mature student in need of some advice.

So, I am a mature student who wants to eventually study English Literature and History as a joint honors. Now, the biggest hurdle that I am currently facing is my math GCSE exam, which I tanked the second paper due to having a severe anxiety attack during the test and freezing on questions I would have been able to answer if I weren't in exam conditions. Paper one I was calm, but I don't think the reality of it being an exam hit me until paper two came around.

For reference, I am sitting the higher-tier paper and I've had minimal support during my classes. The vast majority of grade 6-9 topics have been self-learned through watching videos and taking the mini quizzes on Khan Academy (the site I rely on for revision as they explain it so clearly with diagrams and stuff). I am a little worried that I won't pass it this time around, because of how badly I did on paper two, so the pressure is on to try and score at least 60 marks on paper three.

The algebra and geometry content isn't an issue for me. My biggest weakness is the pure number content and arithmetic. I've never been competent at it, I have always struggled with those aspects ever since I was a kid. So no matter how much I study pure number topics, I've never been able to grasp it. Unlike algebra where I can see the patterns and the method for solving said equations. Someone mentioned that the reason I'm good at algebra is because I am essentially taking my strongest subject(English) and weaving it into my weakest(math). One of my tutors suspects I may have dyscalculia, but I wouldn't know how to go about getting tested for it.

Now, for September I have applied to three colleges, St Helens, Liverpool City College (they also offer a levels but I am not sure if they have them for mature students), and UCEN for their Access to HE Humanities(English literature, history and sociology) program.

St Helens requires both math and English at GCSE. For the record, I have a grade 8/A* in English, which I obtained last year(I was predicted a B/6 in English last year and came out two grades higher). Liverpool offers a pre-access course where I could sit a math qualification alongside Science GCSES(Chem, bio & physics), I am strongly considering that option in the event I do not pass this year, but Liverpool has said they'd let me onto their Humanities course, because of my grade in English. UCEN/Manchester have given me an unconditional offer, which I found a little odd, because I don't have my math GCSE yet.

One option I was considering next year is, if I have to resit my math GCSE again, I would look into sitting an A level in English literature alongside it(through Learn Direct). Now as I said before, I aim to get into a Russell Group uni to study English Literature / History; however, I am beginning to think I am aiming too high, because I can't even pass math.

My uni choices were narrowed down to the following:
York, Bristol, Nottingham, Chester, and Exeter.

Now, for Bristol, I did recall reading they do consider GCSEs when sifting through applicants, which is why I am strongly considering sitting math alongside my science GCSEs next year if I do not pass this year. Would bringing my grades up in the sciences be worthwhile?

At this moment in time, I am not sure what to do. How can I push through this and not feel perpetually discouraged? It's beginning to feel like my aspirations are out of reach.

Reply 1

eis20

Original post by zcphyr

So, I am a mature student who wants to eventually study English Literature and History as a joint honors. Now, the biggest hurdle that I am currently facing is my math GCSE exam, which I tanked the second paper due to having a severe anxiety attack during the test and freezing on questions I would have been able to answer if I weren't in exam conditions. Paper one I was calm, but I don't think the reality of it being an exam hit me until paper two came around.
For reference, I am sitting the higher-tier paper and I've had minimal support during my classes. The vast majority of grade 6-9 topics have been self-learned through watching videos and taking the mini quizzes on Khan Academy (the site I rely on for revision as they explain it so clearly with diagrams and stuff). I am a little worried that I won't pass it this time around, because of how badly I did on paper two, so the pressure is on to try and score at least 60 marks on paper three.
The algebra and geometry content isn't an issue for me. My biggest weakness is the pure number content and arithmetic. I've never been competent at it, I have always struggled with those aspects ever since I was a kid. So no matter how much I study pure number topics, I've never been able to grasp it. Unlike algebra where I can see the patterns and the method for solving said equations. Someone mentioned that the reason I'm good at algebra is because I am essentially taking my strongest subject(English) and weaving it into my weakest(math). One of my tutors suspects I may have dyscalculia, but I wouldn't know how to go about getting tested for it.
Now, for September I have applied to three colleges, St Helens, Liverpool City College (they also offer a levels but I am not sure if they have them for mature students), and UCEN for their Access to HE Humanities(English literature, history and sociology) program.
St Helens requires both math and English at GCSE. For the record, I have a grade 8/A* in English, which I obtained last year(I was predicted a B/6 in English last year and came out two grades higher). Liverpool offers a pre-access course where I could sit a math qualification alongside Science GCSES(Chem, bio & physics), I am strongly considering that option in the event I do not pass this year, but Liverpool has said they'd let me onto their Humanities course, because of my grade in English. UCEN/Manchester have given me an unconditional offer, which I found a little odd, because I don't have my math GCSE yet.
One option I was considering next year is, if I have to resit my math GCSE again, I would look into sitting an A level in English literature alongside it(through Learn Direct). Now as I said before, I aim to get into a Russell Group uni to study English Literature / History; however, I am beginning to think I am aiming too high, because I can't even pass math.
My uni choices were narrowed down to the following:
York, Bristol, Nottingham, Chester, and Exeter.
Now, for Bristol, I did recall reading they do consider GCSEs when sifting through applicants, which is why I am strongly considering sitting math alongside my science GCSEs next year if I do not pass this year. Would bringing my grades up in the sciences be worthwhile?
At this moment in time, I am not sure what to do. How can I push through this and not feel perpetually discouraged? It's beginning to feel like my aspirations are out of reach.

Hi There,
I’m not sure why you need GCSE maths as a mature student applying for an English lit degree. I’m a mature student without maths applying to all Russell Group universities for modern languages. None of them require maths GCSE. They want an A level in a language and an Access to HE diploma, which I’m doing in history. I would suggest that you contact the universities you want to apply to and ask them exactly which qualifications are needed as a mature student. Hope this helps.

Reply 2

zcphyr

Original post by eis20

I think it's because some access to HE diplomas at some colleges stipulate a grade 4 in English and Math to get onto the course. I know some colleges allow you to sit GCSE math alongside it. I did resit math last year alongside my English GCSE and got a 3 in math. I will email the universities I am interested in and see what they say about the math thing.

I know Manchester university and university of Liverpool stipulate math and english at a grade 4/c in their entry requirements. Those are two I would have considered applying to if math wasn't a hurdle due to them being commutable via bus and/or train from my location. I will just have to see how paper 3 goes on Monday; however, I am not confident it will go well at all.

Reply 3

Compyjo

Will they allow a pass in Level 2 Functional Skills Maths as an equivalent?

I got Uni entry at 2 places with this. A number of employers also accepted it as a, GCSE equivalent.

I taught myself it from books and flashcards and sat it online. The exam cost me £50.

It is practical maths so while it covers percentages, fractions etc it doesn't involve algebra. It focuses on things like time, distance, weight, graphs, shapes and so forth.

Reply 4

Compyjo

Look into whether Level 2 Functional skills maths would be acceptable as a gcse equivalent.

I sat my exam online for £50 after self teaching from books.

2 universities and a number of employers accepted it as gsce maths equivalent.

Reply 5

zcphyr

Original post by Compyjo

Will they allow a pass in Level 2 Functional Skills Maths as an equivalent?
I got Uni entry at 2 places with this. A number of employers also accepted it as a, GCSE equivalent.
I taught myself it from books and flashcards and sat it online. The exam cost me £50.
It is practical maths so while it covers percentages, fractions etc it doesn't involve algebra. It focuses on things like time, distance, weight, graphs, shapes and so forth.

I could look into functional skills level 2. I do have it at level 1, which took me multiple attempts even to pass. Topics such as time, and money questions are the topics I struggle with unless I can use algebra in my calculations. Admittedly, algebra has become a bit of a crutch for me where math is concerned(I rely on it heavily), particularly when I do look into methods to solve a question(even something that can be solved numerically) with the use of algebra.

I know some unis I've looked at only ask for English at GCSE. So I suspect functional skills could be something I can look into if my exams fall flat.

When I sat the exam last year in the foundation tier, I found the questions at the back of the paper(the questions that overlap with the higher paper) much easier than the questions at the start of the exam paper. My math tutor has been puzzled as to why I easily do a question that involves inverse and composite functions but struggle with a question involving the type of math used to work out the best value for money.

Reply 6

okayoverhaul

Original post by zcphyr

So, I am a mature student who wants to eventually study English Literature and History as a joint honors. Now, the biggest hurdle that I am currently facing is my math GCSE exam, which I tanked the second paper due to having a severe anxiety attack during the test and freezing on questions I would have been able to answer if I weren't in exam conditions. Paper one I was calm, but I don't think the reality of it being an exam hit me until paper two came around.
For reference, I am sitting the higher-tier paper and I've had minimal support during my classes. The vast majority of grade 6-9 topics have been self-learned through watching videos and taking the mini quizzes on Khan Academy (the site I rely on for revision as they explain it so clearly with diagrams and stuff). I am a little worried that I won't pass it this time around, because of how badly I did on paper two, so the pressure is on to try and score at least 60 marks on paper three.
The algebra and geometry content isn't an issue for me. My biggest weakness is the pure number content and arithmetic. I've never been competent at it, I have always struggled with those aspects ever since I was a kid. So no matter how much I study pure number topics, I've never been able to grasp it. Unlike algebra where I can see the patterns and the method for solving said equations. Someone mentioned that the reason I'm good at algebra is because I am essentially taking my strongest subject(English) and weaving it into my weakest(math). One of my tutors suspects I may have dyscalculia, but I wouldn't know how to go about getting tested for it.
Now, for September I have applied to three colleges, St Helens, Liverpool City College (they also offer a levels but I am not sure if they have them for mature students), and UCEN for their Access to HE Humanities(English literature, history and sociology) program.
St Helens requires both math and English at GCSE. For the record, I have a grade 8/A* in English, which I obtained last year(I was predicted a B/6 in English last year and came out two grades higher). Liverpool offers a pre-access course where I could sit a math qualification alongside Science GCSES(Chem, bio & physics), I am strongly considering that option in the event I do not pass this year, but Liverpool has said they'd let me onto their Humanities course, because of my grade in English. UCEN/Manchester have given me an unconditional offer, which I found a little odd, because I don't have my math GCSE yet.
One option I was considering next year is, if I have to resit my math GCSE again, I would look into sitting an A level in English literature alongside it(through Learn Direct). Now as I said before, I aim to get into a Russell Group uni to study English Literature / History; however, I am beginning to think I am aiming too high, because I can't even pass math.
My uni choices were narrowed down to the following:
York, Bristol, Nottingham, Chester, and Exeter.
Now, for Bristol, I did recall reading they do consider GCSEs when sifting through applicants, which is why I am strongly considering sitting math alongside my science GCSEs next year if I do not pass this year. Would bringing my grades up in the sciences be worthwhile?
At this moment in time, I am not sure what to do. How can I push through this and not feel perpetually discouraged? It's beginning to feel like my aspirations are out of reach.