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Shamed for not being able to tell the time

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What maths qualifications do you have? As most university courses won’t let you in without maths and English at gcse 5 or c? So you must be able to do maths to get those?
Maybe see a private maths tutor about the time. Or pay a maths student to tutor you? If it’s a clear disability related thing you can get specialised help for that via the gp. And academic support should be able to assist with dyslexia and related issues.
firstly ignore all the negative comments on here - not everyone has to understand every aspect of maths.

secondly, there’s loooaddss of worksheets/videos etc. online which you can use! I’ll link some for you if you want, just lmk. use them and if you don’t understand ask someone for help! (you can message me/someone else if you feel too uncomfortable posting it onto the forum itself).

Also just some general pointers:
- Quarter to = 15 minutes to the next hour so X:45
- Half Past = 30 minutes from the current hour so X:30
- Quarter Past = 15 minutes from the current hour so X:15

It works the same way for things like “10 past” or “25 to”. I hope this makes sense - sorry I’m not the best at explaining things :smile:
The majority of schools now use digital clocks in exam halls because so many students can't tell the time with an analogue one. This wasn't true 10 years ago so it much be down to lack of practice rather than an inability.

It's just pattern recognition so I don't think it's linked to dyscalculia. Practise using some of the techniques suggested above and change your phone clock to show an analogue clock until you become confident. With a bit of exposure you'll be fine.
(edited 3 years ago)
Original post by Anonymous
firstly ignore all the negative comments on here - not everyone has to understand every aspect of maths.

secondly, there’s loooaddss of worksheets/videos etc. online which you can use! I’ll link some for you if you want, just lmk. use them and if you don’t understand ask someone for help! (you can message me/someone else if you feel too uncomfortable posting it onto the forum itself).

Also just some general pointers:
- Quarter to = 15 minutes to the next hour so X:45
- Half Past = 30 minutes from the current hour so X:30
- Quarter Past = 15 minutes from the current hour so X:15

It works the same way for things like “10 past” or “25 to”. I hope this makes sense - sorry I’m not the best at explaining things :smile:

PRSOM
I’ve been assessed for dyscalculia and they said I didn’t have it, but I definitely have a few of the signs. I have an A in GCSE maths but still struggle with certain things, including telling the time. And no, it’s not as simple as “just watch a YouTube video”. I’ve tried learning, and teachers, TAs, parents, etc have tried to teach me.

However, I just wear a digital watch and nobody knows that I can’t read analogue clocks unless I tell them. It really doesn’t cause any issues.

Original post by Compost
The majority of schools now use digital clocks in exam halls because so many students can't tell the time with an analogue one. This wasn't true 10 years ago so it much be down to lack of practice rather than an inability.

It's just pattern recognition so I don't think it's linked to dyscalculia. Practise using some of the techniques suggested above and change your phone clock to show an analogue clock until you become confident. With a bit of exposure you'll be fine.

Difficulty with pattern recognition is one of the main signs of dyscalculia, so I don’t know why it wouldn’t be linked?
How can you arrive anywhere on time if you can't tell the time?

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