Retaking GCSE Maths at age 23

Hi all, so keep it short but back when i was in school i failed by GCSE maths and got a D, i never re-sat them, however now later in life i'm regretting that decision and I've applied to re-sit my GCSE maths at college. It's 1 night a week doing foundation M2-M6 papers. I want to get my life back on track and possibly university however a lot will only take GCSE Grade C. Basically what i'm asking is has anyone got any tips for me on revision and has anyone done this their self? i'm working and doing my last year in an HND but i'm willing to knuckle down and try get this done.

First off, you should be mega proud for getting back into this. I got a 7 at GCSE and was pretty chuffed with that (equivalent of an old A grade) and here's my advice:

1. Practice papers. The only decider of your grade is going to be an exam, so you need to get good at doing them.
2. Don't cheat yourself. If you find something boring or tedious don't avoid it. That's where you're going to lose your marks. Practice it more until you enjoy it. If you didn't know something in a practice paper you're going to spend the next week committing yourself to doing only that.
3. YouTube. Watch as many different videos of the same mathmatical concept that you can on things you don't undertsand. You'll get it eventually.
4. Flashcards. Use these for remembering formulas, equations, and definitions, and especially for the circle theorms.
5. CGP book. Buy the revision guides and as many practice books you can afford. You're going to do these before you get started with your practice papers.

The thing is about maths is if you practice anything enough times it all actually becomes really easy.

I wish you the best and good luck with everthing. Reply for any more questions!

Hi
I haven't been in your exact position but I can give you some general revision tips

Firstly, find out about your board (sounds like CCEA from the paper names but I'm not sure). There might be a good revision guide you could get for fairly cheap and you also need to know your board so you can look at past papers. If it is CCEA then bitesize has a section on it I think and they generally explain things very concisely with lots of examples which is good if you don't have much time to spend.
If you're out of practise with maths I would definitely say focus on getting fast and reliable on the basics - rearranging equations, working with fractions, finding percentages, finding areas of shapes - that sort of thing. You can pick up a lot of marks by consistently getting those simpler questions right.
Once you're feeling reasonably confident with something off bitesize/whatever revision book try to find a past paper question (preferably from your board) on it and apply it in that context.
Do as many past papers as possible (available on the board's website) in the run up to the actual papers so that you're used to the layout and the way the questions are asked.
Well done for committing to a resit - I know a couple people that resat from 18 year olds to 40 year olds and none of them have regretted it. Good luck!

I feel you bro, I have just finished retaking maths at 18 during my a levels. I got a 5 in year 11 but needed a 6 for university. My advice is to use mathsgenie.com they have everything you need in order of grades, they also have past papers and exam questions.

I really wouldn't sweat it though, It isn't as bad as you might think!
good luck.

Basically what i'm asking is has anyone got any tips for me on revision and has anyone done this their self? i'm working and doing my last year in an HND but i'm willing to knuckle down and try get this done.

Hi all, so keep it short but back when i was in school i failed by GCSE maths and got a D, i never re-sat them, however now later in life i'm regretting that decision and I've applied to re-sit my GCSE maths at college. It's 1 night a week doing foundation M2-M6 papers. I want to get my life back on track and possibly university however a lot will only take GCSE Grade C. Basically what i'm asking is has anyone got any tips for me on revision and has anyone done this their self? i'm working and doing my last year in an HND but i'm willing to knuckle down and try get this done.