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Original poster

To think not getting a C is maths gcse is affecting my career 30 years later

97 replies

Mathsismynemesis · 14/12/2025 17:15

I've been asked by my boss if I'd consider going for a senior role that's coming up in thr new year. It's a role I'd considered when it came up in the past, but the timing was never quite right.

I'm wondering if now is my time. However, I don't have a C in maths gcse, and although I have 20 years experience in the industry, a degree, can do the arithmetic required in my role, and could probably do the job with training and guidance, I wonder if this would mean the job would never be offered to me. I've been told in the past it's a prerequisite, but not sure if they're so black and white about the process these days.

I can't let on as my current leadership team are not aware. I'm not sure they'd even care. I've proven myself in the role I'm currently in. But the recruitment of the senior role would be done by head office.

I won't have time to do a functional maths course before the application has to be in.

Do I just go for it and hope they don't worry about it, but risk that they do and it becomes a big deal? Or do I just leave it?

Does anyone have experience of not having a C in maths but climbing the career ladder anyway?

OP posts:
InfoSecInTheCity · 14/12/2025 18:30

I’m a senior Director in a big global organisation. No uni education and can’t remember the last time anyone asked about GCSEs. It’s all based on skills and experience once you get past about 5 years working history.

Magpiecomplex · 14/12/2025 18:38

In education it's an absolute prerequisite to have, and be able to prove, passes in English and maths GCSEs. I have a science PhD (done in the UK and written in English) but still have to prove my As in English and maths at GCSE. I took my certificates out of my Record of Achievement though, when I realised the print was lifting off the paper and sticking to the folders!

LeonMccogh · 14/12/2025 18:47

How do they navigate this for people who didn’t go to secondary school in the UK?

crazycrofter · 14/12/2025 18:51

Marble10 · 14/12/2025 18:05

Had this conversation with a colleague the other day, how do you even go about proving your GCSE grades? I don’t have any certificates, and not aware if there is anywhere you can get copies?

Dh enquired about this a few years back; he wanted to do some supply teaching and the agency wanted to see his GCSE certificates, which he’s lost! Fortunately a different agency were happy to accept just his degree certificate and PGCE (which he had to get copies of).

He got in touch with his old secondary school and they were able to tell him what exam boards they used in 1989 for each subject ! Next step would have been to contact the exam boards. Not sure what you’d do if your school had closed though?

Summersongroses · 14/12/2025 18:56

This year at the age of 49, I sat my GCSE maths foundation and got a pass - 5 (C in old money as they say). I only got a D when I was younger and it has bothered me for years so decided just to do a night class. Enjoyed getting it a lot - and now I’ve got that maths GCSE banked for the future if I ever need it. Plus it’s free to do at most colleges so probably won’t even cost you anything to do. If it’s something that’s bothering you, maybe just have a go and try and get it!

Squishedpassenger · 14/12/2025 18:58

TappaMcFeety · 14/12/2025 17:28

It depends. I worked for a professional
body whose HR department were absolutely pedantic about requiring GCSE certificates regardless of age, experience or seniority.

Same in my field.

chunkyBoo · 14/12/2025 19:01

Do they actually ask or even check? I can’t remember most of my GCSE work these days so it’s a moot point, I have a degree and PhD so think these actually Trump GCSEs, usually you expect the candidate has c or above in maths and English but you must have perhaps done a different qualification or they didn’t check?

CatHairEveryWhereNow · 14/12/2025 19:06

I don't see you lose anything by trying.

If they insist you do need it - gives you a chance to get it or equilent before applying next time.

Some workplaces are insistant others not so much - can't see it affecting your current role as you've been doing it well enough and have never lied about having it - so only downside is maybe you don't get job this time and will know you have to get it before another opportunity comes up - best case they don't care at all.

If you don't apply though you're suck not knowing if it's needed and you definitely won't get the new role.

AprilinPortugal · 14/12/2025 19:17

Doyouthinktheyknow · 14/12/2025 17:37

I got a D in maths. It’s not held me back, I did my nursing in the days before you had to have maths and have been qualified 25 years next year. I can do the maths needed in my everyday life and career, just haven’t bothered to re-sit the exam!

I don’t even put GCSE’s on applications, just my nursing qualifications.

I think the insistence on maths is great for today’s kids but applying that to people who left school 30+ years ago when no one much cared is ludicrous.

I say go for the job and good luck.

When I applied for my nursing course as a mature student in my 40s you were supposed to have English Maths and a science subject at GCSE. I was old enough to have done O levels and knew I hadn't passed Maths but didn't have the certificates. I asked my school for a letter stating my O levels, and they sent me a letter which said I'd passed Maths at a C grade! It was obviously a mistake but I didn't say anything.we had to sit English and Maths tests as part of the nursing course interview anyway and I passed! It never held me back...with nursing you have a formula and as long as you apply it, you can't go wrong. As part of the course we had to pass drug calculation tests at 100% or we could not progress, which I did. I do often think if not for that mistake by my school, I may not have got on the course.

x2boys · 14/12/2025 19:32

AprilinPortugal · 14/12/2025 19:17

When I applied for my nursing course as a mature student in my 40s you were supposed to have English Maths and a science subject at GCSE. I was old enough to have done O levels and knew I hadn't passed Maths but didn't have the certificates. I asked my school for a letter stating my O levels, and they sent me a letter which said I'd passed Maths at a C grade! It was obviously a mistake but I didn't say anything.we had to sit English and Maths tests as part of the nursing course interview anyway and I passed! It never held me back...with nursing you have a formula and as long as you apply it, you can't go wrong. As part of the course we had to pass drug calculation tests at 100% or we could not progress, which I did. I do often think if not for that mistake by my school, I may not have got on the course.

Show quote history

When was that.?because when I did my nurse training back in the early 90,s they accepted a science as I didn't pass my maths , mind you at the time those students who didn't have the relevant qualifications could also sit the DC test ( which i think was an IQ test ) and if they passed they could get on nursing courses.

HowDoYouSolveAProblemLikeMyRear · 14/12/2025 19:40

You're definitely right not to consider lying.

I wouldn't bring up the subject. If they ask, you could offer to complete functional maths within a specified time frame as a condition of having the position.

Doyouthinktheyknow · 14/12/2025 20:37

AprilinPortugal · 14/12/2025 19:17

When I applied for my nursing course as a mature student in my 40s you were supposed to have English Maths and a science subject at GCSE. I was old enough to have done O levels and knew I hadn't passed Maths but didn't have the certificates. I asked my school for a letter stating my O levels, and they sent me a letter which said I'd passed Maths at a C grade! It was obviously a mistake but I didn't say anything.we had to sit English and Maths tests as part of the nursing course interview anyway and I passed! It never held me back...with nursing you have a formula and as long as you apply it, you can't go wrong. As part of the course we had to pass drug calculation tests at 100% or we could not progress, which I did. I do often think if not for that mistake by my school, I may not have got on the course.

Show quote history

That’s amazing, glad you were able to do it! Like another poster, I got in with science instead of maths gcse, obviously would never get away with that now!

I also passed my numeracy test we did as part of the course and have never had an issue with calculations.

I have thought about going back and doing it just because but life always gets in the way! Ironically my dses are both very into maths, both got 9’s at gcse and ds1 has an engineering degree from Oxford😳

patchlang · 14/12/2025 20:42

I got a very poor mark in my GCSE maths and initially it didn't effect my career as I went on to get a first at Uni and a Masters. However when computerised screening came in for most applications I found that if I put my accurate math grade on my application I'd not even reach interview stage but if I was screened by a human I would almost always get an interview and even a job offer. Lots of companies seem to get so many applications these days that they use a very fixed criteria to whittle down applications before a human sets eyes on them and often your basic math grades will be one of them. Even many low skilled jobs will ask for a C or above GCSE math.

Negroany · 14/12/2025 20:42

I mean, I'm C suite level HR and failed nearly all my O levels, got four in the end but have nine U's of which one is maths. No A levels. So it's not held me back, it's never been mentioned.

I did a law degree in my forties though.

But, if your firm says it's a pre requisite, then it is. Just ask them about it.

PigeonsandSquirrels · 14/12/2025 20:45

I don’t think it would no. Not with 20 years experience and a degree.

Tootingbec · 14/12/2025 20:46

Under no circumstances should you not apply because of not having a grade c in maths from 30+ years ago!

No idea what your career is in, but in my field of work (professional services) no one is even interested in your degree once you have 10 years+ experience. It would be laughable to put even your A Level results on a cv or application - let alone GCSES!!

If you know they will ask for individual GCSE results even at your level of experience (🙄) don’t lie obviously but also don’t draw attention to it by blathering on about doing some sort of maths proficiency test.

If any of the hiring managers are in anyway bothered or even notice that you don’t have a C or above then I would be questioning their competence to be honest!

Xkk · 14/12/2025 20:49

Mathsismynemesis · 14/12/2025 17:15

I've been asked by my boss if I'd consider going for a senior role that's coming up in thr new year. It's a role I'd considered when it came up in the past, but the timing was never quite right.

I'm wondering if now is my time. However, I don't have a C in maths gcse, and although I have 20 years experience in the industry, a degree, can do the arithmetic required in my role, and could probably do the job with training and guidance, I wonder if this would mean the job would never be offered to me. I've been told in the past it's a prerequisite, but not sure if they're so black and white about the process these days.

I can't let on as my current leadership team are not aware. I'm not sure they'd even care. I've proven myself in the role I'm currently in. But the recruitment of the senior role would be done by head office.

I won't have time to do a functional maths course before the application has to be in.

Do I just go for it and hope they don't worry about it, but risk that they do and it becomes a big deal? Or do I just leave it?

Does anyone have experience of not having a C in maths but climbing the career ladder anyway?

You knew you flanked your maths GCSEs. Should have been aware that this might come up at some point, you had 20 years to sign up and pass a functional skills. You are unreasonable to wait until the last minute when you are backed in a corner. I passed my maths in a different country so while I was working in a warehouse jobs i went for maths and English as it wasn't my plan to stay in a warehouse job. My father always said when you have an opportunity to take a course take it. If you don't have it create it. Don't wait until you buy a car to have a driving licence, don't wait until you are offered a job to have a degree.

Whyherewego · 14/12/2025 20:50

Does it say C in GCSE or does it say "or equivalent"? Our roles generally say degree level or equivalent experience as an example. I think if it's really specific then you can't get away with it unfortunately. Mad though

Tumbleweed101 · 14/12/2025 20:56

Even though I had a C in maths gcse I still had to do functional skills as part of my L3 childcare course! Apparently they were out of date 🙄 (did GCSEs mid 90’s)

ByeByeDrinker · 14/12/2025 21:48

RainbowBagels · 14/12/2025 17:38

Am I the only person who still has their gcse certificates in that red Record of achievement folder?! Im 52! I also have my National Insurance card

Show quote history

I also have both! I dont have a GCSE maths though, and just leave it off the application form. Also left school 30 years ago, and it hasnt held me back.

Maddy70 · 14/12/2025 22:01

Just don't tell them unless they ask and even then ab internal promotion is not going to ask for your qualifications. Blag it

Talkingfrog · 14/12/2025 22:03

Fallshealing · 14/12/2025 17:42

I never understand the need for gcses when older folk are applying for jobs because even if someone did get an a - c grade 30 years ago it doesn't mean they remember that subject much at all. So much has changed in the past few decades (how many can really understand their dc's homework in maths for example) so any employer relying on certificates 30 years ago over years of proven experience is nuts imo.

I agree with this. I got a B in GCSE maths in 1990. Considered doing it for a level but changed my mind.

Dd is year 10. When I look at the maths they do now, even lower down in high school I get confused. They teach things very differently.

I saw one of the maths tests she did recently ( higher tier) - I wouldn't have known where to start with most of it.

BillieWiper · 14/12/2025 22:05

I can't imagine many employers seeking out a C in maths GCSE from a candidate with over 20 years experience and success in a relevant or adjacent field to the job required.

notnorman · 14/12/2025 22:14

Teaching jobs need to see all the certificates in my experience 🙄

Echobelly · 14/12/2025 22:17

After my first job I never mentioned my GCSEs on a job application and have never been asked since