Maths GCSE

[squashyhat]

Trivial compared to some of the threads because I'm only doing it 'for fun' (hah!) but has anyone else braved this in later life? I never managed to get my O Level so aged 60 I decided to prove to myself I could do it but OMG it's hard. It's not so much the learning (I am doing a brilliant supported online course) but the remembering that's the problem. Sometimes I swear I can hear my brain creaking. I'm half way through and planning to do the exams next summer. Am I mad?

Not mad, but Extremely Brave.

Nothing on this earth would get me to face Maths O’Level again. (Thankfully I’m so old my undergrad university accepted Biology instead.)

Will you go for the A’ Level afrerwards?

@squashyhat Yes, you're mad! But in a good way! Hope you get the result that you want. Well done!

Good luck!

I think the only way to remember is to just keep practising as much as possible. Going back over old units once you move onto a new one etc. As many past papers as possible.

I did it at 40. You can do this!

Thanks for the encouragement. Having achieved much higher qualifications in other subjects its odd but I am enjoying it in a masochistic of way. But A level? I don't think so

@squashyhat Btw, is your user name from Pigeon Post, by any chance?

I want to do this too! Maths is my weakest point, I am absolutely useless and find it embarrassing that I wouldn't even know where to begin to help DS(11) with his homework. Which provider have you used please?

[quote PainterInPeril]@squashyhat Btw, is your user name from Pigeon Post, by any chance?[/quote]
@PainterInPeril Hurrah! Another
AR fan

@MeredithMae ICS Learn. Highly recommended. You get access to weekly lessons (either live if you are following in real time or recorded on YouTube) access to a personal tutor, course materials and an online textbook. The course is in three blocks for foundation tier (four for higher) with a test at the end of each block and revision sessions. You have to find alocal school or college who will take private students for the exams and pay for them separately.

@squashyhat Yes, big AR fan here!

Thanks so much- I'm going to go for it- you've inspired me!

I did it in two terms when I was 51 and it was hard going - was working in a school at the time and went to 2 evening classes a week for two terms then the exam

It is possible

Not mad, no. Maths GCSE was a mandatory part of my Access course and, although I hated it at school (and didn't get a good grade), I loved it and got a good pass aged 50

I did it at 50 for exactly the same reasons. Enjoyed the course and employing adult logic and work ethic instead of my teenage attitude worked wonders.
I couldn't always follow in the lessons but I'd go home and work through topics again using my textbook and a YouTube series called Hegarty Maths. Delighted to announce that I achieved a grade A ( came as some surprise to many, but I did work really hard)
I wasn't the oldest in the class either !

Ps I've re-read your original post and I had the problem of remembering too. I'd grasp something one week, and it would be gone the next.
I did a great deal of cramming before the exams!

I think you're utterly inspiring - well done for challenging yourself and for not letting things pass you by. I hope I can be the same at 60.

I took Maths GCSE in my mid 40's. I did it largely self taught with some help from my teenage daughters. Towards the end I got a few sessions with a (very ineffectual) tutor. I had no idea whether to put myself in for the foundation or higher tier, and I wasn't allowed to take both in the same exam session, so in the end played it safe with the foundation paper. I absolutely aced the paper getting almost full USM marks which got me a C, (this was before the numerical system came in) the highest you can get in a foundation paper.
Ive kicked myself ever since for not being braver because I think I was definitely capable of getting an A or B, I couldn't be bothered to retake the higher tier as I only needed a pass for work and was already employed on the understanding I'd get the qualification.
So my advice is go for it and don't undersell yourself if they still do a two tier system.

Yes! Loved it. I went on with the OU with a maths degree for a few years. Had to give up because I couldn't afford the fees any more

@squashyhat How are you getting on? Can I ask what provider you are doing this with? Do they do Maths A level?

I am re taking my maths gcse at 38! I have the same problem as the op! I understand it and then the next week it is gone 😂 planning on cramming on revision too and hoping it works! Some providers are free if you didnt pass maths when you where at school. I don’t have to pay, just show up everyweek on time with a good attitude.

@squashyant can you recommend the course you are on please ?

My DH did an equivalent bridging course in his 40s because he needed it for an HND and felt pretty awesome to have finally cracked it.

Mine is with Aspire Sussex - based in West Sussex… it is all online at the moment though, so you could try them, or I am sure there must be other services like them. My tutor is a maths gsce and a level teacher by day and really good!

Go for it - I retook mine in my late 40s. I wanted to change careers and most jobs, even basic admin were asking for gcse maths. I went to night school at a local college. The best thing about doing it now is all the online resources that are available. I recommend Maths Genie and Corbett Maths. I also had access to Mathswatch through the college plus there is BBC Bitesize and the Oak Academy lockdown learning site is still available. Good luck!