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Secondary education

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Original poster

Y13 Maths A level Struggle

15 replies

DigitalNomad · 30/09/2025 20:13

DS is struggling in maths A level (OCR A)
He got a hard earned 8 at GCSE which he crunched his way to & I was nervous about it as an A level but he needs it in order to study ComSci at Uni
He seems to be fine in class but cannot perform in exams. It takes him a long time to process what the question is asking, he struggles to identify what maths he needs. He sometimes get very bogged down in a question and has to miss out other questions losing him many marks. He's hovering between a C & D on past AS papers whilst is soul destroying given how many hours he puts in.

I don't have super high expectations - a B would be amazing but a C would suffice. However, he could very easily get a D or lower
Does anyone have any advice on how to improve on Y12 content whilst keeping up with new Y13 content. We are both feeling really low about it right now.

OP posts:
Whattododa · 30/09/2025 20:29

A tutor? Is that a possibility? He might not even need lots of input esp if it is exam technique as such. Would he meet the requirements for extra time in exams?

FlockofSquirrels · 30/09/2025 20:50

I would pursue tutoring, specifically looking for someone who experienced in tutoring the exam prep/skills side. Keep reminding him that the exam skills are exactly that - skills, and separate from the actual exam content. He can learn tools and strategies and then it's going to be about practicing to make them feel like second nature, just like with a sport or music. A good tutor can help him find the best way to structure and focus his revision so that he's practicing the exam skills he needs in addition to getting the right content focus in. The good news is that it's something that they can make big gains on (I'd much rather tackle this problem than the opposite one of struggling with the content itself) and that it will help him to throughout his academic life, not just in this A level.

Obviously it's always worth considering whether struggles with processing speed in exams are due to SEN, but if this is specific to maths and there aren't concerns showing up in lessons and non-exam prep then that's less likely to be the case.

PrincessOfPreschool · 30/09/2025 21:13

OP, I do sympathise. My DS was very similar. He spent so long working on Maths and had tuition in Maths for a year, but partly Y13 was v hard and partly he totally lost it in the Maths exams. He got a D in the end but I think he was capable of a B/C. The main thing for him was nerves and exam anxiety. I think try and take the pressure off. He can retake the following Nov if he doesn't get the right grade, just try to help him relax about it as much as possible as I think that can actually make at least one grade's difference.

Tuition if you can afford it. Try to identify if the issue is the mechanics, stats or pure and work on those areas. Also, exam technique so if possible, get a tutor who is also an examiner, or at least a maths teacher. I regret getting a cheaper tutor who was not a teacher in the UK so he didn't know the exam boards or specific skills to maximise marks (even when you can't get full marks) etc. There's lots of tips and tricks.

senua · 30/09/2025 21:24

It takes him a long time to process what the question is asking
Has he got a learning difficulty? It is perfectly possible to be quite bright but not be able to demonstrate it because of processing problems like this. It might be worth getting an assessment which could translate into extra time in exams.

Original poster
DigitalNomad · 30/09/2025 21:39

Arrrgh I feel bad..I missed out a few key details in my original post which I’ve greedily posted in higher ed too for experienced traffic m.
He’s ND..autistic but also inattentive ADHD. Started on meds in April which have helped his focus but not his memory.
I also got him a tutor in June (having ditched an unreliable uni graduate we stared with at Easter) who he really likes & wants to stay with but I’m not sure how rigorous the tutor is. I’m really loathe to switch
School is a small independent with not such small fees..do you think it’s reasonable to ask them for some extra help, an intervention of sorts? It so painful & I am dreading results day already.

OP posts:
caringcarer · 30/09/2025 21:51

My DS used to get D until we got him a tutor. He moved up to a C then a B.

Pistachiocake · 30/09/2025 21:55

You say you've been told he needs it to do Computer Science? Only picking up on this as I know a couple of people who have Computer Science degrees but no Maths A-level. They're all over 30 so I respect things might have changed. Otherwise, I'd agree with others about a tutor, but please be careful about the person's qualifications, as anyone can call themselves a tutor and if it was me I'd want to check they have a proper teaching qualification/actual experience of teaching A-level students and getting decent results.

fashionqueen0123 · 30/09/2025 21:55

A level maths is really tough. I got an A at GCSE with barely any revision or thought. I found maths pretty easy.
Then I did the AS and just scraped through. I was just glad to have passed the awful thing. It was like maths ten levels higher!

I quit and carried on with my three other A Levels and got AAB. I don’t know why maths is such a leap compared to other subjects.

Does he 100% need it for all unis for the course he wants to do? If so I’d get a tutor and also ask the school to help. I would expect an independent to already be on the case.

Original poster
DigitalNomad · 30/09/2025 22:11

There are a few places that don't need the maths A level & we are applying to those but there's no ditching it as a subject now as 2 A levels is not really an option for him - he hates change an will feel like a failure so we will soldier on.
We are choosing ComSci courses with an Integrated Foundation Year where its available as he'll need a softer start than most. Now I realise he'll need the softer grade entry point too and spending a year going over all the maths he'll need for the course itself will be exactly what he needs and I think he'll be happy to do that - he quite likes maths but cannot perform in exams.
I think school really ought to be on it too given - it's not in their interests to have anything less than a C on their results table

OP posts:
Original poster
DigitalNomad · 30/09/2025 22:13

senua · 30/09/2025 21:24

It takes him a long time to process what the question is asking
Has he got a learning difficulty? It is perfectly possible to be quite bright but not be able to demonstrate it because of processing problems like this. It might be worth getting an assessment which could translate into extra time in exams.

He has the extra time already - god I am making him sound like an absolute lost cause! He's a lovely hard working and otherwise bright kid. Bloody A level maths 😫

OP posts:
fashionqueen0123 · 30/09/2025 22:44

DigitalNomad · 30/09/2025 22:11

There are a few places that don't need the maths A level & we are applying to those but there's no ditching it as a subject now as 2 A levels is not really an option for him - he hates change an will feel like a failure so we will soldier on.
We are choosing ComSci courses with an Integrated Foundation Year where its available as he'll need a softer start than most. Now I realise he'll need the softer grade entry point too and spending a year going over all the maths he'll need for the course itself will be exactly what he needs and I think he'll be happy to do that - he quite likes maths but cannot perform in exams.
I think school really ought to be on it too given - it's not in their interests to have anything less than a C on their results table

That’s what I was thinking. I would see if he can ask his teacher for suggestions. When is parents evening?

Its a shame they seemed to have at some point stopped the AS levels being a standard thing to do 4 and then drop one and carry on with 3 A levels as it really benefits a lot of students to be able to stop a subject that wasn’t quite what they hoped for but still get 3 A Levels.

PrincessOfPreschool · 30/09/2025 22:45

Sounds so similar to my DS. Inattentive ADHD. Likely ASD but undiagnosed. Show processing, extra time. It's great your DS is considering uni. Mine said he was not going to uni as he couldn't face ever sitting another exam in his life! He left school in 2024 and doesn't really know what to do with his life. It's really hard.

ItIsReallyFine · 30/09/2025 22:52

Thank you for asking this. I would like to know the same for my DS. Whizz at coding, but dreads A level maths.

ItIsReallyFine · 30/09/2025 22:53

OP, has your DS considered the open university CS course? I've wondered about it because the maths entry requirement is just GCSE. No A level needed and the course is done from home, so nice for ND kids. I have wondered about it for my DS.

HawaiiWake · 01/10/2025 09:55

Check out tutors that understand past A levels board papers and get them to work through them with your DC. So a targeted approach, also find out from school the types of questions that are tricky for DC. Tutors/ teachers who knows about questions styles.
Khan academy is free Maths online from US but good if DC need to understand one topic in greater depth.
Dr. Frost uk have types of questions for A levels.

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