Has anyone re-sat a GCSE?

[BroomHandledMouser]

I’ve been offered an opportunity to study in a field that I have had an interest in since I can remember.

I’m 38 and I didn’t do very well in my GCSE’s, even though I tried my hardest I have a bit of an issue retaining information - I guess I struggle with teaching myself as I don’t know where to start. It all gets jumbled up in my head…

One of the things I’ve been asked to look at is retaking GCSE biology. I’ve seen quite a few online courses which are registered with edexcel/AQA etc.

Has anyone re-taken a GCSE? I feel like I’m already talking myself out of it…even if I do well on this and get to the position I want to be in I’d be sponsored on an apprenticeship to complete a degree…me?…doing a degree?…I actually don’t think I’m brainy enough.

Im not looking for sympathy, I’m really not. I haven’t learnt since 16 and I’ve just bumbled along in life. What if I just can’t do it?

I’ve taught igcse biology (the course you would need as an external candidate). A strong pass requires 50% in the exam. My feeling from experience with the syllabus and exam papers is that almost all adults (excepting learning differences/difficulties), would be able to get this mark. The fact that you are considering career progression and resitting makes me think you can definitely do it.

Double check if there’s any particular reason “gcse” biology has been suggested. So far as I know this can’t be taken as an external candidate as there are practical sign offs by the exam centre. Whereas igcse is absolutely its equivalent (and used in many independent schools) plus can easily be taken by external candidates.

You will need to be systematic and methodical. It sounds like you would need to devise a system before hand so you have something to follow. I can give some suggestions re remembering if helpful.

The online courses are basically paper based or screen based courses with some marking. The advantage is that they tell you what to study and when, but they can be dull and over prescriptive do look at samples before paying ££. The disadvantage from what you have said about yourself, is that they can be long winded and therefore harder for the student to group the facts in their brain.

Depending on how you learn best the other options are:

Self study with the CGP revision guide (I’m not exaggerating, this is 85 pages of learning only) and past papers, make your own revision topic cards as you go to get the topics clear in your mind. This is a very straightforward book, info is in chunks and will help avoid muddling.

Self study with a nice text book (their style varies so check what suits you better) and past papers, make revision cards as you go.

These 2 can be supplemented with a series of about 80 x free mini videos on YouTube (Mr Exham), also Oak Academy if you want more video explanations.

Purchase an affordable prerecorded video course (eg South West Science School) which includes a timetable and homework with mark schemes.

I did a gcse with an online distance learning company (and found a separate local exam centre - That would be harder for science subjects but London has a few ones)

Then it's just following the online company guide, probably adding revision text books and trying past papers. Tutors should be available locally for exam prep.

Cost me around £500 for course plus exam plus extra textbooks (but I really wanted top marks and did tons of extra reading -then did a second degree in that subject then masters do actually it cost me £30k.)

I did my maths and English gcses when I was 40. It's very different doing it as an adult!

OP - when I was 27 I decided to do a PGCE. I had an English degree but no maths O Level ( I had Chemistry and that meant the Uni accepted me). I needed GCSE maths to get on the PGCE course so went to evening classes at a local college. It was two hours, two nights per week and but I got my GCSE maths and have been teaching for 28 years. Go for it.

Thanks so much all, @HairyKitty I would love any tips and suggestions thank you!!