How to apply to resit maths GCSE exam independently?

[bobbafett1976]

Hi there

My DD got a 3 in her maths GCSEs and we struggled to find a place for her to do a resit alongside a-levels she has 4 other GCSEs 4 and above but needs 5 to do her chosen course. We are now looking at doing it independently with a tutor and applying to do her a-levels at the start of the next academic year in September 25, does anyone know how this works? How do we actually apply to resit the exam? Can she take it at any time?

In England there are two sittings for students who are resitting, November and the summer.

If she is resitting independently then you need to find an exam centre that takes independent students. There are not so many as there used to be.

This took let's you find exam centres taking private candidates

www.jcq.org.uk/private-candidates/

You will need to pay.

As above but if you can't find somewhere near you, you could ask her old school if they would allow her resit it there, not every school is on the list given.

Alternatively, you could find a NEET provider near you, if DD is not doing another course this year, and they might have some arrangements.

What is she doing now? Can't she sit the retake exam where she is now? Even if she doesn't have lessons for it there. I'm confused how she's got onto A Levels.

Your local FE college may offer a resit course or act as a centre. Or ask the exam board where locally might accept her.

Isn't she at college now? If not, what is the reason behind that? What's the plan for next year? A levels aren't usually suitable for with only 5 grade 4 GCSEs - BTEC maybe better.

If they would accept her with functional skills level 2 (they may well not) then that can be sat sat any time, and can, I believe, be taken online too.

Find a tuition centre / adult education place. They may be able to advise on places to resit.

There us a bit of a hole if 16-19 but not in college when it comes to maths and Engish.

She is working part-time, the school she just left did not have any places for her in their 6th form

No she isn't at college - they were all full when we applied, the ones that did have availability were in subjects such as hairdressing and art.

But she could have gone to another college to resit? Where will she hope to do A levels, or more likely a level 3 course, if she passes Maths?

Could you expand on this - she actually has 4 at grade 4 and one at grade 5 a maths at grade 3, if we she can get a maths in grade 5 that would give her a better chance of doing a-levels (in English, Geography and Biology) , thinking about it now we would also look for her to do a GCSE science subject as she also failed science.

With those gcse grades she’d be unlikely to be accepted onto any A-levels. She can’t do Biology A-level if she failed Science ?

I think you need to find an FE college (as opposed to a school sixth form) and speak to their admissions department about what courses she could apply for with her results.

Having a year out of education will not be doing her any favours either.

She can’t resit her maths GCSE once she’s actually at college, they will have a resit class.

So she's NEET. You need to contact your LA or old school that's really poor

Not sure this reads as you mean. She can retake gcse maths as an external candidate, but needs to find a centre (maybe tutor can advise) and probably pay a fee. Biology is not an option without passing the gcse and even with below a 6 passing will be a struggle.

Oh yes sorry - I meant she CAN resit at college, not can’t

Those are really academic A levels. Bluntly - she won't pass them if her GCSE grades reflect her academic ability. Look at other Level 3 courses such as BTECs, T levels.

Her GCSE results aren’t strong enough to indicate that she’ll cope and do well at A level.

What has she done to prepare for her maths resit? There was an opportunity this month but you’ve missed that.

I think you all need to do some reading up and research about suitable options local to you for September, based on her GCSE results. Obviously maths will need to be included. Having a year out of education isn’t going to be doing her any favours at all.

Is there a reason for those grades? They seem far too low to progress to A levels with success, but are there mitigating circumstances? (Eg Illness, ASD not coping with 10 subjects but capable in theory of better grades)

She maybe would have been better off doing a level 2 course this year and maths resit, progressing to a level 3 (btec, t-level, a levels, mix btec/a level) for the next 2 years.

I think you need a plan B for Sept 2025, if maths isn't passed or not accepted for A levels again. For example my DD's agricultural college does Conservation courses, which may fit with geography/biology interests.

I agree with PPs, grade 4 is too low to take A levels tbh. If she failed science (what did she get) then biology A, level is surely a non starter. A 6 at least is usually needed. Or are there mitigating circumstances, as @TeenToTwenties suggests?

What does she want to do going forward?

What a shame you didn't look at college courses in time for her to start in September. But it's worth looking now - maybe something like applied science BTEC might suit? Or yes, something agricultural?

I would look at college now and talk to them - see if they can suggest some way she can keep herself in learning mode between now and next Sept?

Hi yes there has been some trauma I'd rather not go into detail on. We were really pushing to get her into a 6th Form, by the time it became obvious this wasn't going to be achievable as many of the colleges were full. She has aspirations of studying law one day.

Your update makes more sense.
So school think she is 'A level material'?

There should be adult education classes somewhere but you may need to pay. They would presumably be at least able to let her sit the exams maybe?

(Ps my DD has been taking a circuitous route too, just at a slightly lower level.) Last year she did fs English alongside therapy and work experience.)

Is it definitely a 5 in maths she needs (not a 6 as doing biology)? If so then can take Foundation tier. If she needs a 6 then she would need to take the Higher tier.

Students at grade 5 ish are usually encouraged to take level 3 BTECs and retake GCSE maths and English if necessary. Level 3 BTECs are suitable for uni entry so if that’s why you are thinking A-levels then it would be good to read more on level 3 vocational qualifications.

Depending on where you are based Tutors and Exams have centres in various parts of the country that are for candidates just like your daughter.

Titchy is right. A levels are a big step up from GCSE. I teach English and no school I’ve taught in has ever allowed a pupil with below a 6 at GCSE to do A level. This is fairly standard. My daughter’s school requires 5 7s, including in the subjects you intend to study. I would not teach A level to a child with a 4 at GCSE - they would simply find it too challenging. Perhaps you should sit down with your daughter and look at less academic options to get where she wants to be.