not.

AlantheDog · 20/08/2026 08:57

Why would you be more likely to get an A star - or an A for that matter - from a 5? That's odd!