Advice needed for disappointing GCSE results and further Maths A level

[rainbowinthesky]

Hi ds was predicted throughout to get As and As at GCSE but through lack of effort for various modules ended up with 2As, 6Bs, 2Cs and a D. The D is French which he always struggled and one of the CSS is Art. As are in Maths and chemistry. He is gutted and it's been a wake up call. He really wants to do 3 sciences and further Maths and to prove he can do it. He has always been high achiever but lost his way. He got lots of As for modules and end of y10 averaged a s for all sciences. Where he didn't bother he to Es etc which brought As down. Really doesn't want to spend year retaking.

Is is worth him doing Further Maths or will his GCSE results bar him from any courses that would want further Maths? He doesn't know what he wants to do.

I really don't think further maths is a good idea or useful for anyone who didn't get a GCSE A*, no matter how close to it they were. Sorry.

I would get him to have a frank chat with his physics teacher re physics a level. The best marks in year 10 rings alarm bells for me, as we did 21 century science, and there is very little actual physics in year 10. If his teacher is confident, then fine. But no to 5 as levels I think.

I would suggest taking just two sciences with maths and further maths. Like others have said the jump to AS can be a challenge in itself without taking on an 'extra' A'level.

My DS has just completed maths, further maths, physics and chemistry and even with predominantly As and A*s at GCSE he struggled in the first term, particularly with maths which surprised him and us.

In our experience Cambridge aren't too fussy over GCSE grades within reason and are much more interested in AS module results. I think it's really important to not write anyone off due to slightly 'disappointing' GCSE results.

Having just read back a bit - perhaps the three sciences and maths would be better choices than further.

Good luck to him whatever he decides.

An A is the minimum to do maths at my school and we'd prefer an A* for further maths. It's a lot of maths to cope with if he's going to struggle (and he may well do if he's a good mathematician as opposed to a natural mathematician). This is why you should ask his maths teacher for an honest assessment.

If his school/college allows him to do Further Maths I would say go for it. Further Maths is not just aimed at the students who got top grades at GCSE. It can only be a benefit and will actually help his A-level maths as he'll get lots of maths tuition.

Get him to look here www.furthermaths.org.uk/student_area/ see if any if it sparks his interest.

Yes it is hard, but it is fantastically interesting.

3 Sciences at AS level is a lot of work as you have to do 3 lots of practical assessment. Maths, Chemistry, Physics and Further Maths is a good combination for AS which will give plenty of options at university.

Hi to all who responded. Finally decided upon Further maths, maths, chemistry and physics.

Good choice! Keeps a lot of options in maths, engineering and physical science open to him.

You need to ask his maths teacher about his capacity to do further maths.

If he does maths, further maths and physics, that is a lot of maths. He has to love it.