No maths GCS or equivalent qualification

Hi all

My daughter is applying to study BSc psychology.

Shehas been in a full IB school that didn't do MYP exams so only IBDP at end of year 13.

She has ADHD and exam anxiety, performs very badly in exams in general compared with her coursework and classroom contributions. In her maths SL exam, she bombed completely. One of the papers (worth 40%), she had an anxiety attack and hardly answered any questions and blanked out. She ended up with a 3. Overall she has 31 pts including 5s in HL Bio and Psych.

Her lovely maths teacher has written an additional reference for her, speaking about her good her internal assessment was and that she is at least a grace C in GCSE maths (the minimum required for her course). While a 3 is like a D, obviously SL maths is harder than GCSE maths so it seems a little unfair that a 4 in SL maths is considered the equivalent (although she'd definitely have got a 4, if not a 5, if she really could demonstrate her knowledge in exams, her internal assessment was a 6).

We also have a letter from her psychiatrist attesting to her learning difficulties and challenges with demonstrating knowledge in exams.

Is she likely to be accepted on this basis? Is the lack of maths formal qualification going to be an issue?

Reply 1

PQ

Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by pettelly

Hi all

My daughter is applying to study BSc psychology.

Shehas been in a full IB school that didn't do MYP exams so only IBDP at end of year 13.

She has ADHD and exam anxiety, performs very badly in exams in general compared with her coursework and classroom contributions. In her maths SL exam, she bombed completely. One of the papers (worth 40%), she had an anxiety attack and hardly answered any questions and blanked out. She ended up with a 3. Overall she has 31 pts including 5s in HL Bio and Psych.

Her lovely maths teacher has written an additional reference for her, speaking about her good her internal assessment was and that she is at least a grace C in GCSE maths (the minimum required for her course). While a 3 is like a D, obviously SL maths is harder than GCSE maths so it seems a little unfair that a 4 in SL maths is considered the equivalent (although she'd definitely have got a 4, if not a 5, if she really could demonstrate her knowledge in exams, her internal assessment was a 6).

We also have a letter from her psychiatrist attesting to her learning difficulties and challenges with demonstrating knowledge in exams.

Is she likely to be accepted on this basis? Is the lack of maths formal qualification going to be an issue?

It’s possible but psychology is a very maths heavy degree.
has she looked into the option of sitting GCSE or iGCSE maths this year? That would be the safest option to meet the entry requirements of the degree she wants to study - and give her the confidence that she’s capable of coping with the maths requirements after her bad experience with her IBDP SL exam

Reply 2

swanseajack1

19

As said Psychology is very Maths heavy. As an example Bath require grade 7 GCSE and most leading universities a 6. Maybe she can retake to get a better grade but personally I think maybe she would be better looking at a less Maths heavy course. Has she though about Sociology as that doesnt have the same Maths requirement.

I helped someone on here several years ago who didnt have GCSE Maths. She ended up applying for History and got offers from Kings and Exeter amongst others with a grade 3 GCSE Maths. Look into those universities if she decides not to do Psychology.

No maths GCS or equivalent qualification

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