The Student Room Group

Doing Maths GCSEs Early

Hello, I'm currently in year 10 going to year 11 this September. I'm very very good at maths, I'm ahead in my class (in top set further maths) and recently my maths teacher let me compete in the Senior Maths Challenge, where I got the 3rd highest among Year 12s and 13s. I've also been studying topics like Differential Calculus outside of school, but I can't self-study as much as I can revise due to other subjects, extracurriculars and my home situation. I asked my teacher about being able to do my maths GCSE in year 10 instead of year 11 so that in year 11 I can start A-level maths classes, and he said he'll ask the head of maths if it's even possible which he's not sure it is.
Is this even a good idea? I feel confident enough with GCSE maths to maybe do it, but I have loads of questions.
Will I be able to do Further or will I have to do foundation?
Do I have to do my other GCSEs at the same time?
When I finish my other GCSEs will I be able to continue to International Baccalaureate in sixth form? If my school doesn't offer it will I be able to apply for sixth form elsewhere or will I already be considered to be in sixth form at my school?
Would I do my maths A-level in year 12 or year 13?
Is it worth it to do it early or is the extra year of doing it worth it?
When would I do my year 11 maths mock?
I know it's a heapload of tricky questions but I'm confused and unsure about whether or not it's a good decision to do it early. Maths is my passion and I want to go to Oxford after sixth form to study pure maths, and i'd like to give myself the best chance of getting in even though I don't go to a school with a good reputation of successful students in my district.
Help would be nice if you can answer any of my questions :smile:
imo it is a good idea, if ur doing maths n further maths at a level too.

the good thing is that you'll have more time with other subjects. Learning A Level is useful - how some schools teach maths+fm is maths in Y12 and FM in Y13 so u'd be ahead.

Assuming that u do maths now, u wont have y11 maths mock

no u dont need to do other gcse's at the same time - people do their native language (like polish Russian French Spanish) in Y9 or Y10 and do the rest in Y11

edit: dm me if u need help
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by AhsokaTano-
imo it is a good idea, if ur doing maths n further maths at a level too.
the good thing is that you'll have more time with other subjects. Learning A Level is useful - how some schools teach maths+fm is maths in Y12 and FM in Y13 so u'd be ahead.
Assuming that u do maths now, u wont have y11 maths mock
no u dont need to do other gcse's at the same time - people do their native language (like polish Russian French Spanish) in Y9 or Y10 and do the rest in Y11
edit: dm me if u need help

Thank you so much :smile:
Reply 3
Original post by Shayla Waggie
Hello, I'm currently in year 10 going to year 11 this September. I'm very very good at maths, I'm ahead in my class (in top set further maths) and recently my maths teacher let me compete in the Senior Maths Challenge, where I got the 3rd highest among Year 12s and 13s. I've also been studying topics like Differential Calculus outside of school, but I can't self-study as much as I can revise due to other subjects, extracurriculars and my home situation. I asked my teacher about being able to do my maths GCSE in year 10 instead of year 11 so that in year 11 I can start A-level maths classes, and he said he'll ask the head of maths if it's even possible which he's not sure it is.
Is this even a good idea? I feel confident enough with GCSE maths to maybe do it, but I have loads of questions.
Will I be able to do Further or will I have to do foundation?
Do I have to do my other GCSEs at the same time?
When I finish my other GCSEs will I be able to continue to International Baccalaureate in sixth form? If my school doesn't offer it will I be able to apply for sixth form elsewhere or will I already be considered to be in sixth form at my school?
Would I do my maths A-level in year 12 or year 13?
Is it worth it to do it early or is the extra year of doing it worth it?
When would I do my year 11 maths mock?
I know it's a heapload of tricky questions but I'm confused and unsure about whether or not it's a good decision to do it early. Maths is my passion and I want to go to Oxford after sixth form to study pure maths, and i'd like to give myself the best chance of getting in even though I don't go to a school with a good reputation of successful students in my district.
Help would be nice if you can answer any of my questions :smile:

Even for oxbridge, theres little advantage in doing exams early. Doing supercurricular maths outside normal lessons is good, and Id spent the time doing that, even if it doesnt lead to an exam.
(edited 1 month ago)
Cambridge Maths graduate here: I took GCSE Maths, A Level Maths and A Level Further Maths all early. I've spoken to admission tutors. Only take them early if you can guarantee top grades. Early exams but not top grades looks worse than just taking them on time.
Original post by thedudewholives
Cambridge Maths graduate here: I took GCSE Maths, A Level Maths and A Level Further Maths all early. I've spoken to admission tutors. Only take them early if you can guarantee top grades. Early exams but not top grades looks worse than just taking them on time.

Thank you so much, congrats on graduating Cambridge and this is really helpful!! :smile:
Reply 6
Original post by Shayla Waggie
Thank you so much, congrats on graduating Cambridge and this is really helpful!! :smile:

Wbf, just about every kid who does maths at oxbridge could do gcse maths early (and some do). What do you hope to gain? Cambridge, for instance, prefer your a levels to be done at the same time (so y13) and really there is enough time to do your a levels in y12&13. If you feel that you might be bored in gcse maths lessons in y11, maybe chat to your teacher about doing harder gcse questions/extension work/L2 further maths work (even if you dont sit the exam).
Original post by Shayla Waggie
Hello, I'm currently in year 10 going to year 11 this September. I'm very very good at maths, I'm ahead in my class (in top set further maths) and recently my maths teacher let me compete in the Senior Maths Challenge, where I got the 3rd highest among Year 12s and 13s. I've also been studying topics like Differential Calculus outside of school, but I can't self-study as much as I can revise due to other subjects, extracurriculars and my home situation. I asked my teacher about being able to do my maths GCSE in year 10 instead of year 11 so that in year 11 I can start A-level maths classes, and he said he'll ask the head of maths if it's even possible which he's not sure it is.
Is this even a good idea? I feel confident enough with GCSE maths to maybe do it, but I have loads of questions.
Will I be able to do Further or will I have to do foundation?
Do I have to do my other GCSEs at the same time?
When I finish my other GCSEs will I be able to continue to International Baccalaureate in sixth form? If my school doesn't offer it will I be able to apply for sixth form elsewhere or will I already be considered to be in sixth form at my school?
Would I do my maths A-level in year 12 or year 13?
Is it worth it to do it early or is the extra year of doing it worth it?
When would I do my year 11 maths mock?
I know it's a heapload of tricky questions but I'm confused and unsure about whether or not it's a good decision to do it early. Maths is my passion and I want to go to Oxford after sixth form to study pure maths, and i'd like to give myself the best chance of getting in even though I don't go to a school with a good reputation of successful students in my district.
Help would be nice if you can answer any of my questions :smile:

It's not a good idea - I teach Maths and universities like to see all GCSEs taken together.

By all means do other work and make sure you do the IMC - if you do well you might get invited to one of the National Maths Summer Schools!
Original post by thedudewholives
Cambridge Maths graduate here: I took GCSE Maths, A Level Maths and A Level Further Maths all early. I've spoken to admission tutors. Only take them early if you can guarantee top grades. Early exams but not top grades looks worse than just taking them on time.

How long ago? It is frowned upon now ...
Ok
Original post by Muttley79
How long ago? It is frowned upon now ...

I was accepted 2020 (GCSE Y10, Maths Y11, FM Y12). But I agree with you it's generally frowned upon, because there's more conducive maths to help done, and also the risk of not achieving top grades. I wouldn't recommend doing stuff early unless the student is extremely confident in their ability to score very highly, and also does have the time to explore other more productive maths (UKMT challenges, STEP etc). Perhaps if I didn't spend time self-teaching for exams, I may have gotten much further with Olympiad Maths (and Physics/Chemistry). Most people I know didn't take stuff early, but I'm friends with several who did. However I do think it can show good initiative, which is impressive if the student comes from a very disadvantaged background.
(edited 4 weeks ago)
Original post by thedudewholives
I was accepted 2020 (GCSE Y10, Maths Y11, FM Y12). But I agree with you it's generally frowned upon, because there's more conducive maths to help done, and also the risk of not achieving top grades. I wouldn't recommend doing stuff early unless the student is extremely confident in their ability to score very highly, and also does have the time to explore other more productive maths (UKMT challenges, STEP etc). Perhaps if I didn't spend time self-teaching for exams, I may have gotten much further with Olympiad Maths (and Physics/Chemistry). Most people I know didn't take stuff early, but I'm friends with several who did. However I do think it can show good initiative, which is impressive if the student comes from a very disadvantaged background.

I teach Maths at a selective state school - we don't allow early entry. There's so much interesting Maths outside exam specs that is so much more fun. So many good books as well from people like Rob Eastaway 'Why do buses come in threes?' . 'How long is a piece of string?' etc.

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