Can I do Maths A-Level with a B at GCSE

Gonna be honest, everyone in my A-level Maths class has an A* at GCSE so if you only got a B you're gonna have to work like a bastard

not a good idea ...

Not going to lie, not exactly the most useful answer, why is it not a good idea

It's definately possible to do A Level Maths with a B in GCSE. I was in 2nd set for GCSE Maths, and we were predicted to get at the most an A, however half of the A*s in my school came from 2nd set - myself included (it felt good to match set 1 who were studing Further Maths )

However, I have seen people who got As in Maths GCSE struggle and eventually drop out at A Level. This was mostly due to their work ethic however, in our free lessons they would just not complete set work. If you have a good work ethic and willing to work hard then there is no reason not to take A Level Maths with a B grade at GCSE .

The requirements to do A-level maths are usually a B at GCSE. The grade at GCSE doesn't really tell you much about ability though because some schools don't teach everything and some schools don't teach anything. You're best off studying some AS content and seeing how you go(either self-study some now or wait until you start school/college).

edit: While you're asking about maths, the same applies to physics in terms of the maths required.

I'm doing AS Maths and I got a B at GCSE - first few topics are tricky in C1 without the A/A* GCSE stuff but once you learn those then it's fine. I actually was in the same situation as you - set 2 - only expected to achieve a B - wasn't even taught the A/A* stuff. You won't fail but the first like month is quite hard. Good Luck!

They did the same thing with Set 2 in my school. I believe you can do Maths because there are some people in my Sixth Form doing Maths who got C's.

Title says it all really, but will add some background info!


So I got a B at GCSE in Maths. I was in the second set (next set up being the top), in which the teacher said that because we were the second set we expect everyone to ONLY achieve a B, to which they barely taught us anything harder than B grade. Which personally I thought was ridiculous but at the time I really did't care (definitely don't have that attitude now!)

I've always enjoyed maths and found it quite simple but when it came to sitting exams for GCSE Maths I didn't bother doing anything for it, I didn't do any past papers or practicing, I just went off of memory. I unfortunately had the same attitude towards my other GCSEs too and went off of memory.

Surprisingly I came out with some good GCSEs 10 A*-C, the most important for me being A* in Chemistry, History, A in Physics, Biology, B in Maths, these are the ones I'm considering for A-levels.

FYI - I have had to take 2 years out of education due to ill health and hence why I'm posting this in March and not sometime after results day

because you will struggle as the odds are heavily stacked against you.

I completely understand that, but I have 4/5 months to make up any gaps I have as I was never given the opportunity to learn the A/A* stuff at GCSE as the teacher chose to not bother teaching it to us and for my poor attitude for not self teaching or revising back then.

I can guarantee I will struggle with certain things not denying that as I wont understand everything 100% straight away but there is nothing hard work and right attitude can solve...well at least that is what I think haha :P





Yeah as you would be able to guess I really regret doing that and not revising and teaching myself the bits I was never taught, maybe I should resit the GCSE maths exam

Set 2 only aiming for a B? In my set 2 they tell us that we're pretty much set 1 but we can't have 60 people in a class can we?

typically for A-level you need A in maths but it depends on your college/sixth form. probably have to do an entrance test.

Title says it all really, but will add some background info!


So I got a B at GCSE in Maths. I was in the second set (next set up being the top), in which the teacher said that because we were the second set we expect everyone to ONLY achieve a B, to which they barely taught us anything harder than B grade. Which personally I thought was ridiculous but at the time I really did't care (definitely don't have that attitude now!)

I've always enjoyed maths and found it quite simple but when it came to sitting exams for GCSE Maths I didn't bother doing anything for it, I didn't do any past papers or practicing, I just went off of memory. I unfortunately had the same attitude towards my other GCSEs too and went off of memory.

Surprisingly I came out with some good GCSEs 10 A*-C, the most important for me being A* in Chemistry, History, A in Physics, Biology, B in Maths, these are the ones I'm considering for A-levels.

FYI - I have had to take 2 years out of education due to ill health and hence why I'm posting this in March and not sometime after results day

You have to realise from your colleges prospective you haven't been able to demonstrate your ability in maths at a suitably high level, all of which is compounded by the fact its two years since you've taken GCSE maths. Most places will want an A for maths at AS and in general people who get bellow this tend not to do well and drop the subject after poor AS results. I think the fact that you haven't been taught A* maths is worrying as well because those skills are essential and taken as a given when starting c1/2, your college probably would be more lenient if your poor grade was down to illness or other circumstances rather than just plainly not being taught the subject.

Essentially when your taught AS maths everyone in that class will be of a certain standard and the tutors,as a result of this, won't account for people who are bellow this when teaching. You have to prove your ability rather than your college second guessing your potential, which will be hampered by your limit of mathematical knowledge.

It's still possible to enter as an independent candidate for GCSE maths (If you asked your college they may let you take it there this summer), which would make your college much more confident in allowing you to take maths next and achieving an A* isn't particularly difficult with proper revision.

you need to start revising for exams, and doing homework when set, instead of at the last minute. Otherwise uni is going to come as a big shock to you, i'm afraid to say!!

Sadly I realised this way too late for my GCSEs, as I've had a few health issue's, it's definitely changed me and I need to knuckle down :P

can you resit them at college?

I'm hoping I can, I would be a little confused if I wasn't able to, but if I have the option I would happily do so!

Yeah, although I may not have been taught certain parts it's also partially my fault too for not trying harder and teaching myself it. I completely understand where any school/college would be coming from when they say they'd be skeptical. But yes I'm definitely considering resitting the Maths GCSE exams to prove I can do it.