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!

Any tips on using a scientific calculator? I can't make head nor tail of it!

@saltysea2001 I'm just sending you a pm now

Hello Hullabaloo. Hope you're ok. I'm really not being nasty at all, but I really think that you need more time to do this. Apply for your social work MA to start 2020, it's only one more year.

I absolutely think anybody can do anything if they put their mind to it. You are clearly a bright person and have the determination, just aim for foundation and do a bit each day - you will doubt yourself at times but remember that even if you find some areas tough, they will likely only attract a few marks. Keep practising and keep working at it, I can tell from your posts that you are going to pass - good luck.

Rooting for you OP. I’m sitting the functional skills level 2 maths in April. I’ve been revising for months, completed quite a few past papers and still don’t fancy my chances! But I’m 50 and my brain has slowed down a lot!
Oh and I have a Nursing degree but that counts for nothing these days apparently if you don’t have a maths certificate!

It isn't impossible to say whether you are going to pass in 10 weeks without seeing your performance in a recent assessment.

There is a vast amount of content to cover even in 30 weeks of 3 hour lessons.
Having said that I do know of a learner of never timirning up to a single lesson and she scraped a pass.

I say concentrate on the things you are good at and try not to cram the more difficult topics. You only need 52-55% ish to pass.

The trick is always to have lots of practise so that you spot the kinds of questions so know how to tackle changes.

Sorry that's meant to be "It's impossible" .

Thanks all. Had first session with tutor last night and we covered a fair bit of square roots, factor trees, rational numbers and what not and am going to spend week on that and then start on algebra next week.

Thanks @elizabethmainwaring I'm booked and paid for the exam and tutor so just going to go for it. If I don't make the grade I can resit and defer my masters for another year although I really really don't want to. But that's a possibility if needed.

However I have to try. Positive thinking and hard work can be really fruitful when applied well. And I always think faint heart never won fair lady.

Plus @saltysea2001 has been a great help so feel like I am supported if tired!

Got my maths GCSE at age 36 because I needed it for my degree course. Having achieved an E and then an F at school I also, like you, had a negative mindset towards maths and thought I was crap at it. I was also determined to do it so I could go on to study and came out with a B grade!

I've applied to the Step Up to Social Work programme and waiting to see if I get on that.

Good luck, you can do it!

Thanks!

I'm glad it's going well so far.
I have recently upgraded my 40yo calculator to one like DD's so I understand how hers works.

With the 'new' calculators you seem to just put in everything in order.
They have a fractions mode and decimals and you can press a button that switches between them.

I think you now may have to do basic trig for Foundation, so these days you press SIN then type the angle 60 then an = sign and it will tell you the answer. (In the past you did 60 then SIN).

tbh You are best off just getting your tutor to spend 5 minutes showing you what you need, which isn't much.

Main thing with algebra is they are like old fashioned weighing scales - you have to keep them level. Whatever you do to one side you need to do to the other.

You probably have stuff from your tutor, but I thought the cop maths book with relates exam
Practice questions looked good - focused way to chrcknif you have understood when time is short and not expensive. And it identifies which are level 4/5 vs 8/9 questions - make sure you look at the grade boundaries for your board and be cunning about how much you have to cover. If you ar eonly after a pas mark you don’t have to chase every point

Are you doing the Higher Tier or Foundation? For the Higher, in November 2018 you would have scored a Level 4 with only 15%.

mathsbot.com/gcse/boundaries

Hello Hullabalooo. How's it going? Hope you are on track.

Hello OP, I did a degree in maths and would be more than happy to help if you ever find yourself stuck at any point! Just @ me in this thread and I'll pop by ASAP.

Hi Hullabalooo. How's it going? Hope all's well.

Hello all, just to update and rope in any last minute help!

I've got my first foundation iGcse on Tuesday morning. I haven't had time to complete the whole syllabus but I've given it a bloody good shot and have made huge inroads in the course with help from a tutor, some of you lovely lot and mates with maths know how.

So I'm doing past papers all day today. Any tips on last minute suggestions would be really helpful. My brain hurts so I probably can't learn anything new so maybe more about consolidating what I have learnt.

Any ideas for revision cards I can make to use between now and Tues (working tomorrow) that will help me remember formulae or diagrams would be great.

Positive words only please!

My biggest tip would be to stop revision 24hrs before you start the test. Get some rest, go for a walk or whatever works for you.

Some sort of special treat and a good nights sleep the night before the exam will stand you and your brain in good stead.

Leave yourself plenty of time to get to the exam. Remember to breathe out anytime you start to feel anxious about anything.

All the best.

I pretty much agree with finally. The best thing to do now is past papers so you’re on to a winner there. Gets good night’s sleep before the exam. Last minute cramming won’t help.

It sounds like you’ve worked hard do really good luck for Tuesday.

Thanks gang. Really appreciate the support. It's crazy but I might just do it. Got to try!

Good luck! I'm certain you can do it!

Have you looked at www.onmaths.com/

Lots of past papers, you can select foundation or higher and your exam board. Good luck

Good luck op.

However I must say that personally I disagree with stopping revising. By all means make sure you get a good night’s sleep but I have done extremely well in exams by utilising my short term memory to retain lots of information. So personally I prefer to go over and over all the key pieces of info (in this case for example formulas) right up until I am about to walk Into the exam. Far easier to retain information for an hour than several days.

Also if you haven’t done eg whole syllabus I would suggest maybe have a watch of a few videos online for those you haven’t covered so you have an idea what is going on. Even if you can get a small portion of the marks off those topics that will really help you out.