Question about GCSEs as a mature student

[Booksandpens]

I'm thinking about taking Maths and English as a mature student, but would I be ok with just books or do I need to enrol on a course?
Which books would you recommend? I haven't done any Maths or English for over a decade, so I don't even know what level I might be.
Thanks in advance.

I would see what is on offer at your local Further Education College. Most will offer GCSE Maths and English for mature students.

Thanks, I had a look but I'm not sure if I can attend the lessons.

You would need to enter the exam via a centre. Some FE colleges may operate online learning or drop in sessions and are free to those without level 2 English and/or Maths. Bbc bitesize may help you assess your starting point.

I think it is possible to look up the exam board, get an accompanying workbook/s, work through them and check out potential exam board centres to sit the exam. Y ou may have to pay a fee. Some of the textbooks are very self explainatory and BBC bitesize etc provide a lot of help. I wouldn't spend money doing a whole correspondence course. Although it is easier to sit exams that way.

I homeschooled for a while and looked into the option of doing exams privately for a bit.

So go to say - the edexcel website, check out their recommend texts, and get details of where you can sit the exam. They often have past papers available and you can phone them for advice although it may not be great.

Could you download a foundation paper and try doing it? That would give you an idea of how much you can remember. (And if you ace that, try a Higher paper).

Personally I think the English would be well nigh impossible without teaching.

No Higher and Foundation in English any more, TTT

Sorry I was totally unclear.

My first paragraph was referring to maths, where the OP might be able to get an idea of where they are by doing a paper.

My second paragraph was referring to English where I think it is hard for a layperson to judge how well they have done even by looking at the mark scheme.

Ah, I see what you mean now TTT

I agree with you that the English mark scheme is difficult to interpret unless you are a specialist and even if you are it's not easy.

The skills tested the Gove curriculum are very specific and I think the OP will need assistance with them.

Thanks everyone! I think the local college do Edexcel, but not sure they do external candidates.

I also think I'll need tuition for English, but I think they offer 2 different ones and I don't know which one is needed or if they are interchangeable for work opportunities.