Retake Maths GCSE

[Babyrooboo]

I am looking for advice on options for my DS (16). He did not get the grade he needed in his maths GCSE to take the A-levels he wants. As I understand it, he can retake the exam next summer but I am worried about how he will cope with a year out of full time education. Does anyone have any experience of repeating a GCSE (or two) and ideas of how he might make the best use of the year?

Yes I did it, but I did my other A levels at the same time that didn't require it then study the other A level later. What are the subjects?

He can retake in November. Much easier if he stays at the same school.

What grade did he get?
What grade does he need?
Have you spoken to the school?

most would let him start and take it in November

Did he get below a 4? Or just not high enough to be accepted for the A level? A retake in English or Maths if below a 4 is free but others may not be. Can he review his options?

Is he set on taking A-levels that need GCSE maths pass? It might be easier to take A-levels that don't need maths and take maths in November at his current school.

Thanks all. He got a 5 but actually wants to take maths at A Level. After many years of saying that he dislikes maths and is bad at it, he suddenly decided that he loves it. He put in quite a bit of work in the last few months, but I suspect that it was too little too late. I don't know if he has the ability to study it at A Level, but it feels important to support him in his dreams. I think that he will study more and resit in a year. If he still loves it then we can consider delaying university while he takes the A Level.

To study maths at A-level he really needs a 7 or higher. Going up at least two grades in a year would realistically need proper teaching rather than e.g. a tutor once a week.

Did he sit foundation or higher? What is it that he now loves about maths? If it's not algebra, then he might need a rethink.

What is he going to do the rest of the time? He's supposed to be in education or training. This could have impact on child benefit.

He is going to go ahead with other A Levels while studing for the Maths GCSE on the side. I was thinking of getting a tutor to help keep him on track. I was hoping to give him the opportunity to explore his love of maths more but perhaps doing the A Level will not be realistic. He will have a greater sense of that himself once he gives it a go.

If he loves Maths but isn't a genius at it has he thought about Accountancy?

I got an O level B, so would recommend resitting to cover GCSE in more depth whilst he has the time. I took BTEC Business and Finance, not A levels. Then a training contract for 4 years to qualify as an ACA.

Ahhh, I see he has dreams. Doubt that's accountancy 😆

What are they?

What are the other A levels?
Might he do better with a core maths qualification?

I’m sorry but if he only got a 5 even with tutor support he should not attempt a level. The difficulty steps up a lot.

Does your school offer Core Maths? It was a perfect course for my son who likes maths but isn't A-level maths material. It's a level 3 course so if your school won't allow him to take it this year then they might allow him to study it in year 13.

Another one suggesting core maths. My DC loves maths but not good enough for the step up to A level. Core maths keeps lots of maths options for later on.

Hi OP, you might want to ask MNHQ to move this to one of the education boards,as this is a quiet corner used by working academic staff, lecturers etc.