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Original poster

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:
fashionqueen0123 · 20/08/2026 23:58

Randomsabreur · 20/08/2026 20:31

I was told at Physics A-level that a chunk of the stuff learned for GCSE was -lies- simplifications... And science is still much more knowledge and fact based than maths and languages.

I did A-level a long time ago off an A at GCSE, got an A (before A was a thing at A - Level) and was starting to run into stuff I couldn't get my head around at the end of the pure maths course. Vectors and Matrices were kicking my butt. As it was modular I just hoped they'd be smaller questions in the exam, they were and I got an A in the module (needed an E to get an A overall thanks to solid results to that point) but if the final 2 questions had been on those 2 topics I'd have topped out at a C in the module. I didn't do further maths but did do A level and somehow got a merit for context...

I found all of my A levels relatively easy (French maths physics) other than this one topic, but I definitely felt like I'd run into my maths "ceiling" on vectors and matrices.

I started maths A level (just did the AS in the end) and when we started the Stats module we were also told half the gcse stuff was lies! I couldn’t then get my head around what we were then taught. The mechanics and pure maths was even worse.

I went from an easy A at gcse to a D and dropped it! I completely agree with this warning on this thread.

Meanwhile I got an A* in a MFL and got a high B at A Level. And the poster was right about this, if you don’t understand the basics in that language which is tbh all you need for gcse then you’re going to be lost. GCSE was really not that hard if you could remember basic vocab and grammar.

Gentlework · 20/08/2026 23:50

dustabsorber · 20/08/2026 20:56

Edexcel books. I have got Kindle versions as well now. The resources are so much better these days. Geogebra for graphs. As a person with limited drawing ability, I truly appreciate Geogebra.

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Thank you so much!

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 20/08/2026 23:45

MyM8Marmite · 20/08/2026 23:41

Are external candidates included in these results? Perhaps they're home educated children who go on to study A Levels at home.

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The latest data attached is Edexcel provided data, so pupils who sat Edexcel maths GCSE and Edexcel maths A-level Edexcel is by far the most popular exam board for both GCSE and A-level maths, so it would capture the vast majority of students. This would include any external candidates.

Still not sure what was going on in 2017!

Yearly warning about taking A-level maths with a 6 at GCSE
OP posts:
MyM8Marmite · 20/08/2026 23:41

noblegiraffe · 20/08/2026 10:16

I mean, I really hope there aren't Foundation kids being entered for A-level!

It's not just about being a late bloomer, it's about not having covered the content that you need to even be able to start the A-level course.

The A-level course starts with a quick recap of surds, completing the square, algebraic fractions, straight line geometry. Higher kids will have seen all this before, grade 9 kids will already be able to do it well. A Foundation kid would be lost!

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Are external candidates included in these results? Perhaps they're home educated children who go on to study A Levels at home.

rachrose8 · 20/08/2026 23:21

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/

This is a more recent conversion table. Maths teacher of 30’years. Please don’t do Maths with a 6.

Yearly warning about taking A-level maths with a 6 at GCSE
Moonlightdust · 20/08/2026 22:43

Yup I don’t advise it. My son got a 6 in Maths (one of his lowest grades as most were 8s & 7s) Despite this he thought it would further his career & even sought advice from Head of Maths who said if he put the work in, it was achievable. However, even with the help of a private Tutor he only got an E. He also took Physics which he passed but proved brutal (despite getting an 8 at GCSE) but was happy with his Geography grade which was a high B.

DrFaustina · 20/08/2026 22:26

NuffSaidSam · 20/08/2026 20:57

I did Psychology many years ago! Loved it!

Ok, so we've got History and Psychology.

Any other suggestions for good A-Level subjects for those with 6/7 GCSE grades?

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In my school you could do any A level with those grades. And you'd do well.

English lang is easier than lit (I teach both). Stylistics can be difficult, but the other bits are easy. Lit requires more independent thought.

dustabsorber · 20/08/2026 22:20

I am having some repairs done to my roof. Frankly, based on what I am being charged for 3 days work, I would encourage your DC to become roofers.

jobnotsure · 20/08/2026 22:13

noblegiraffe · 20/08/2026 22:07

Why aren't the school listening to their maths teachers and changing the entry requirements? Excellent question, this has been a massive battle going on for many years.

And the answer is 'bums on seats'. We get funding for each pupil at sixth form and we are massively in competition with a local college. If we require a 7 for maths, they might go elsewhere. If we accept them with a 6, then it's up to the maths dept (not the people who set entry requirements) to bust a gut to try to get them a grade, putting on unpaid intervention sessions, and to have the difficult conversations with parents when it all goes to shit. "Other subjects can deal with students with a 6 so why not maths?" - The table in the OP shows that it's not a problem specific to my maths dept, however.

And if they decide to come to our sixth form with a 6 and flunk out really quickly, they will probably stay at the sixth form and switch to another subject so we still get their money.

We, as a department are not allowed to tell them the likelihood of them failing if they start on a 6 (so it's definitely not them fulfilling our prophecy), so I post about it on MN instead.

One thing you are ignoring about 'a B being sufficient 30 years ago' is the massive grade inflation that took place in GCSEs in the late 90s early 2000s. When we say that a 6 is equivalent to an old B, we mean a 2016 B. A 2016 B is not equivalent to a 2005 B. And it is definitely not a 1996 B.

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All of your points are excellent here and support my argument that the system is crap. It’s not fair on teachers, students or parents IMHO and on that note I am now finally bowing out! 😂

francy99 · 20/08/2026 22:10

My DS got a grade 7 in his GCSE maths. He took his maths A-Level and he really struggled. We ended up getting him a private tutor. He did manage to get a grade C in his A Level. He said the jump from GCSE to A Level was massive. My work colleague who has a degree in Maths said he found the jump from maths GSCE to A level seemed a lot harder then A level to degree!!

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 20/08/2026 22:07

jobnotsure · 20/08/2026 21:39

Now you're kind of supporting my point here about there being a problem with the system. If we are telling young people that they can progress on to maths A level with a 6 (which many schools do) - why are teachers (usually the maths teachers) saying no you can't? Why is your school not listening to you and changing the entry requirements - does the exam board say that a grade 7 and above is necessary? If not, why?

Again this bring us back to my earlier point that 30 years ago you could have accessed A level maths with a B grade and I don't know anyone who would have said you couldn't do it...If an A grade is need to do the A level now something has gone wrong in my opinion.

We seem to be going round in circles and I respect that this thread was all started with the best intentions but as I said it's so sad that the system is now like this. I will now bow out now, good night all.

Edited
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Why aren't the school listening to their maths teachers and changing the entry requirements? Excellent question, this has been a massive battle going on for many years.

And the answer is 'bums on seats'. We get funding for each pupil at sixth form and we are massively in competition with a local college. If we require a 7 for maths, they might go elsewhere. If we accept them with a 6, then it's up to the maths dept (not the people who set entry requirements) to bust a gut to try to get them a grade, putting on unpaid intervention sessions, and to have the difficult conversations with parents when it all goes to shit. "Other subjects can deal with students with a 6 so why not maths?" - The table in the OP shows that it's not a problem specific to my maths dept, however.

And if they decide to come to our sixth form with a 6 and flunk out really quickly, they will probably stay at the sixth form and switch to another subject so we still get their money.

We, as a department are not allowed to tell them the likelihood of them failing if they start on a 6 (so it's definitely not them fulfilling our prophecy), so I post about it on MN instead.

One thing you are ignoring about 'a B being sufficient 30 years ago' is the massive grade inflation that took place in GCSEs in the late 90s early 2000s. When we say that a 6 is equivalent to an old B, we mean a 2016 B. A 2016 B is not equivalent to a 2005 B. And it is definitely not a 1996 B.

OP posts:
Carryitjoyfully · 20/08/2026 22:06

Thank you for this. No longer holding any relevance to me but I still like to see it!

Hercisback · 20/08/2026 22:04

jobnotsure · 20/08/2026 21:54

Not in my school or the other local schools or colleges in my area... don't know where you work private? Grammar?

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Bog standard state school. Science is worded as "grade 6 or above is essential, grade 7 or above is desirable".

I've googled a few local sixth forms and they're all similar, saying a 6 is the minimum for maths and sciences, but that a 7 is better. The nearest grammar you have to have an 8 for maths and sciences.

Minasama · 20/08/2026 22:02

dustabsorber · 20/08/2026 21:48

Swot or what

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I got 7 As and 2 Bs in the late 80s - then only ACC at A level (part of one of the courses that we’d spent a term on wasn’t actually on the syllabus I subsequently found out!)

dustabsorber · 20/08/2026 21:56

iolaus · 20/08/2026 21:48

I remember back when I did A level maths they wouldn't let you if you hadnt got an A at GCSE - saying the gap between GCSE and A level was fa higher than A level and degree

100 per cent agree. Year one of A level and I think still is so much of a jump up from O level/GCSE

clary · 20/08/2026 21:55

If we are telling young people that they can progress on to maths A level with a 6 (which many schools do) - why are teachers (usually the maths teachers) saying no you can't? Why is your school not listening to you and changing the entry requirements - does the exam board say that a grade 7 and above is necessary? If not, why?

I know you are bowing out @jobnotsure but just on this; teachers are advising students of the reality of A level maths for most with a 6 at GCSE.

My school is no longer my school as I said; but when I was there we learned that even a very keen student should not take A level with a C.

The exam boards don't specify and rightly so IMO; there may be circs (as I have said) where an individual will do better than their GCSE grade suggests, and a teacher knows this. Also for some it may be fine to do a challenging course and know that they will most likely get D or below. But I think they need to know this upfront – as then they may change their minds.

imagiantwitch · 20/08/2026 21:54

100% agree with the OP, my eldest DC achieved a 7 at GCSE maths, and a D at Maths A Level. We learnt the hard way! A level maths is a different beast.

jobnotsure · 20/08/2026 21:54

Hercisback · 20/08/2026 21:50

Students are warned off Science with 6 or lower ime. Where are you that they aren't?!

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Not in my school or the other local schools or colleges in my area... don't know where you work private? Grammar?

SinuousTendrils · 20/08/2026 21:52

Dd got an 8 in maths and 6 in FM gcse (with little work for maths) and is flying at A Level with both. Obviously not shoddy but now on track for both A stars due to an amazing teacher.

Hercisback · 20/08/2026 21:50

jobnotsure · 20/08/2026 21:47

The same for science. You will see that many do science A levels only knowing 50% of the curriculum and they aren't being warned off if they want to do it with a 6....that's why it sucks...and science is cumulative and builds on previous knowledge in a similar way. Anyway I said I was bowing out - now I really am. Good night all.

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Students are warned off Science with 6 or lower ime. Where are you that they aren't?!

iolaus · 20/08/2026 21:48

I remember back when I did A level maths they wouldn't let you if you hadnt got an A at GCSE - saying the gap between GCSE and A level was fa higher than A level and degree

dustabsorber · 20/08/2026 21:48

Jaimelefromage · 20/08/2026 21:47

I’m reading all of this with interest. I got 4As and 6Bs at GCSE, then 3 As at A-level (pre A ⭐ s). 2 of my A levels were in subjects I got Bs in at GCSE. This was 20 years ago, has course content and structure changed that much since then?

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Swot or what

jobnotsure · 20/08/2026 21:47

Hercisback · 20/08/2026 21:30

Why does it suck? It makes perfect sense that if you only know 50% of the GCSE curriculum (to get a 6) then you won't be successful at A level.

Psychology is a subject with a different nature. Few students study it at GCSE and the science content is built upon, but that isn't the whole psychology A level curriculum. You start learning quite a lot of psychology from scratch, relying on little existing knowledge. Wheras maths is cumulative and builds heavily on prior knowledge, and there's too many gaps to fill.

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The same for science. You will see that many do science A levels only knowing 50% of the curriculum and they aren't being warned off if they want to do it with a 6....that's why it sucks...and science is cumulative and builds on previous knowledge in a similar way. Anyway I said I was bowing out - now I really am. Good night all.

Jaimelefromage · 20/08/2026 21:47

NuffSaidSam · 20/08/2026 20:35

This is a really interesting thread.

What subjects would we suggest for a student who got 6/7's at GCSE?

I think we've ruled out Maths, all Sciences, all MFL's and English Language.

History should be fine.

What else? Or is it a case that A-levels in general are not the right choice for students 'only' getting 6/7's at GCSE?

I’m reading all of this with interest. I got 4As and 6Bs at GCSE, then 3 As at A-level (pre A ⭐ s). 2 of my A levels were in subjects I got Bs in at GCSE. This was 20 years ago, has course content and structure changed that much since then?

Phineyj · 20/08/2026 21:46

NuffSaidSam · 20/08/2026 20:35

This is a really interesting thread.

What subjects would we suggest for a student who got 6/7's at GCSE?

I think we've ruled out Maths, all Sciences, all MFL's and English Language.

History should be fine.

What else? Or is it a case that A-levels in general are not the right choice for students 'only' getting 6/7's at GCSE?

You'd probably do ok at Economics if it interested you. People think the A-level has "maths" in but it's numeracy, and fairly simple numeracy at that. While you couldn't really go on to really competitive single honours Economics courses without the Maths A-level, you'd still have lots of good university options and some Economics degrees these days have got a "without Maths A-level" track anyway.