Got a U in maths mock exam: any advice?
I'm doing fine in everything else; these are my target grades:
English Language = A
English Literature = A
Mathematics = C?
Science = C
ICT = Merit (B)
History = B
Media = B
Geography = C
Business and Communication = C
R.S (Religious Studies) = C
And I already have a GCSE grade B in Media Single Award
I didn't think at the time that I had done so bad in my maths but I got a U so it's obviously not sinking in!
My maths exam (the real one) is in November. There is going to be another exam in June/July and I'd rather do that. But I asked my teacher and she said she didn't think that was possible. Could it be possible?
It's not fair, some of my friends got better grades and that's because she put them in extra maths during Life Studies but she didn't pick me to do it... she said to my mum I could possibly get a B!
Is it possible to change my exam to June/July as you are only allowed one shot at Maths according to my teacher. And I need a C to get in the college I want because it's the only one that does all the courses I wanted to do.
Anyone have any advice? I've been crying since I found out!
English Language = A
English Literature = A
Mathematics = C?
Science = C
ICT = Merit (B)
History = B
Media = B
Geography = C
Business and Communication = C
R.S (Religious Studies) = C
And I already have a GCSE grade B in Media Single Award
I didn't think at the time that I had done so bad in my maths but I got a U so it's obviously not sinking in!
My maths exam (the real one) is in November. There is going to be another exam in June/July and I'd rather do that. But I asked my teacher and she said she didn't think that was possible. Could it be possible?
It's not fair, some of my friends got better grades and that's because she put them in extra maths during Life Studies but she didn't pick me to do it... she said to my mum I could possibly get a B!
Is it possible to change my exam to June/July as you are only allowed one shot at Maths according to my teacher. And I need a C to get in the college I want because it's the only one that does all the courses I wanted to do.
Anyone have any advice? I've been crying since I found out!
Scroll to see replies
Original post by ALizzieW
I'm doing fine in everything else; these are my target grades:
English Language = A
English Literature = A
Mathematics = C?
Science = C
ICT = Merit (B)
History = B
Media = B
Geography = C
Business and Communication = C
R.S (Religious Studies) = C
And I already have a GCSE grade B in Media Single Award
I didn't think at the time that I had done so bad in my maths but I got a U so it's obviously not sinking in!
My maths exam (the real one) is in November. There is going to be another exam in June/July and I'd rather do that. But I asked my teacher and she said she didn't think that was possible. Could it be possible?
It's not fair, some of my friends got better grades and that's because she put them in extra maths during Life Studies but she didn't pick me to do it... she said to my mum I could possibly get a B!
Is it possible to change my exam to June/July as you are only allowed one shot at Maths according to my teacher. And I need a C to get in the college I want because it's the only one that does all the courses I wanted to do.
Anyone have any advice? I've been crying since I found out!
English Language = A
English Literature = A
Mathematics = C?
Science = C
ICT = Merit (B)
History = B
Media = B
Geography = C
Business and Communication = C
R.S (Religious Studies) = C
And I already have a GCSE grade B in Media Single Award
I didn't think at the time that I had done so bad in my maths but I got a U so it's obviously not sinking in!
My maths exam (the real one) is in November. There is going to be another exam in June/July and I'd rather do that. But I asked my teacher and she said she didn't think that was possible. Could it be possible?
It's not fair, some of my friends got better grades and that's because she put them in extra maths during Life Studies but she didn't pick me to do it... she said to my mum I could possibly get a B!
Is it possible to change my exam to June/July as you are only allowed one shot at Maths according to my teacher. And I need a C to get in the college I want because it's the only one that does all the courses I wanted to do.
Anyone have any advice? I've been crying since I found out!
If you need a C you could ask to be entered for the Foundation Papers.
Reply 4
Firstly: ask to go through your paper with your teacher. This should tell you what things you are going wrong on. How many questions did you answer? Was it mainly arithmetic errors or lack of understanding, or both? What have you been getting in the class homework?
Practice is key with maths. My advice is to find a good textbook, and answer as many questions as possible before the exam, focussing on any problem areas. Maybe make a table of the syllabus and cross things off. Nearer the time, do as many past papers as you can.
Remember: It's better to know one thing well than two things not so well. As Arketec says, make sure you can do the easier things first, then move on to the harder things. If you get stuck whilst practicing, do NOT leave the question out, go back to the basics and work out what the problem is. Then repeat until you can do it every time.
As far as I know your teacher is lying - you should be able to retake maths (though some universities don't like resits, but that's mainly for A-level), and you should be able to do it in June / July. You should check with your individual exam board, and perhaps contact your exams officer / head of maths. Meanwhile, work as hard as you can. Hope it goes well.
Practice is key with maths. My advice is to find a good textbook, and answer as many questions as possible before the exam, focussing on any problem areas. Maybe make a table of the syllabus and cross things off. Nearer the time, do as many past papers as you can.
Remember: It's better to know one thing well than two things not so well. As Arketec says, make sure you can do the easier things first, then move on to the harder things. If you get stuck whilst practicing, do NOT leave the question out, go back to the basics and work out what the problem is. Then repeat until you can do it every time.
As far as I know your teacher is lying - you should be able to retake maths (though some universities don't like resits, but that's mainly for A-level), and you should be able to do it in June / July. You should check with your individual exam board, and perhaps contact your exams officer / head of maths. Meanwhile, work as hard as you can. Hope it goes well.
Original post by ALizzieW
My maths exam (the real one) is in November. There is going to be another exam in June/July and I'd rather do that. But I asked my teacher and she said she didn't think that was possible. Could it be possible?
Is it possible to change my exam to June/July as you are only allowed one shot at Maths according to my teacher. And I need a C to get in the college I want because it's the only one that does all the courses I wanted to do.
Anyone have any advice? I've been crying since I found out!
Don't panic and do get your parents involved in the decision, you are clearly not ready for a November exam and should be given the chance to take it in the summer. You need to work with your teacher to understand what went wrong in your mock revision and work hard to achieve the B they think you capable of.
Schools are in a panic because the government changed the rules this week meaning only the first result you achieve counts towards the schools performance statistics. This does not mean you can't resit but may mean they won't pay for it.
It would be better for you and for the school to wait and your parents should insist on that.
Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by ALizzieW
I didn't think at the time that I had done so bad in my maths but I got a U so it's obviously not sinking in!
My maths exam (the real one) is in November. There is going to be another exam in June/July and I'd rather do that. But I asked my teacher and she said she didn't think that was possible. Could it be possible?
Is it possible to change my exam to June/July as you are only allowed one shot at Maths according to my teacher.
As the earlier posters said, work with your teacher(s) to identify your weaknesses and where you made mistakes, and get plenty of practice in those areas.
You need the maximum amount of time to overcome your difficulties, so a summer exam sitting makes absolute sense in your case. There is no limit to re-takes - the only factors are ones that involve school league tables - so don't worry about taking the exam next summer, because even if things don't go according to plan you will still have the opportunity to put things right
Reply 8
Use mymaths.co.uk I've found, when tutoring, that it's actually a pretty good site
Reply 9
How did you manage to get a U? Did you skip most questions and not revise anything?
Edit: I obviously didn't mean anything rude by this. I want to know how OP got the grade so I can advise on how to improve it..
Edit: I obviously didn't mean anything rude by this. I want to know how OP got the grade so I can advise on how to improve it..
(edited 11 years ago)
I mirror the above posts, it takes effort to get a U in GCSE maths...provided you put some sort of work in.
Posted from TSR Mobile
Posted from TSR Mobile
Reply 11
ALizzieW
OP
They literally told us a week before and I've only just moved maths class because I was struggling. Also, I can't ask for help off the Head of Maths because she IS the Head of Maths. And no, I answered most of the questions. I spoke to my teacher today and she even said that some of the work in it we hadn't done and it was all grade C.
Only one person got a C in the class, the rest got either E or U.
So I can DEFINITELY retake it if I fail?
Only one person got a C in the class, the rest got either E or U.
So I can DEFINITELY retake it if I fail?
Original post by ALizzieW
They literally told us a week before and I've only just moved maths class because I was struggling. Also, I can't ask for help off the Head of Maths because she IS the Head of Maths. And no, I answered most of the questions. I spoke to my teacher today and she even said that some of the work in it we hadn't done and it was all grade C.
Only one person got a C in the class, the rest got either E or U.
So I can DEFINITELY retake it if I fail?
Only one person got a C in the class, the rest got either E or U.
So I can DEFINITELY retake it if I fail?
What exam are you doing, with what exam board
Reply 13
ALizzieW
OP
Original post by TenOfThem
What exam are you doing, with what exam board
I am doing the AQA Higher TierMath - my maths teacher is determined for no one in her class to do Foundation Tier.
Original post by ALizzieW
I am doing the AQA Higher TierMath - my maths teacher is determined for no one in her class to do Foundation Tier.
Why would you want to dod foundation?
What grade do you want a C or a B
Reply 15
Do past papers, that's the only way you will get better and be able to monitor your progress. Plus, the same questions tend to come up time and time again.
Reply 16
ALizzieW
OP
Well I don't want to do Higher Tier because on the mock Miss took them out and instead added more C grade questions which I struggled with. So it seems it'll be much harder with A grade questions. It's harder to get a C on Foundation Tier but aren't the questions easier and what does it matter either way as long as I get my C? That's why I mentioned about Foundation Tier paper.
Also, I've been told that about questions popping up so thanks, I'll look into it.
Anyway, do you think it's possible if I ask her (and maybe bring my parents in) that she'll put me on the June/July paper? What is this new law affecting Maths GCSE? It's so confusing. Everyone at my school is saying, "Oh god, you only have one chance to get a C or that's your final grade!" Is that really true or is it possible to take the resit?
Also, I've been told that about questions popping up so thanks, I'll look into it.
Anyway, do you think it's possible if I ask her (and maybe bring my parents in) that she'll put me on the June/July paper? What is this new law affecting Maths GCSE? It's so confusing. Everyone at my school is saying, "Oh god, you only have one chance to get a C or that's your final grade!" Is that really true or is it possible to take the resit?
Reply 17
Original post by ALizzieW
I'm doing fine in everything else; these are my target grades:
English Language = A
English Literature = A
Mathematics = C?
Science = C
ICT = Merit (B)
History = B
Media = B
Geography = C
Business and Communication = C
R.S (Religious Studies) = C
And I already have a GCSE grade B in Media Single Award
I didn't think at the time that I had done so bad in my maths but I got a U so it's obviously not sinking in!
My maths exam (the real one) is in November. There is going to be another exam in June/July and I'd rather do that. But I asked my teacher and she said she didn't think that was possible. Could it be possible?
It's not fair, some of my friends got better grades and that's because she put them in extra maths during Life Studies but she didn't pick me to do it... she said to my mum I could possibly get a B!
Is it possible to change my exam to June/July as you are only allowed one shot at Maths according to my teacher. And I need a C to get in the college I want because it's the only one that does all the courses I wanted to do.
Anyone have any advice? I've been crying since I found out!
English Language = A
English Literature = A
Mathematics = C?
Science = C
ICT = Merit (B)
History = B
Media = B
Geography = C
Business and Communication = C
R.S (Religious Studies) = C
And I already have a GCSE grade B in Media Single Award
I didn't think at the time that I had done so bad in my maths but I got a U so it's obviously not sinking in!
My maths exam (the real one) is in November. There is going to be another exam in June/July and I'd rather do that. But I asked my teacher and she said she didn't think that was possible. Could it be possible?
It's not fair, some of my friends got better grades and that's because she put them in extra maths during Life Studies but she didn't pick me to do it... she said to my mum I could possibly get a B!
Is it possible to change my exam to June/July as you are only allowed one shot at Maths according to my teacher. And I need a C to get in the college I want because it's the only one that does all the courses I wanted to do.
Anyone have any advice? I've been crying since I found out!
You're allowed to change it to June I've changed mine to then because I don't think I'm ready yet
Reply 18
Maths is all about practice. Set a timetable and prioritise maths and then follow your GCSE textbook closely doing all the examples and all the questions in the exercises. Once you are through with a topic or a set of topics, to give yourself extra practice do past paper questions or you could do the entire book and then proceed to practice past paper questions. Either way, I found doing past paper questions were different and somewhat more challenging that the textbook questions. Don't fret, you can turn that U into an A or even an A* -- all you need is practice. Good luck.
Original post by ALizzieW
What is this new law affecting Maths GCSE? It's so confusing. Everyone at my school is saying, "Oh god, you only have one chance to get a C or that's your final grade!" Is that really true or is it possible to take the resit?
Calm down
There is no "law" preventing you resitting to get a higher grade if you want to.
What's changed is that if people take the exam more than once, then it's only the first result that counts in the school league tables. It doesn't affect students in any way - it's a rule to stop misguided schools and teachers trying to manipulate the league tables with multiple exam entries etc.
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