Redoing my maths GCSE 32 years later…..

[Goneanddonedit]

So, after yet again not getting a job because Ido not have a C in maths (I am 49 and had many professional jobs but this counts for nothing apparently) I have decided I will have to retake my maths GCSE.

I know I can do it free, but I don’t want to do it over a year, I’d like to do it from home and ideally as quickly as possible.
I really, really struggled with maths, but now you can find help over the internet and I think I would find it a lot easier than I did at 16.

Has anyone done it and can anyone guide me in the direction of a decent online learning course? I know I will need to sit the exam in an exam centre, but I really need to start from scratch after all these years!

Rael, I admire your attitude to maths but I certainly do not see it as awesome at all.

I see it as a pointless shackle around my ankle as a useful to my every day life as learning about rock formations.

Maths for my level, needs to be changed to be about every day living. I chat to colleagues in the maths dept and when mortgages come up or even investing... I surprise myself because sometimes I seem to have more knowledge in these areas than they do, particularly with investing which is usually not understood at all.

I'm in these situation the one with the workable life skills and saving £ on my mortgage and growing my ££ with my savvy investments but I'm the one without gcse maths.

It is more indicative of the way you were taught though Lemon and bad negative experiences. . A lot of our lessons with adult learners is trying to build the confidence and get them to enjoy themselves.
The perception that it's a right/wrong subject - and that you're a maths person or not is quite damaging.
If you can do the practical everyday financial mortgage maths you can do the foundation paper - it's just a case of exam skills.

Don't worry about the different exam boards to start with, the syllabus is the same, just the style of questions can differ a bit. If in doubt go with Edexcel as that's what many places use (though DD's school uses Edexcel for Higher tier and OCR for foundation).

If you buy a GCSE revision guide for foundation tier you can see all the topics nicely laid out in front of you. You'll probably find there is a lot there you can do, plus some topics you have never heard of.

I do think it is a big ask to sit it this November though.

I would recommend Corbett Maths- he has great, very clear and short videos on each topic, then some practice questions and then exam style questions.

I would also give some thought to which entry tier you do. You need something like 60/70% to get a 4 at the foundation tier but something like 40% on the higher papers.

There are lots of online resources that show you videos and step by step explanations and instructions in how to tackle different maths problems in different topic areas

People telling you to just try some exam papers are not being realistic. I have an A
level in maths ( though not a good grade) and a science degree but from 30 years ago and I would have not been able to even attempt most of the questions on DSs GCSE exam.papers without the resources provided . For.me.the videos DS had on mathswatch were really useful.and clear. . I'm a bit of a nerd and decided I wanted to remember how to do some of the stuff he was learning so just did them for fun

I actually enjoy the feeling of getting past the frustration of not understanding or rembering how to do it and love love love, the feeling when it all clicks into place . The problem is that It does take me a.long time to get there as I have no aptitude for maths at all so I often don't make the effort.

I personally prefer online resources that you through step by step to books but that is my personal preference..

I would definitely employ a tutor to help you prepare and to help with explanations if you get stuck ( which happens.to me.ALOT in maths)

Also, have a look at Jack Brown’s videos on TL Maths. He’s a legend for A level but also has a whole set of GCSE foundation videos, from scratch. A good starting place. Don’t worry that it says Old Spec - the new spec is slightly harder but it’s no bad thing to start from an easier point. You can add on the extras you need once you have this. It’ll be fine for all exam boards.

Playlist here

I did this so I say go for it! I achieved a 7 after getting a U for O Level and an F on retake in the 80s. I agree with the previous poster who suggested starting with KS2 or 3 study guides and BBC Bitesize. Corbett Maths (there is also a Corbett Maths Primary for KS2) and Maths Genie were also great. I know you want to take it quickly but don’t underestimate the breadth of the course. Maths skills are building blocks so, for example, you will need to understand algebra before doing stuff like equations of a straight line. A class at college will get you access to resources like Mathswatch which has excellent videos as well as someone to ask if you just don’t get it. The most important bit is that you can do it! Passing my gcse has completely changed my mindset about maths after decades of believing I was rubbish at it. Good luck!

I am leaning towards an online course with bite size etc to reinforce the learning.
I would ideally do it in time for exams next year, I’m not unrealistic, I know it’s going to be a huge struggle for me.

I think a lot of it was how we were taught back then. You could do it or you couldn’t and that was it, I ended up in the lowest set and no one really gave a damn.
Sad thing is there was a period of time when there was a teacher who really helped me and I shot right up to top set, but she left and I just regressed and then it was all just books and more books.
I do have a problem with maths, i am not autistic or dyslexic, I’m just very good with English and words and not good with numbers!

I do lie on application forms and it’s never been an issue, but this place actually wants certificates which is bloody ridiculous at my age tbh

Where abouts are you op? I'm assessing and enrolling new students this week - north east. I bloody love my job - lots of my students have been held back at work because of not having their maths.

Then they send me pics of them graduating as nurses, teachers etc. It's not all rosy and not everyone passes but I do my absolute best to help them to!

@Workyticket

Where abouts are you op? I'm assessing and enrolling new students this week - north east. I bloody love my job - lots of my students have been held back at work because of not having their maths.

Then they send me pics of them graduating as nurses, teachers etc. It's not all rosy and not everyone passes but I do my absolute best to help them to!

I’m in Herts, so far away!!