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Original poster

Can i pass a maths GCSE in ten weeks?

260 replies

Hullabalooo · 12/03/2019 00:20

I'm applying to do a social work Masters in September and through this process have realised that the crappy grade E in GCSE maths i got back in 1989 is not going to cut it. So to be accepted i need to retake the exam and get a C or grade 4/5 by the time I start the course this autumn 2019. Or I can't do the course.

I've only just found out. Is this possible?

I've always been rubbish at maths and the thought of this fills me with horror. Especially as simultaneously my EA ex is taking me to court to try to get custody of DC (not did any reason other than control. I'm a good mum so that's not the issue). I know the sensible thing would be to just wait a year and apply but I'm set on starting this year.

I'm sick of being self employed. I want a proper job and to earn some decent money and make a difference and I'd be really good at it. So i have to do this GCSE now.

Please give me ideas about what I can do to pass in the time available!

OP posts:
Persimmonn · 12/03/2019 00:25

Buy the gcse revision books and do loads of past papers.

GCSE maths is really easy. You just need to know how to work out an example and apply it to every question that’s asking the same thing. I think you could revise it in 10 weeks.

MyDcAreMarvel · 12/03/2019 00:26

Yes but donthe fondation paper.

MyDcAreMarvel · 12/03/2019 00:27

*but do

ElizabethMainwaring · 12/03/2019 00:28

I'm really surprised you need a maths GCSE to do an MA. I thought they'd just be interested in your degree. Anyway. I did something similar to get on a pgce. I did the egcse in biology in three months. I t was bloody hard work. It was like a full time job. The first thing you need to do is find out your nearest exam centre and book the exam. You might be able to do it at a school. You will be an independent candidate. I also did an online distance learning course with Edexcel. It was about £400. I bought a lot of text books too. Like I say, it was bloody hard work, and it took over my life for those three months.

Fishwifecalling · 12/03/2019 00:29

Do you have a basic grasp of stuff already?

MsAwesomeDragon · 12/03/2019 00:30

How good is your maths now? It's a big ask to do it in 10 weeks. Do you have a test centre who are willing to let you sit as an external candidate? If you can't find a centre then it's pointless trying to cram in 10 weeks.

If you do want to give it a go you need to get yourself started. Try a set of exam papers (make sure you get the same exam board that the test centre uses), mark them using the mark scheme and see how much work you'll need to do. Use that to decide which topics need most work.

Corbett maths is a great website where they have videos, worksheets and exam questions on each topic. So once you have a topic you want to practice, watch the video, try the exercises, try the exam style questions. Then do the next topic.

If you're going to do it you'll need time and dedication. It will be difficult, especially if you are working and have kids, which it sounds like you do. Seriously, consider taking a year to do it and postpone your course for a year.

ElizabethMainwaring · 12/03/2019 00:33

If I were you I'd get a tutor aswell. Good luck! I wouldn't want to be doing a maths GCSE, it was bad enough doing the pgce numeracy skills test. That took over my life for a while too!

Hotterthanahotthing · 12/03/2019 00:33

I did A level maths years ago.My dd is in year 11and I am lost most of the time.It is not easy and you would need longer.

ElizabethMainwaring · 12/03/2019 00:35

Like Dragon says, it does seem like a big ask. I'd ignore the pp saying that it's 'easy'.

Original poster
Hullabalooo · 12/03/2019 00:57

I've found a place that will take me as an external candidate so that bits ok..

I'm looking for a tutor and have downloaded all the gcse foundation past papers to go through.

But I've always been crap at maths so although I have an I can do this attitude I am concerned about it.

But I'm going to try.

Any tips on what I can do?

OP posts:
MimiDul · 12/03/2019 05:45

If you were near me, I would tutor you for free as what you're trying to do is admirable. I am not a maths teacher but I have successfully tutored family members and friends' children before. I'm in London.

MsTSwift · 12/03/2019 05:59

STOP thinking and saying you are “crap” at maths you aren’t and you can’t be. Dd was saying this at 8 with a good tutor she is now sitting at the back with the top group. So much of this is in the mind

ElizabethMainwaring · 12/03/2019 06:50

MsTSwift, I would have thought that whether or not you are crap at maths is very much all in the mind.
I am honestly terrible at maths. To the point that I think I may have dyscalcula. There is absolutely no way that I could do a maths GCSE in ten weeks.

Penguinpandarabbit · 12/03/2019 06:58

I think it would be challenging but worth a shot.

I think Mathletics online goes up to GCSE - its about £40 for a year and you can get a free trial. You can set it by school year and move it up to 6 times. Start off where you are comfortable and do say 1 hour per day if you have that much time free. Tutor would be good too. Get past papers as well. Good luck!

whippersnapperwrapper · 12/03/2019 06:59

The new 1-9 gcse is definitely not easy

ElizabethMainwaring · 12/03/2019 07:05

When I studied for my biology GCSE I did 4 to 6 hours a day intensive work for three months.
You've got to think that you're doing something that children have been taught and coached to do for five years by professionals. And then they have to do lots of homework and revision. I don't think an hour a day for ten weeks is going to cut it. I really wish the op the very best of luck, but GCSEs from scratch are not easy.

Original poster
Hullabalooo · 12/03/2019 07:13

Thanks @mimidul

OP posts:
Original poster
Hullabalooo · 12/03/2019 07:14

Well I'm going to have to go with positive mental attitude to start with as I need to pass it and I'm doing it so have to just look at ways to make that pass possible.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hullabalooo · 12/03/2019 07:14

So all positive suggestions gratefully received!

OP posts:
Original poster
Hullabalooo · 12/03/2019 07:15

Thanks for the tip @penguinpandarabbit

OP posts:
ElizabethMainwaring · 12/03/2019 07:24

I definitely recommend an online course. I did the Edexcel one. It really keeps you focussed and will guarantee that you cover everything that you need. It will also help you to structure your study. You have a personal tutor and lots of material (paper and online) to work through. I actually enjoyed doing mine. At the end you have two test papers to complete under self imposed test conditions. I cannot recommend it highly enough
Your situation sounds very similar to mine.

Aragog · 12/03/2019 07:27

Is there an alternative equivalent effect such as a key skills higher level. They tend to focus on every day Maths much more than the GCSE.

The pp staying gcse Maths is easy is talking nonsense. It's bit and this has been widely reported.

However if it's definitely gcse you need focus on foundation level and ideally get a tutor. How long it will take depends in your current level so it's impossible to say if 10 weeks is enough.

Everytimeref · 12/03/2019 07:28

The days of GCSE maths is easy to pass are long gone. Check whether the course will take an equivalent and look up functional maths.

mrsed1987 · 12/03/2019 07:30

If u want to earn some decent money scrap the idea of being a social worker! Lol

notapizzaeater · 12/03/2019 07:34

There's tons of guides on gcse maths - go to a book shop and look through them. Try and find a tutor, they can concentrate on some of the trickier stuff - good luck

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