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Original poster

Don't have GCSE maths but want to apply for new job

123 replies

twiceasnice47 · 13/08/2025 22:30

I am looking to change jobs as I work in a school and now my kids are grown up I want a job where I can work all year round and take my holiday when I want. My only problem is I only have 2 GCSE's at grade A-C and I got an F in maths. I originally failed all of them but went back to college and got a B for English and French. But Maths is an F and this job says that you must have English and Maths GCSE grade A-C. I managed to get on to a level 2 college course in business back in the early 90's and got a distinction and since then have really succeeded in the workplace, I also have an English A level and an English degree which I got a 2:1 for. So my CV is actually pretty good and I have said I have 8 GCSE's and haven't ever put the grades and don't think I have ever been asked. Not having maths GCSE has not hindered me at all until now.

I have worked as a team manager, a shop manager, a practice manager of a dental practice and am currently an HLTA and Cover supervisor in a school. I was never asked for any grades or proof of maths for any of these positions. Although I have no A-C grade in GCSE maths I often teach maths to year 6 students. I just had absolutely zero interest in learning once at school but as soon as I got to college I loved learning and have lots of different qualifications now.

I am looking at working in the NHS and their application forms want GCSE grades. If they see F grades for GCSE's (especially maths) surely they are going to reject it instantly. But I have lots of relevant experience and lots of other courses with distinctions over the years. It also says on the application form that all qualifications and grades will be checked. So basically as nowadays you have to have a C in maths is it worth me applying and do all application forms now ask for grades. I have worked in my current job for 15 years so applying for jobs is very different nowadays.

OP posts:
Autisticauldbag · 18/08/2025 18:21

TakeMeToAnIgloo · 18/08/2025 18:18

This is the kind of thing I was thinking of:

https://www.examcentre.co.uk/services/online-functional-skills-maths-level-2-exam/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22310162776

available every day.

(I'm sure there are others though)

Sorry, cross posted ! 🤣

ThatBlueHedgehog · 18/08/2025 19:06

I took my maths gcse at about 30 at night school, because I knew I could do it and wanted to be able to help my kids with their homework. I enjoyed it and got a B.

i would say go for the job. Unless it’s in NHS/government they are only going to be interested in your highest level of education.

Discobooloo · 18/08/2025 21:57

Needing level 2/GCSE is pretty standard now.

Go to your local college and ask about functional skills maths level 2. You may just be able to do the exam, usually online and held anytime of the year. You may need to do an assessment to show you are capable of achieving that level though.
Or they'll put you on a 10-20 week programme attending once or twice per week. You'll be surprised and may struggle with parts.

It's worth applying for the job, saying you're enrolled or are starting on X date and stating the proven work you've done with intermediate maths.

HelpMeGetThrough · 18/08/2025 22:19

cyvguhb · 18/08/2025 18:17

I dont think you would be, you can get replacement certificates if you know which board you say I understand

Show quote history

No idea which board, I did them 37 years ago.

lifetourist · 18/08/2025 22:21

If they’ll accept Function Skills Level 2 sign up for that as you can take the exam as soon as you’re ready. I did this last year and easily passed… it’s C equivalent and doesn’t involve trigonometry!

Coconutter24 · 18/08/2025 22:22

My first job was in 2004, I got a U in maths but according to my application form I got a C, I also put that new grade on an application form in 2019 and it was never checked. Thankfully!!

AnneElliott · 18/08/2025 22:24

Yes it is weird that GCSEs are wanted even when you have higher qualifications. I was recently asked for my English GCSE certificate for a voluntary role (although it’s one with vetting) and they wouldn’t accept the A Level English not the English lit degree certificate - it had to be the GCSE!

OnTheBoardwalk · 18/08/2025 22:24

My current job 4 years ago asked me for my actual GCSE certificates from 30 odd years ago. Thankfully my mother had huge under stairs storage and still had them

they were found in my record of achievement folder 😀

Mathsdebator · 18/08/2025 22:29

Sign u0 for either al2 Functional Skills or GCSE Maths at your local college.

If your maths skills are decent there's a November GCSE series, results come out in January.

Hiiufjn · 18/08/2025 22:31

I'm old enough to have sat O levels and have not had sight of my certificates for over 30 years. Not sure I ever had them to be honest. Have worked in public services and NHS for 20 years and have never been asked to produce them. Luckily, as my old school is long closed and the exam board non existent now so I couldn't get copies.

DorothyStorm · 18/08/2025 22:32

Id sign up for a gcse starting in september and put it on my application where the gcse maths grade is.

justasmalltownmum · 18/08/2025 22:33

Just apply. And if you get the job and they ask then be honest.

Hayley1256 · 18/08/2025 22:36

If you've been able to sustain employment then I would still apply. I have no GCSE-s but have qualifications relevant to my work that is heavily math bases. I've always ignored the qualification section on a job description as my experience speaks for itself

DrRedT · 18/08/2025 23:10

I work in the NHS, I don’t have a single GCSE - but have just been awarded my PhD in chemical engineering - when I applied (12 years ago) I had my undergrad and they only requested to see that certificate

I am about to start my teacher training and I did an equivalency test, lasted 8 weeks (1 lesson per week) online via BCU - cost £150 approx, that was specific for teacher training but there are other courses you could do that would ‘prove’ you have maths skills at the required level

BuildbyNumbere · 18/08/2025 23:22

Just say you got a C … realistically how are they ever going to check grades from 35 years ago. GCSE’s from that long ago would be pretty much irrelevant anyway.

pinkdelight · 18/08/2025 23:26

Gotta say, I sat my GCSEs in 1989 and did well but have no idea where the certificates are so couldn’t prove anything. I just looked up how I’d go about getting copies and it’s v unlikely as I’ve no idea which exam board was used and the school was long since closed down by the LA. I’ve never had to mention GCSEs, let alone supply proof, as it’s so far back and like OP I’ve got A levels and degree(s). Honestly I’d be inclined to blag it if it’s just a tick box and not a role that actually requires quadratic equations or somesuch, which seems pretty unlikely.

Chocolatebunny61 · 18/08/2025 23:28

My daughter was like me - rubbish at maths at school! She did her level 3 CIPD as a HR apprentice last year and functional skills was part of that. She did an 8 week course followed by an exam. That was at a further education college. She had to resit but passed with a distinction. I’m so proud of her as I know how hard she found it. She’s now about to start her level 5 CIPD which is all funded by her employer.

LemondrizzleShark · 18/08/2025 23:31

Depends on the job! Literally nobody has ever asked me for mine, and I have worked in a lot of NHS trusts over the past 30 years.

OP, I have always just put my highest/professional qualifications, which in your case would be your degree.

MSJ1402 · 19/08/2025 00:18

I would apply for the job, stating you’re enrolling on a course to do your maths qualification and then apply to your local college - even if you don’t get this job for whatever reason, it won’t be a barrier to future employment if you bite the bullet and go for it.

I am a maths teacher and I know we offer adult part-time daytime and evening courses in both GCSE and functional skills, so hopefully you will be able to find something that works around you.

Good luck ❤️

Valley8173 · 19/08/2025 00:31

I’ve worked for a public sector regulatory body and several private sector firms culminating in a very senior position at a large plc. I hold multiple personal licences in different global jurisdictions which are required as part of my role.

I have never shown any employer a single exam certificate. My entire educational history could be a complete lie for all they know.

The only thing they ever want to know about is recent job experience. I find it weird that anyone other than perhaps your first permanent employer would ever ask for proof of exam results.

Cheeky19863 · 19/08/2025 00:38

You havent "got" 8 gcses though? Theyre not counted unless you passed them (C or above)

TheLivelyViper · 19/08/2025 00:56

twiceasnice47 · 13/08/2025 22:30

I am looking to change jobs as I work in a school and now my kids are grown up I want a job where I can work all year round and take my holiday when I want. My only problem is I only have 2 GCSE's at grade A-C and I got an F in maths. I originally failed all of them but went back to college and got a B for English and French. But Maths is an F and this job says that you must have English and Maths GCSE grade A-C. I managed to get on to a level 2 college course in business back in the early 90's and got a distinction and since then have really succeeded in the workplace, I also have an English A level and an English degree which I got a 2:1 for. So my CV is actually pretty good and I have said I have 8 GCSE's and haven't ever put the grades and don't think I have ever been asked. Not having maths GCSE has not hindered me at all until now.

I have worked as a team manager, a shop manager, a practice manager of a dental practice and am currently an HLTA and Cover supervisor in a school. I was never asked for any grades or proof of maths for any of these positions. Although I have no A-C grade in GCSE maths I often teach maths to year 6 students. I just had absolutely zero interest in learning once at school but as soon as I got to college I loved learning and have lots of different qualifications now.

I am looking at working in the NHS and their application forms want GCSE grades. If they see F grades for GCSE's (especially maths) surely they are going to reject it instantly. But I have lots of relevant experience and lots of other courses with distinctions over the years. It also says on the application form that all qualifications and grades will be checked. So basically as nowadays you have to have a C in maths is it worth me applying and do all application forms now ask for grades. I have worked in my current job for 15 years so applying for jobs is very different nowadays.

In the modern age, you do need all your grades and you will need a Maths GCSE at a 4/5 or above. I've never gone or even applied for any work experience, internship, part-time job (McDonald's or retail) or a career job where I haven't been asked for every single one of my grades. I'm in my 20s and this is the norm now. In the 90s and even 10 years ago not so much but now 100% and I had experience for most of the roles I applied for. The job market is different, more competitive and expects more out of applicants who they can play off each other because they have such high grades and good experience. Even the job you have now, if you weren't older and had other experience, there's no way you'd get a HLTA job with your GCSEs (you only have 2, the norm is 8-10, you failed maths which is normally compulsory, you have 1 A-level that you mentioned and yes a degree so it would bump you up many points that so may be enough to ignore lack of A-levels). However, you have been lying on job applications saying you have 8 GCSEs will mean employers assume you have passed maths and English and I think you may not have gotten all the jobs you've had if they knew you only had 2 and failed maths. You also only have 1 A-level from what you've said (unless you had extenuating circumstances, then this looks bad compared to those with 3/4 good ones). You wouldn't get into university these days or in the last past decade unless you did an acess course and even then likely a foundation year as well. I have to provide my certificates or a scan most of the time I apply for jobs and internships and career roles.

They may not ask because you've been lying about GCSEs and also you have a degree and experience as you're older, so they're more willing to ignore it. But if you were start over again in 2025 or even 10 years ago, after doing your GCSEs, Level 2 and A-levels - they would ask for certificates most likely, and wouldn't give the role without maths GCSE even with a degree because it's so standard and a basic requirement these days for younger people. It may not be happening to older applicants, but for younger people and people in their 20s and early 30s it most definitely is more normal, going from my experience and all my friends as well.

Go back and do the GCSE and aim for November, register as soon as you can, you likely don't need much revision but can do a college mature course if needed and use online resources.

everychildmatters · 19/08/2025 01:01

Would you ever consider becoming a teacher? You don't need any qualifications now, they just class you as Unqualified 😀

Algonqueen · 19/08/2025 01:06

One of my sisters has worked for the DWP (dealing with UC) in the last several years a couple of times and lied about her GCSE grades. Think she had a C in English. Failed the rest. They were never checked.

I’m certainly not advocating this but I wonder if civil service or other agencies even bother checking grades for the lowest paid roles. Hopefully a computer programme was working out the UC rather than my sister.

Enrichetta · 19/08/2025 01:15

AnneElliott · 18/08/2025 22:24

Yes it is weird that GCSEs are wanted even when you have higher qualifications. I was recently asked for my English GCSE certificate for a voluntary role (although it’s one with vetting) and they wouldn’t accept the A Level English not the English lit degree certificate - it had to be the GCSE!

I wonder what they do with applicants who were educated abroad or Brits who did an international Baccalaureate…?