Will sixth form accept 1 Grade below A level requirements

2

I'm aiming to join Solihull Sixth Form for A-levels in Maths, Physics, and Business, all requiring a Grade 6. Physics mandates a Grade 6 in Maths, but what if I score a Grade 5 in maths? Will they still accept me? My GCSE’s start in a week and i know i can get a 7 in business and physics. Will the sixth form make an exception because they can see I am bright in business and physics which are both math based subjects. I am in foundation maths hence why I can only get a 5

Reply 1

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by Upris3

I'm aiming to join Solihull Sixth Form for A-levels in Maths, Physics, and Business, all requiring a Grade 6. Physics mandates a Grade 6 in Maths, but what if I score a Grade 5 in maths? Will they still accept me? My GCSE’s start in a week and i know i can get a 7 in business and physics. Will the sixth form make an exception because they can see I am bright in business and physics which are both math based subjects. I am in foundation maths hence why I can only get a 5

In all likelihood, no. They'll probably take the view that if your current school didn't think you were suited to higher tier for Mathematics, then that might mean that A level Maths and/or Physics would be too much of a stretch. (That's despite your predicted grade 7 in Physics and Business.)

To give yourself the best shot you can, do as well in your Maths GCSE that you can. So rather than just aiming to hit the grade 5 boundary, try to surpass it by as much as possible. If you then show them the mark you got, you might be able to persuade them that you should have been in higher tier all along, and if you had been you'd have been able to meet their grade 6 requirement.

Reply 2

Upris3

OP

2

Original post by DataVenia

In all likelihood, no. They'll probably take the view that if your current school didn't think you were suited to higher tier for Mathematics, then that might mean that A level Maths and/or Physics would be too much of a stretch. (That's despite your predicted grade 7 in Physics and Business.)
To give yourself the best shot you can, do as well in your Maths GCSE that you can. So rather than just aiming to hit the grade 5 boundary, try to surpass it by as much as possible. If you then show them the mark you got, you might be able to persuade them that you should have been in higher tier all along, and if you had been you'd have been able to meet their grade 6 requirement.

Hello, unfortunately I got moved down in maths to foundation tier not because of my capabilities but rather because I had missed a paper in one of my mock exams. There was no more space in the higher tier so they couldn’t move me back up even though I got a grade 5 in my most recent mock. I know I can easily get a 5 in foundation which is the highest grade you can get. But wouldn’t the college see that if I’m managing to get a 7 in physics even though they require a 6 and getting a 7 in business even though they require a 6 (both having math fundamentals) that if I were in higher tier id be capable of getting a 6

Reply 3

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by Upris3

Hello, unfortunately I got moved down in maths to foundation tier not because of my capabilities but rather because I had missed a paper in one of my mock exams. There was no more space in the higher tier so they couldn’t move me back up even though I got a grade 5 in my most recent mock. I know I can easily get a 5 in foundation which is the highest grade you can get. But wouldn’t the college see that if I’m managing to get a 7 in physics even though they require a 6 and getting a 7 in business even though they require a 6 (both having math fundamentals) that if I were in higher tier id be capable of getting a 6

Potentially, but you'd also need to ace GCSE Maths too (i.e. significantly exceed the grade 5 boundary). Even then, they might take a very hard-line approach, and simply not accept your explanation / justification.

Reply 4

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

20

Original post by upris3

I'm aiming to join Solihull Sixth Form for A-levels in Maths, Physics, and Business, all requiring a Grade 6. Physics mandates a Grade 6 in Maths, but what if I score a Grade 5 in maths? Will they still accept me? My GCSE’s start in a week and i know i can get a 7 in business and physics. Will the sixth form make an exception because they can see I am bright in business and physics which are both math based subjects. I am in foundation maths hence why I can only get a 5

I would say it depends on the school, are they likely to be oversubscribed for example? If this is the case then they might be less lenient, also if you’re getting a 5 in Maths atm are you sure a level is right for you? What grades would you be getting if you could complete the higher papers? If I were you I’d consider emailing the sixth form and saying that your school has put you in foundation for logistical reasons due to issues around your mock grade and then not having enough spaces for you to sit the higher paper.

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 5

Upris3

OP

2

Original post by DerDracologe

I would say it depends on the school, are they likely to be oversubscribed for example? If this is the case then they might be less lenient, also if you’re getting a 5 in Maths atm are you sure a level is right for you? What grades would you be getting if you could complete the higher papers? If I were you I’d consider emailing the sixth form and saying that your school has put you in foundation for logistical reasons due to issues around your mock grade and then not having enough spaces for you to sit the higher paper.

Hello, I have done past GCSE papers at home for maths and I have easily scored a grade 6.

Reply 6

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

20

Original post by Upris3

Hello, I have done past GCSE papers at home for maths and I have easily scored a grade 6.

From that it sounds like you’d manage A level maths, especially if you’re willing to work hard. Again i would suggest contacting the sixth form and explaining your situation, hopefully they will be understanding as from what you’ve said it doesn’t sound like the situation was your fault as your school simply isn’t letting you sit the paper best suited to your ability due to logistical reasons.

Reply 7

Carrotsroom

13

Original post by Upris3

Hello, unfortunately I got moved down in maths to foundation tier not because of my capabilities but rather because I had missed a paper in one of my mock exams. There was no more space in the higher tier so they couldn’t move me back up even though I got a grade 5 in my most recent mock. I know I can easily get a 5 in foundation which is the highest grade you can get. But wouldn’t the college see that if I’m managing to get a 7 in physics even though they require a 6 and getting a 7 in business even though they require a 6 (both having math fundamentals) that if I were in higher tier id be capable of getting a 6

There is a reason why they require certain grades for A-level subjects. A-level Physics is one of the hardest courses there is, and if you don't have the minimum required GCSE grades then you will struggle.
They won't regard business as a maths-based subject, and I'd only use the argument that you're 'bright' in those subjects if you're achieving 8s or 9s, not 7s, unfortunately.
GCSE Physics also only starts you off on the simple side of maths, and the theoretical side of the subject. A-level physics will delve more into the mathematical side, and so many sixth forms will require you to take A-level maths alongside Physics. If this is the case, a 5 in GCSE maths may not be sufficient enough to get you into both courses.

It is frustrating that you couldn't move onto a higher tier, but as the other post said, if you're stuck on foundation tier, most likely they won't take the lack of spaces as a reason. It is unfortunate the system is like this, but unless you can prove to them you have higher maths abilities, such as scoring 8s or 9s in subjects like physics and chemistry, then you have a low chance of being accepted onto the A-level course.

But, do discuss with your sixth form, I know many people who had the chance to sit higher maths GCSEs during sixth form and enrol onto AS programs in their second year.

However, there are always exceptions made but this depends on a school to school and course to course basis that only the sixth form can advise you about.

Reply 8

Kayamarie1

9

Don’t listen to anyone on here. The best way to find out is to ask yourself or ask on the day.I got into my sixth form even though they wanted a 5 in gcse maths for certain subjects and i got a 3 and failed 4 times with a 3. You can always organise something such as doing a levels and re sitting maths gcse (even if u didn’t fail and want to improve from a 5 to 6) alongside your course as that’s what i had to do.

Reply 9

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

20

Original post by Kayamarie1

Don’t listen to anyone on here. The best way to find out is to ask yourself or ask on the day.I got into my sixth form even though they wanted a 5 in gcse maths for certain subjects and i got a 3 and failed 4 times with a 3. You can always organise something such as doing a levels and re sitting maths gcse (even if u didn’t fail and want to improve from a 5 to 6) alongside your course as that’s what i had to do.

I doubt this would be the case for if you want to take maths a level though, resitting the gcse in maths whilst studying for the a level probably wouldn’t be a good idea is what I mean. I definitely agree about asking the sixth form though.

Reply 10

Kayamarie1

9

Original post by DerDracologe

I doubt this would be the case for if you want to take maths a level though, resitting the gcse in maths whilst studying for the a level probably wouldn’t be a good idea is what I mean. I definitely agree about asking the sixth form though.

Honestly, i think they will be fine with a 5 instead of a 6.

Reply 11

Upris3

OP

2

Original post by Kayamarie1

Honestly, i think they will be fine with a 5 instead of a 6.

That’s what I’m saying. I mean from what I hear colleges really only care about the money and your only money to them. I don’t see why they wouldn’t accept someone who got 1 grade below the requirement. I mean I’m hoping I get the following grades and if I do I don’t see why they wouldn’t accept me

English literature: 5/6
English Language: 6/7
Maths: 5
Science: 7,6
Business: 7
History: 7

Reply 12

Leonwilkinson

Original post by Upris3

I'm aiming to join Solihull Sixth Form for A-levels in Maths, Physics, and Business, all requiring a Grade 6. Physics mandates a Grade 6 in Maths, but what if I score a Grade 5 in maths? Will they still accept me? My GCSE’s start in a week and i know i can get a 7 in business and physics. Will the sixth form make an exception because they can see I am bright in business and physics which are both math based subjects. I am in foundation maths hence why I can only get a 5

I am in your exact situation, I had been getting full marks in each maths mock but couldnt move up to higher as it was "too late", and not enough room to let me do the higher tier. So I did foundation Maths and got basically full marks once again. I went to an interview at my sixth form to discuss studying maths a-level and physics a-level and they said no. I start on friday and I am requesting again to switch to a-level maths.

Will sixth form accept 1 Grade below A level requirements

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