Maths Functional skills level 2 at the age of 46

[doneandone]

So I've managed to fudge my way through life with a GCSE D in maths. Im thinking of changing jobs so decided to bite the bullet and study for my functional skills level 2 in maths. Wow, it is hard! I'm really struggling to understand calculating percentages and fractions (well, all of it to be fair, but this seems like a sticking point). I just cannot get my head around it. I'll read how to do it but it just doesn't sink in! Anyone else studying this and finding it difficult? I wish i hadn't started it but I know it's for the best, I just really hate maths!

Thank you @NavyKitchen

I didn't plan on going this far with it! I got an E in my gcse too. I tried a few things to learn over the years but nothing really stuck. Khan academy just suited my way of learning I guess. That's the thing with maths, there's so many different ways to do it!
You have the added pressure of having to learn to a set time, so it's tough, but you can do it!
Is there anything in particular you are struggling with? Maybe we can help on here? (hopefully not at the risk of confusing you further 😬)

@doneandone i did my GCSE at my local adult education centre. Small classes and I didn't feel like an idiot when I couldn't understand.

Thanks @IfeellikeaJoan I've just downloaded the Khan app so will have a look at it. I submitted my first assessment which included fractions and percentages, I got quite a few questions wrong (to be fair, when reviewing this, I could see that I hadn't read the questions properly and hadn't done the correct rounding etc), however, on a couple of the questions, I just remember thinking, how on earth did I answer this?! I'm going to just keep going through areas over and over until eventually it sinks in!

I did try to find a course local to me but I only have one spare evening a week and the course wasn't on that day, so the only option was online, but you're just kind of left to it and the support isn't great

@doneandone that's a shame. I hope you do pass x

Don't do this. If your DD is 16/17, just concentrate on the maths resit. The FS is totally different in content. Its maths but more practical with different styles of questions. The time spent doing the FS will be better spent just going over and over the maths needed to pass the GCSE- practice papers, youtube etcetc. If she cant get the 4 on the resit, then maybe try the functional skills. I wouldn't advise doing them at the same time.

You are probably right about not doing the two in parallel, though there is considerable overlap in content even if question styles are different (more wordy), isn't there? As far as I can see the FS is a subset of GCSE syllabus.

(DD is 19, returning to college (EHCP), slightly complex background, it isn't straightforward.)

Thete is an overlap in content, but understanding what the questions are asking you to do is a huge part of both ( I'm not a maths teacher so just maths adjacent from looking at FS maths for my students and GCSE maths for my son) and I think it would be very difficult to keep both in her head at the same time and separate them out.
Has the college said she has to do the GCSE? Functional Skills L2 instead may suit her better. Is she doing another course too to make up a full time course?

I think you are probably right @Seasmoke ; she is switching from English tutoring to maths this month (having done no maths for a year) and I will chat with her tutor for advice. College will make her do GCSE due to government rules. She is going to do a Level 2 vocational course.

Anyway, back to the OP. I'm sure you can do it if you find the right sources that click with you.

I would try to understand the basics and build on that, because sometimes it doesn't make sense because you're missing some background knowledge. so even if you're not doing L1 you might find it helps to go through the L1 work or other background info of any of the topics you are finding hard. eg https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zsxhfg8p

with percentages and fractions for eg think how it relates to real life eg floor tiles or baking.

I had to go right back to the very basic concepts in Chemistry and Physics as I didnt even do them for O level/GCSE and was doing an MSc.

Lots of videos online explaining things, find someone who explains it in a way that makes sense to you. it will probably suddenly click if you have a short break. i used to do a few minutes exercising when i couldn't understand stuff when i was studying after a 30 year break from exams.
Hope it goes well, you have the advantage of knowing yourself and being really motivated as an adult.

Thanks, I have started to do that, I've been seeking out videos on functional skills 1 to try and get a better understanding.

Thank you

Have you considered if you might have Dyscalculia? It's like Dyslexia but for numbers. Not diagnosing you but if it was that there might be some resources to help you know how to work with your brain ❤️

I’ve just finished my maths and English level 2 as part of a level 4 apprenticeship. The English was pretty straight forward but the maths was HARD and passed on my 2nd attempt with a lot of support and studying. I was diagnosed with dyslexia during the course.

PassFunctionalSkills done some amazing flash cards and study material; their website is brilliant.

it’s definitely worth doing. I’m so proud of my certificates!

I did actually consider this, but need to spend more time on it to see if it does go in, I think I must be capable to a certain extent to be considered for level 2 instead of level 1. I think I need to spend more time repeating and repeating (more than likely at a more basic level) until it sinks in.

Well done on your fantastic achievement!!
Yes I'm not confident I'll pass first time as it stands, I'll need to just go over and over until it sticks.
I'll have a look out for those flash cards though, thanks.

Thank you :) good luck with the course!

@IfeellikeaJoan May I ask about Khan, I have looked it up and it seems as if it is free to start. does it stay free?
It is impressive that you worked up to studying at degree level with OU. I need to get from revising GCSE to A Level.
I am not relating the Grade descriptions to anything I remember. Any comments please?

Yes it is free! It's a nonprofit organisation that aims to provide free learning for all. I have donated a small amount a couple of times because it's given me so much, but that is completely optional and they dont hassle you for donations.

It is an American site, so the courses follow their curriculum I think. I started right from the beginning with arithmetic, then pre algebra, algebra basics, algebra 1, trigonometry etc. It takes a while to find where to start and what order to do the courses at first, and I know they've added a lot of stuff since I started. It does have some flaws, but for me the style of teaching and activities really suited my learning style!

It's a long time since I did my GCSEs and I didn't do A level, but I'm sure it will cover everything up to that. I don't go on it as much as I used to as I mainly use my module books from the OU. But whenever I get stuck on a concept I go straight back to my trusty Khan for help 😄

Thanks @IfeellikeaJoan , encouraging remarks. It looks more structured than some of the clips that others have put up on YouTube.
I shall give it a try.🙂

Definitely worth a try @burnhambreeches . I hope you like it as much as I do!

I started to train to teach Maths in a college/Adult Ed about 10-12 years ago - the variation in the mature students was quite marked. I was also supporting at the time my primary school child who had dyslexia (couldn't ever get dyscalculia diagnosed). The gaps meant that the adult learners had to go back to basics and there was very little suitable material. I used this book with him and suggested it to my adult learners - just to give them confidence. Many had young children as well - yes of course it is childish but very pictoral and small steps. It really helped their confidence. https://usborne.com/gb/fractions-and-decimals-activity-book-9781474995597

I also found a worksheet calculator that generated tons of examples for worksheets and they practiced liked mad. But apologies I cant remember the name - I will try to see if we have any of the worksheets left and post back.

@socialdilemmawhattodo I'm going to order that book today. That's what I need, a real back to basics. Thanks for the recommendation