A level maths enquiry
recently got my gcse grades back and sadly got a 5 in maths higher 
(i blame this on the fact that i joined the course a bit late so i didn't have enough time to acclimatize towards the new content) and i want to do a level maths because i want to study computer science in uni, but since i got a 5 most sixth forms in my area refuse to let me enter the course, do you guys think its viable to study a level maths privately and enter the exam as a private candidate if so how would i be able to do this
(i blame this on the fact that i joined the course a bit late so i didn't have enough time to acclimatize towards the new content) and i want to do a level maths because i want to study computer science in uni, but since i got a 5 most sixth forms in my area refuse to let me enter the course, do you guys think its viable to study a level maths privately and enter the exam as a private candidate if so how would i be able to do this(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by disgustiscool
recently got my gcse grades back and sadly got a 5 in maths higher (i blame this on the fact that i joined the course a bit late so i didn't have enough time to acclimatize towards the new content) and i want to do a level maths because i want to study computer science in uni, but since i got a 5 most sixth forms in my area refuse to let me enter the course, do you guys think its viable to study a level maths privately and enter the exam as a private candidate if so how would i be able to do this
(i blame this on the fact that i joined the course a bit late so i didn't have enough time to acclimatize towards the new content) and i want to do a level maths because i want to study computer science in uni, but since i got a 5 most sixth forms in my area refuse to let me enter the course, do you guys think its viable to study a level maths privately and enter the exam as a private candidate if so how would i be able to do thisYes, it's viable. Maths is actually one of the better A levels to do privately, and you don't have the issue with practicals that you do with the sciences, and you don't have the issue of not being able to self-mark your own work that you do with essay-based subjects.
You can find local exam centres (schools / colleges) which accept private candidates via this search tool. (Note that they stupidly use the term "GCE" to mean "A level".)
Once you've located an exam centre, just get in touch with them and ask to register as a private candidate. They'll ask for which qualification / exam board / year.
Each exam board also has a web page with information for private candidates, which you should read through.
Note that you can't use your own school/college as the exam centre, as you can't be a private candidate and a non-private candidate at the same exam centre at the same time.
Have you asked local sixth forms if you can join the a level maths course and resit in November?
I think that would be the best way to play it because by then you should have an idea of it you can handle a level maths. However, i will remind you that there is a reason why students who have got a grade 5 are discouraged from doing maths at a level. Of students who get a 5 at gcse and continue to a level, the most common grade they get at the end of year 13 is a U (32% of gcse grade 5 students who managed to finish the a level course got this grade). However, if you think that your lower grade is purely a results of you joining the course later then maybe mention this to sixth forms.
If you do decide to take maths as a private candidate, that would mean doing 4 subjects with one outside of school hours and due to you getting a 5 it would likely be very challenging to be able to do this. However, if you think its your best option go ahead and look for some exam centres in your area.
I think that would be the best way to play it because by then you should have an idea of it you can handle a level maths. However, i will remind you that there is a reason why students who have got a grade 5 are discouraged from doing maths at a level. Of students who get a 5 at gcse and continue to a level, the most common grade they get at the end of year 13 is a U (32% of gcse grade 5 students who managed to finish the a level course got this grade). However, if you think that your lower grade is purely a results of you joining the course later then maybe mention this to sixth forms.
If you do decide to take maths as a private candidate, that would mean doing 4 subjects with one outside of school hours and due to you getting a 5 it would likely be very challenging to be able to do this. However, if you think its your best option go ahead and look for some exam centres in your area.
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by disgustiscool
recently got my gcse grades back and sadly got a 5 in maths higher (i blame this on the fact that i joined the course a bit late so i didn't have enough time to acclimatize towards the new content) and i want to do a level maths because i want to study computer science in uni, but since i got a 5 most sixth forms in my area refuse to let me enter the course, do you guys think its viable to study a level maths privately and enter the exam as a private candidate if so how would i be able to do this
(i blame this on the fact that i joined the course a bit late so i didn't have enough time to acclimatize towards the new content) and i want to do a level maths because i want to study computer science in uni, but since i got a 5 most sixth forms in my area refuse to let me enter the course, do you guys think its viable to study a level maths privately and enter the exam as a private candidate if so how would i be able to do thisI'm in the same boat here,
1.
Can we do A levels privately?
2.
While doing A levels at a sixth form college (not preferred subjects due to less grade), can I parallelly do my preferred 1 or 2 subjects privately?
3.
Will there be any disadvantages if I do an A level privately rather than doing it in a sixth form college? Will Universities consider it as same?
Original post by rekhankita
I'm in the same boat here,
1.
Can we do A levels privately?
2.
While doing A levels at a sixth form college (not preferred subjects due to less grade), can I parallelly do my preferred 1 or 2 subjects privately?
3.
Will there be any disadvantages if I do an A level privately rather than doing it in a sixth form college? Will Universities consider it as same?
1. Yes.
2. Yes, but taking more subjects can quickly lead to lower grades. Also, you should consider why your college aren't allowing you to study the subject there - if that's because they don't think it's in your best interests academically.
3. Disadvantages will depend on the subject. For the sciences, you're likely to want to evidence your ability to do lab work via the "practical endorsement", which can be tricky to arrange as a private candidate. For geography, the same issue arises for field trips. For any subject containing essays, it can be difficult to self mark. For all subjects you need motivation and discipline. Universities will consider them the same.
Original post by DataVenia
1. Yes.
2. Yes, but taking more subjects can quickly lead to lower grades. Also, you should consider why your college aren't allowing you to study the subject there - if that's because they don't think it's in your best interests academically.
3. Disadvantages will depend on the subject. For the sciences, you're likely to want to evidence your ability to do lab work via the "practical endorsement", which can be tricky to arrange as a private candidate. For geography, the same issue arises for field trips. For any subject containing essays, it can be difficult to self mark. For all subjects you need motivation and discipline. Universities will consider them the same.
2. Yes, but taking more subjects can quickly lead to lower grades. Also, you should consider why your college aren't allowing you to study the subject there - if that's because they don't think it's in your best interests academically.
3. Disadvantages will depend on the subject. For the sciences, you're likely to want to evidence your ability to do lab work via the "practical endorsement", which can be tricky to arrange as a private candidate. For geography, the same issue arises for field trips. For any subject containing essays, it can be difficult to self mark. For all subjects you need motivation and discipline. Universities will consider them the same.
for the 3rd point, writing a computer science A level privately, will it have any disadvantages as there won't be any lab as my parents come from an IT background and I would have full knowledge and support from them
Original post by rekhankita
for the 3rd point, writing a computer science A level privately, will it have any disadvantages as there won't be any lab as my parents come from an IT background and I would have full knowledge and support from them
Which exam board will you be using? Have you checked the specification from that exam board to see whether it has any NEA (non-exam assessment) components?
If it does, you would need to ensure that your chosen exam centre are happy to assess your work, and moderate it along with their internal candidates.
Original post by rekhankita
I've done OCR in my GCSE and I would prefer to do the same board for A levels Aswell and it has 20% NEA. Also how do I approach the exam centres and boards. Ik I'm asking many questions, Thank you for helping!
OCR's web page with information for private candidates is here. Amongst other things, it contains a link (the same link I posted above) to help you search for local schools / colleges which accept private candidates.
Each entry in the search results will contain a "More Details >" link. That will provide you details of the subjects they offer at A level (which the search tool stupidly calls GCE), details such as the phone number, and email address, and/or a web address. Sometimes that address will just be to their home page, but sometimes it'll be to a specific page with information for private candidates.
Do check they they offer Computer Science. The few I just checked (at random) didn't - presumably because if the NEA requirement. OCR discuss this as follows: "Your chosen exam centre will be responsible for all aspects of the internal assessment, which includes supervision, authentication and marking. Your host centre can only accept your entry if they are willing to provide you with the opportunity to complete the internal assessment."
One you've found one, you just call them up or drop them an email and say you're interested in registering as a private candidate for OCR Computer Science.
(Make sure you ask them about how they handle the NEA component.)
Original post by DataVenia
OCR's web page with information for private candidates is here. Amongst other things, it contains a link (the same link I posted above) to help you search for local schools / colleges which accept private candidates.
Each entry in the search results will contain a "More Details >" link. That will provide you details of the subjects they offer at A level (which the search tool stupidly calls GCE), details such as the phone number, and email address, and/or a web address. Sometimes that address will just be to their home page, but sometimes it'll be to a specific page with information for private candidates.
Do check they they offer Computer Science. The few I just checked (at random) didn't - presumably because if the NEA requirement. OCR discuss this as follows: "Your chosen exam centre will be responsible for all aspects of the internal assessment, which includes supervision, authentication and marking. Your host centre can only accept your entry if they are willing to provide you with the opportunity to complete the internal assessment."
One you've found one, you just call them up or drop them an email and say you're interested in registering as a private candidate for OCR Computer Science.
(Make sure you ask them about how they handle the NEA component.)
Each entry in the search results will contain a "More Details >" link. That will provide you details of the subjects they offer at A level (which the search tool stupidly calls GCE), details such as the phone number, and email address, and/or a web address. Sometimes that address will just be to their home page, but sometimes it'll be to a specific page with information for private candidates.
Do check they they offer Computer Science. The few I just checked (at random) didn't - presumably because if the NEA requirement. OCR discuss this as follows: "Your chosen exam centre will be responsible for all aspects of the internal assessment, which includes supervision, authentication and marking. Your host centre can only accept your entry if they are willing to provide you with the opportunity to complete the internal assessment."
One you've found one, you just call them up or drop them an email and say you're interested in registering as a private candidate for OCR Computer Science.
(Make sure you ask them about how they handle the NEA component.)
Thank you for the information! It's really helpful
Original post by rekhankita
Thank you for the information! It's really helpful
You're welcome.
Original post by DataVenia
Yes, it's viable. Maths is actually one of the better A levels to do privately, and you don't have the issue with practicals that you do with the sciences, and you don't have the issue of not being able to self-mark your own work that you do with essay-based subjects.
You can find local exam centres (schools / colleges) which accept private candidates via this search tool. (Note that they stupidly use the term "GCE" to mean "A level".)
Once you've located an exam centre, just get in touch with them and ask to register as a private candidate. They'll ask for which qualification / exam board / year.
Each exam board also has a web page with information for private candidates, which you should read through.
Note that you can't use your own school/college as the exam centre, as you can't be a private candidate and a non-private candidate at the same exam centre at the same time.
You can find local exam centres (schools / colleges) which accept private candidates via this search tool. (Note that they stupidly use the term "GCE" to mean "A level".)
Once you've located an exam centre, just get in touch with them and ask to register as a private candidate. They'll ask for which qualification / exam board / year.
Each exam board also has a web page with information for private candidates, which you should read through.
Note that you can't use your own school/college as the exam centre, as you can't be a private candidate and a non-private candidate at the same exam centre at the same time.
ah sorry for the late reply, but thank you for the advice man!!
Original post by DerDracologe
Have you asked local sixth forms if you can join the a level maths course and resit in November?
I think that would be the best way to play it because by then you should have an idea of it you can handle a level maths. However, i will remind you that there is a reason why students who have got a grade 5 are discouraged from doing maths at a level. Of students who get a 5 at gcse and continue to a level, the most common grade they get at the end of year 13 is a U (32% of gcse grade 5 students who managed to finish the a level course got this grade). However, if you think that your lower grade is purely a results of you joining the course later then maybe mention this to sixth forms.
If you do decide to take maths as a private candidate, that would mean doing 4 subjects with one outside of school hours and due to you getting a 5 it would likely be very challenging to be able to do this. However, if you think its your best option go ahead and look for some exam centres in your area.
I think that would be the best way to play it because by then you should have an idea of it you can handle a level maths. However, i will remind you that there is a reason why students who have got a grade 5 are discouraged from doing maths at a level. Of students who get a 5 at gcse and continue to a level, the most common grade they get at the end of year 13 is a U (32% of gcse grade 5 students who managed to finish the a level course got this grade). However, if you think that your lower grade is purely a results of you joining the course later then maybe mention this to sixth forms.
If you do decide to take maths as a private candidate, that would mean doing 4 subjects with one outside of school hours and due to you getting a 5 it would likely be very challenging to be able to do this. However, if you think its your best option go ahead and look for some exam centres in your area.
most said i will have to retake in november and enter for the course next year sadly
Original post by DataVenia
You're welcome.
another question i have is since i'm in year 12 now when should i register as a private candidate as i'm assuming the real A level exams are in june of 2026 so like do i register now or, wait a bit?
Original post by disgustiscool
ah sorry for the late reply, but thank you for the advice man!!
You're welcome.
Original post by disgustiscool
another question i have is since i'm in year 12 now when should i register as a private candidate as i'm assuming the real A level exams are in june of 2026 so like do i register now or, wait a bit?
I'm going to assume you're in England, meaning you're just taking exams at the end of Year 13 and that you're not taking AS exams (as part of your A levels) at the end of Year 12, as students in Wales and Northern Ireland do.
If you'll be taking your A levels in summer 2026, then the exam centre won't need to register your candidacy with the exam board until February 2026. However, if you left it until January 2026 to make contact with an exam centre you might find that they have too many internal candidates to accommodate you, or that they no longer deal with the exam board your expecting, or that they have an deadline of December for new external candidates, or some such issue.
I would therefore recommend that you contact an exam centre sooner rather than later. Just let them know what exam board, qualification, and subject you're looking to do (preferably with the exam code to avoid misunderstandings), and point out that you want to sit in summer 2026. They'll either take your details there and then, or will tell you that it's too early and that you should contact them this time next year (or whatever). Better that than you contact them too late.
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