Can i pass a maths GCSE in ten weeks?

[Hullabalooo]

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!

Thanks @sashh I've got a functional skills assessment in early September for this purpose..i think i would rather do this actually as i can't face all the trigonometry that was in my exam paper again. Ill see what they say.

Thank you @justRichmal ! That's a really upbeat message and really appreciated.

What i realise is that although I'll never be really strong in maths that this process despite being exhausting has really removed the phobia of maths that I've been carrying for the past 35 years and will also really help me support DC at school so there are some real positives to the whole experience.

Thanks @imip its good to know I'm not the only one having to redo it! Top be honest there were a fair few older people doing other exams at the school i sat at including a 50 something ambulance driver doing human biology.

That's an idea @HugoSpritz I've got an assessment for functional skills on 5th so maybe i can wing it that way.

So wish I'd not had such a rubbish result back in 1989!

Hi, I recognised the thread title from earlier. Sorry that the result wasn’t what you wanted, but based on your achievement in the short space of time I’m sure that with a bit more time you can get the level you need for next year. What’s equally important is that you have conquered your maths phobia, which means that you’ve equipped yourself to tackle maths and this will also be positive for your children as otherwise you might project your fear onto them. My DF had not too good maths but he somehow managed to improve for his job early on, so he could really help me when I found things difficult at school. Now he is training people who have to do functional skills if they don’t have GCSE, so while he doesn’t teach maths as such while he is teaching them what they are there to learn he introduces them to practical maths in real life job situations. It’s so common to go through maths issues and have the fear! I’d recommend having a look at the National Numeracy Challenge website if you want to pick up some learning tips.

Very well done @Hullabalooo, you might not have quite got the grade but what you have already achieved in 10 weeks is amazing.

You may find the following websites good to use for revision when you have another crack at it:

Seneca
Khan academy
I’ve also seen students use Quizlet but not necessarily in Maths.

My husband thinks he is going to have to do maths GCSE- he took his Eng Lang last year.

Thanks for these tips and for the cheerleading. Its been a nuts crazy time but I've been so blown away by all the friends and maths enthusiasts who've been willing to help me crack this. I'll definitely get there for 2020!

I'm retaking igcse maths in January and then as a belt and braces approach, am doing a separate maths gcse (Edexcel) one eve a week at a local college.

Interestingly at the evening class there are 20 women my age all doing the same thing. No men. Wonder why!

Good luck. Let us know how you get on.

I'm a very late arrival to this post but came across it during my late night search for solidarity and solace! I am re-sitting my Maths GCSE in 4 weeks after scoring an abysmal F 20 years ago and needing a C to get onto a Nursing degree course. I only signed up and paid for the exam 3 weeks ago and dont have a private tutor. My maths base was beyond rubbish (didn't even know my Times Tables ad verbatim) or what the prime/squared and cubed numbers were. The internet is an absolute treasure trove of information though. I'm studying like crazy every single day, and managing to absorb a lot more than I could in my school days, despite having a visceral hatred and inexplicable fear of the subject for my entire life. I am not confident of passing, but I have gambled on doing the higher tier because the threshold for a C (4) is only around 20%! I am aiming for a 5 if I pull out all the stops and have a REALLY good day at the office. Keep your fingers crossed for me, ladies.