Should my DS retake his GCSE maths?

[Battyasfeck]

So… DS just received his GCSE results this morning. He is pleased with all of them but got a 4 in maths. I know this is seen as a standard pass but I’m worried about when he applies to university. Should I encourage him to retake? Or just be grateful with what he got (we actually are but worried about holding him back in the future). He will not be applying to the Oxbrodhe/UCL types and is interested in something along the lines of media and/or sport. Any advice/ experience gratefully received.

Questions I’d be asking:

Do you know how close to a 5 he was?

Was he expected to get much higher?

What was his mock result?

Did he do Foundation / Higher?

What is he planning to do in 6th form?

A 4 in maths is considered a pass and provided he doesn’t need anything more I wouldn’t be resitting. Most schools / colleges wouldn’t timetable lessons for students with a 4 to resit, so he’d have to do it on his own and just be entered for the exam. If he was predicted this sort
of grade anyway, it sounds like he’s done well and should just focus on next steps.

Thank you. He wants to do English based subjects … no STEM in sight (Thank God). I think he was about 6 marks award from a 5 (higher). Mock was also a 4. I personally want to leave it as it is - I’m just so scared of it holding him back in the future.

If he was doing a levels at my school we would make him resit.

If it holds him back he can resit later. This is not life-ruining!

Talk to tutors but let the dust settle. Congrats on his GCSEs overall. Try to be proud of what he has achieved.

My DD got a 4 in maths, got A*AB in her A levels (essay subjects) and is off to an RG university in September. So no, I wouldn't bother.

Thanks all. Your comments are very much appreciated. This is reassuring… I promise I am proud of him - he’s done brilliantly. He doesn’t actually know I have any worries about his maths as I want him to be confident about how he’s done.

I wouldn't bother resitting if he doesn't want to do STEM A levels, worth a chat with school though to see what they think

If he resits it will take time and effort away from his A levels.
Check uni admission requirements for likely courses and if not mandated then leave we'll alone.

I don’t get why it would hold him back - I mean, maybe it would for Oxbridge, but also I’m sure they wouldn’t be overly impressed with him having to resit GCSEs anyway. Much better to have a fresh start.

I second taking a quick look at the requirements for degree courses he might be interested in first.

'Make'?

Presumably the school funds the exam entry for tbis non-statutory resit? (do you make students with a 4 in Maths resit that as well?).

What is the reasoning behind it? Genuinely curious.

Friends DD got a 4 in maths and she couldn’t go to her first choice course. If you have enough for the next steps it won’t make a difference.