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!

Good for you and hope it goes well with the tutor! And I agree about getting registered for the exam ASAP - you can do it later but the cost goes up!

Also, just in case this helps anyone else reading, there is an entry level 3 for maths but that's below the Level 1 and Level 2 functional skills exams. It's very basic.

I totally disagree that Maths GCSE is easy. I've looked at it recently because ds1 is sitting his.

I think it's hard, very hard. and the syllabus is extensive.
Glad you've looked for a tutor. Your'll need one, it will help with exam technique too, as well as guiding you through all the topics.

i agree that GCSE maths is hard - they have brought in topics from A level and the questions are phrased in a more complex way than they used to be. DS1 did it last summer and had to work hard to get a good grade.

The advice on here is a bit shocking!

There absolutely is a L3 functional maths and its equivalent to an old A-C maths GCSE. L2 functional maths is equivalent to a D/E.

Functional maths is not an alternative for kids who find GCSEs too hard. It's designed to complement other courses - e.g. apprenticeships - where some degree of functional math skill will be needed to do the job I.e. it's not about theorems etc but useful applicable knowledge. Often courses only require you to achieved this level by the time you complete the course, not on entry. Worth checking that OP as it might buy you time.

I can't find the qualification you describe. There is a level 3 maths qualification offered by AQA but isn't that the core maths certificate? It's available to students who already have GCSE maths at grade 4 or above and want to continue studying maths e.g. alongside social sciences. That's more than the OP actually needs for the course.

i agree that GCSE maths is hard - they have brought in topics from A level and the questions are phrased in a more complex way than they used to be. DS1 did it last summer and had to work hard to get a good grade.

They are using A level topics, but a student only needs to understand these fully to get to very top grades.

It is possible to pass GCSE maths without knowing these topics.

Wasn't there a poster last year whose DS decided to take a Maths A level in a ridiculously short space of time?

He did it and passed, too!

10 weeks should be plenty. I did 10 GCSEs in two years that's 78 weeks of school so just under 8 weeks a piece.

I took GCSE maths higher last year and it was hard. Two terms of evening classes a week after full time work). I dropped out of school at 15 and missed my O levels, but I was in the higher groups at school and predicted a good grade. It is hard and I couldn’t have done it in 10 weeks. (Not sure about foundation though)

Derelictwreck There is not a level 3 functional skills maths qualification Entry level 1-3 (below GCSE level), level 1 and level 2.

See UCAS

"Level 2 is at the same level of the RQF as GCSE grade C or above (existing GCSE qualifications) or Level 4 or above (reformed GCSE qualifications). Whilst the level of the qualification is the same as that of a GCSE, the breadth of content is narrower."

Mumunderthemoon, if you don't mind me asking, why did you do ten GCSEs in 2 years? That sounds incredibly hard! How did you do it? I did biology GCSE in three months, and that was hard enough.

Again to mum, how many hours did you study for each one? For my biology GCSE I reckon I studied for approximately 300 hours over three months.

FallenMadonna yep - we have had many students get on to some uni courses with level 2 functional skills in English and/or Maths as alternatives to GCSE, especially if they are mature students. I teach in FE at FS level, GCSE and on Access to HE, which is also a Level 3 course.
Functional skills and Level 3 are different concepts.

Most school kids do 8/9/10 GCSEs in 2 years!

Admittedly their brains are at peak ability and they have not much else to do at the same time :)

What did the tutor say OP? I really reckon you could do this as long as you have a reasonable understanding of maths already.

Calpop, kids are being taught full time by highly trained professionals. They are not fitting it in while working full time and looking after kids. I repeat highly trained professionals. I despair, I really do.

wtf do you "despair"? I assumedd that is what mum meant!

She was saying if schoolkids can do 10 in 2 years an adult should be able to do 1 in 10 weeks with a tutor, like OP is hoping to. Do you really think I dont kbow how school works? Keep your negative, defeatist despair to yourself.

Study the GCSE not functional skills as many Higher Education courses do not accept functional skills. Also make the decision now and book the centre. The nearer it gets to the exam the more expensive it will be as the centre will be paying a late entry fee. Good luck.

madona is right - I was wittering about L3 when I meant L2 functional maths in order to do a L3 qual. How ironic give my dismissing the other advice

Registering on Friday which is the final deadline!

Met a tutor this evening. She thinks if I do two hours off study/ revision a day for the next nine weeks I could probably pull it off.

Thanks for caring everyone! I'm really trying to remain positive although I'm completely bricking it.

Need to buy the books tomo and graph paper and what not and start planning.

Think will need to rope my folks in to help with child care!

The cpg online maths buster courses are good. You can get a interactive revision plus videos of someone teaching the different topics. Alternatively Mr Corbett maths does free online videos and worksheets

Thanks @pluginwall

You need to turn yourself into a YETI monster!
Add ‘yet’ to “I can’t do this...” and you’ll be more positive
Rachel Riley posted this on Twitter last year.