[Laura1335]

Hi

I want to do a post grad and an A Level in Maths would help me loads.
I got an A at ASlevel in 2005, can I pick up where I left off or do I have to start over again? I can't seem to find any info on this...
Also, Is it possible to self-teach?

Thanks
L

[Tullia]

(Original post by Laura1335)
Hi

I want to do a post grad and an A Level in Maths would help me loads.
I got an A at ASlevel in 2005, can I pick up where I left off or do I have to start over again? I can't seem to find any info on this...
Also, Is it possible to self-teach?

Thanks
L

The specification has since had an overhaul (believe it was 2008) and so you'll have to start over again.

A-level Maths is a subject that is relatively easy to self-teach if you've got the discipline and motivation to do so. You've got plenty of online resources, for example: http://www.examsolutions.co.uk/ .

[Laura1335]

Thanks

[Tullia]

(Original post by Laura1335)
Thanks

You're welcome. Obviously you don't know what exam board you'll be taking A-level Maths with, but if you want to PM me an e-mail address then I'd be happy to send you the resources I've got for A-level Maths (files are too large to attach in this thread).

[ilovecatsforlife]

(Original post by Tullia)
You're welcome. Obviously you don't know what exam board you'll be taking A-level Maths with, but if you want to PM me an e-mail address then I'd be happy to send you the resources I've got for A-level Maths (files are too large to attach in this thread).

How much would a step up would AS Maths be for someone who didn't do Higher Maths GCSE? I'm considering doing it during a gap year if I miss my grades. Would it be too much? Obv I'd need to learn all the algebra etc as I've literally been taught nothing.

[Tullia]

(Original post by ilovecatsforlife)
How much would a step up would AS Maths be for someone who didn't do Higher Maths GCSE? I'm considering doing it during a gap year if I miss my grades. Would it be too much? Obv I'd need to learn all the algebra etc as I've literally been taught nothing.

It probably isn't what you want to hear, but it does depend and differ from person to person.

I know someone that originally was only allowed to take (what was then) the Intermediate Maths GCSE and they then retook their GCSE Maths by doing the Higher Maths GCSE alongside their AS levels. They achieved an A* at GCSE and an A at AS. They've actually just graduated from Warwick having studied Maths.

Whereas, I know someone that studied Higher Maths GCSE and got a grade B but has this year struggled quite a bit at AS despite working fairly hard.

My view on maths being an easy subject to self-teach stands true though, as there is a wealth of resources available for free to learn from and places like TSR where you can come if you get stuck along the way.

Obviously, your priority should be learning those topics that you won't have been taught due to not having done Higher Maths GCSE, and then after doing that and building your confidence up moving onto 'bridging' material and then the AS material itself.

Personally though, I don't think the step up is that vast and I don't think it would be too much for you to do. You will need discipline and motivation throughout though.

Any idea what exam board you would be taking it with?

Edit: Not exactly sure why the -rep is deserved. If I've said something wrong or offended anyone, then actually replying to my post would be more helpful and allow me to avoid the error in the future. Thanks.

[ilovecatsforlife]

(Original post by Tullia)
It probably isn't what you want to hear, but it does depend and differ from person to person.

I know someone that originally was only allowed to take (what was then) the Intermediate Maths GCSE and they then retook their GCSE Maths by doing the Higher Maths GCSE alongside their AS levels. They achieved an A* at GCSE and an A at AS. They've actually just graduated from Warwick having studied Maths.

Whereas, I know someone that studied Higher Maths GCSE and got a grade B but has this year struggled quite a bit at AS despite working fairly hard.

My view on maths being an easy subject to self-teach stands true though, as there is a wealth of resources available for free to learn from and places like TSR where you can come if you get stuck along the way.

Obviously, your priority should be learning those topics that you won't have been taught due to not having done Higher Maths GCSE, and then after doing that and building your confidence up moving onto 'bridging' material and then the AS material itself.

Personally though, I don't think the step up is that vast and I don't think it would be too much for you to do. You will need discipline and motivation throughout though.

Any idea what exam board you would be taking it with?

No idea, I'd probably go for the 'easiest' but I know there aren't short cuts to anything in life, especially with Maths. You're right, but if I did take a gap year because I'd missed my grades, I'd probably want to apply to do A+F at a good uni, and most would want a grade B minimum in GCSE Maths - I'm sure they won't mind the retake once I've explained that I haven't actually sat Higher previously.

I think you're right, I'd do the Higher stuff - which I'm sure I'm capable of, and then attempt AS if I complete it quickly or something. My main goal would be to get an A at least in GCSE Maths, considering I'd only be doing that and 2 A2 papers for a year, then apply to do Econ or A+F.

Have you got any links to sites where I can practise my GCSE Maths skills. I know there is MyMaths but I don't have a login.

[Tullia]

(Original post by ilovecatsforlife)
No idea, I'd probably go for the 'easiest' but I know there aren't short cuts to anything in life, especially with Maths. You're right, but if I did take a gap year because I'd missed my grades, I'd probably want to apply to do A+F at a good uni, and most would want a grade B minimum in GCSE Maths - I'm sure they won't mind the retake once I've explained that I haven't actually sat Higher previously.

I think you're right, I'd do the Higher stuff - which I'm sure I'm capable of, and then attempt AS if I complete it quickly or something. My main goal would be to get an A at least in GCSE Maths, considering I'd only be doing that and 2 A2 papers for a year, then apply to do Econ or A+F.

Have you got any links to sites where I can practise my GCSE Maths skills. I know there is MyMaths but I don't have a login.

This website: http://www.examsolutions.co.uk/

I've used this website for A-level revision purposes in the past, and I'm sure that the GCSE content with be to a similarly high standard as the A-level content.

This website: http://www.mathsrevision.net/

I've never used this website as the above site has always been my preference, but it might be useful to check this site out for the purpose of getting different approaches to the same content.

A Google search would probably bring up a lot of other sites that might be worth checking out as well, as you never know.

I would perhaps recommend that you go to your local library and loan some GCSE Maths textbooks/revision guides as well (ideally written for your exam board when you find out what that'll be, but they're similar so it shouldn't matter too much) as that will reinforce any online learning and mean that you won't be having to shell out lots of pennies on things you're likely to never use once you've finished with your GCSE.

[ilovecatsforlife]

(Original post by Tullia)
This website: http://www.examsolutions.co.uk/

I've used this website for A-level revision purposes in the past, and I'm sure that the GCSE content with be to a similarly high standard as the A-level content.

This website: http://www.mathsrevision.net/

I've never used this website as the above site has always been my preference, but it might be useful to check this site out for the purpose of getting different approaches to the same content.

A Google search would probably bring up a lot of other sites that might be worth checking out as well, as you never know.

I would perhaps recommend that you go to your local library and loan some GCSE Maths textbooks/revision guides as well (ideally written for your exam board when you find out what that'll be, but they're similar so it shouldn't matter too much) as that will reinforce any online learning and mean that you won't be having to shell out lots of pennies on things you're likely to never use once you've finished with your GCSE.

Okay, thanks! I think I will do that. Thinking about it, it may be a blessing in disguise if I missed my grades, as this may be more beneficial. In fact, even if I do get my grades, I may reapply to do something else. Thanks!