Any quick advice on higher maths please?

[Rae36]

Ds in S5 is struggling. I really don't think he'll pass. His teacher today mentioned maybe not sitting the exam. Ds is now in a complete panic.

We've contacted his teacher and I'm sure he will be in touch tomorrow but that doesn't help ds tonight

I think he has taken on too much and would support him in not sitting the exam this year. I would be relieved tbh.

Does anyone know if there's anything else he can sit instead? The teacher seemed to suggest he could sit tests in individual units or something that would be worth less than a higher but wouldn't be a fail on his record for ever. We don't understand what that is though. Ds deems to think one of his friends is doing this.

Or is it possible to study again and sit in S6? I'm sure that varies from school to school and we'll hear more tomorrow but any generic advice would help settle ds a bit this evening I think.

Jeez, when does parenting get easier???

Thank you

It should be possible to sit Higher maths in S6 - assuming he is staying on for that ? It also depends on how many highers he is sitting and whether or not he is applying for a competitive course where they will look for 5 Highers at one sitting.

If he needs maths then it might be best to not sit this year and to sit at the end of S6 - and possibly arrange a tutor if you can.

DD struggled with Nat 5 and we got a tutor towards the end of s4 who she met once a week during s5 which was a huge help. I know thats not a cheap option but I couldnt help at all so it was worth it to avoid the huge stress.

Does his school offer Higher Apps of Maths? He could have a look at SQA website to see how he would find it. More arithmetic, problem solving less of the algebraic side.

It would be a very late change but if it's the part of the subject he can do then it might be worth looking into.

Alternatively - how would he feel about sitting this year and using it to identify areas of weakness but being prepared to resit in s6 ?

He's got no hope of 5 highers this year so that's not a consideration. If he sits 4 he'll likely get CCCD. If he sits only 3 he's got a chance of BBC I think.

His teacher seemed to be suggesting it's better to have nothing on your results certificate than a fail or a really poor grade, is that good advice? Does a fail show on your certificate? I don't know.

He's had a tutor all year, that's why he's so upset. He really thought he had improved. I think Maths is just not for him but he has in his head that he really should have it.

My gut feeling is that he doesn't do it this year but tries next year if he can.

Or is that bad advice? I don't know.

His school do offer Applications of Maths but it's too late in the day for that for this year, he would just panic if he had something new to face. Might be an option for next year though

Many moons ago I dropped maths at this stage as didn't have a hope in hell if passing it.
Took it again in S6 and did ok.

Depending on what he wants to do next a load of Cs is of little benefit.
A couple of Bs this year another couple next year will take him into a number of courses