Re sitting GCSE Science for teaching

[tedcherries]

I’ve been offered a place to train for a Primary PGCE this September, which I’m really excited about. I already have a degree in Social Work and completed an Access to HE course, but unfortunately my GCSEs weren’t great—particularly Science. I got a double D, and the course requires at least a grade C (or a 4 under the new system).

The university has suggested I take the GCSE Science equivalency exam through A Star Equivalency. I’ve had a look, but I honestly can’t believe how much I’m struggling with the revision. I never thought I was unintelligent, but the content—especially chemistry and physics—feels completely alien to me. Biology I can just about manage, but the other two really make my brain hurt.

I have ADHD, and my doctor has also said I show signs of autism. I really struggled in school, which probably explains my grades. I went to an all-girls private school and absolutely hated it. I was bullied a lot, and undiagnosed ADHD didn’t help—I felt lost most of the time.

All that said, I really want to pass this exam. It’s going to cost me around £200 to take it, and I really don’t want to have to sit it again if I fail.

I’ve bought a revision guide on Amazon, but I’m finding it very hard to take in. I want to make this work, but I’m not sure how to tackle the revision in a way that suits my brain.

Interestingly, I was offered a PGCE place at a different university two years ago, and they accepted my Access course as equivalent—even with the double D in science. But this time, I need that GCSE. Which is frustrating but this university is a Russell Group, which might be why?

Do you have any tips, resources, or suggestions for how I can get through this in a way that works for someone like me?

not to patronise but do you understand the content? If not then maybe you need a ks3 revision book first. If so then is it down to revision technique?

What are your revision strategies? You need to be learning the content through whatever method works - I like a mindmap and to use look/cover/write /check, a lot of students like flash cards.

practice papers are essential, you can do them, mark them and focus on your weak spots.

Seneca has some good revision courses.

Not patronising at all. But some of the content I have no clue about. I looked at a past GCSE Science paper and passed most of the biology but the physics and chemistry weren’t great. It won’t be enough for me to pass I doubt.

I think I might have a look at some YouTube videos as I am more of a visual learner?

Cognito is good. On line videos and then questions.

Seneca learning is good. Give it a try.

I have just seen Cognito! I will look at Seneca too, thank you. I thought I’d just need to re jog my memory and it’ll be easy! Obviously not quite…

CGP do really good KS3 science study and revision books. I home educated my daughter all through her GCSE/IGCSE years and we would dip back into the KS3 books in areas she struggled with.

Mr Exham on You Tube has some really good videos for biology.

Would you like consider a tutor to help? Congrats on the offer!! 😁

Can you attend school?

Honestly, I think you should defer the place and take GCSE biology.

You only need one science and most people who struggle with science find the biology easier. I have no idea why because for me it is the hardest.