Advanced Higher: HELP!

Hi everyone, I’d really appreciate some advice on my current situation!

I’m in S5 in Scotland, studying Higher Maths, English, Economics, History, and Modern Studies. I moved here from Wales in October 2024, so it’s been a bit of a challenging transition, especially as I just sat my prelims.

Unfortunately, I’ve been predicted a D in most of my subjects, including Maths, partly because I’m still adjusting. My Maths prelim didn’t go well either, which has made things harder. The issue is, my school has a policy where if you don’t get an A or B in the Maths prelim, you can’t move on to Advanced Higher Maths in S6. They don’t wait for the actual exam results to start the new school year, so we’re placed in new classes in May right after exams.

Here’s the thing: I got an A* in GCSE Maths before moving, and I’m confident I can get an A in Higher Maths with more practice and focus. But I’m worried I’ll lose the chance to take Advanced Higher because of this prelim policy.

Has anyone been in a similar situation, or do you have any advice on how I can convince my school to let me continue with Maths next year? I really want to do Advanced Higher Maths and think I can prove myself by the actual exam. Any advice or tips would mean a lot—thank you!

Reply 1

Clonkplonk

Hey, so i went through a similar thing with Higher chem and AH chem.

So you could try have a discussion with the head of maths or your guidance teacher about this and try justify the grade you got by talking about how your still adjusting to higher course but you were doing really well in your GCSE's and how with more practise you fee like you could do it and if the school/teacher offerany additional support (as in extra classes, after school study) you'd be happy to do because your committed. I found you really have to be quite pushy to get teachers to budge.

Also, I've not done this personally but someone in my year did quite poorly on the final exam and was not able to AH despite needing it, they went to the head teacher to discuss it, deputy heads, like was very pushy about needing to do it and then they got their parent to call into the school and basically say that they (the parents) wanted them (the student) to do it. I don't think there is much the school can do to stop you if your parent says they want you to do it.

Really hope that made sense, if it needs clarification let me know :smile:

Reply 2

rayaanshahid10

Original post by LL897

Hi everyone, I’d really appreciate some advice on my current situation!
I’m in S5 in Scotland, studying Higher Maths, English, Economics, History, and Modern Studies. I moved here from Wales in October 2024, so it’s been a bit of a challenging transition, especially as I just sat my prelims.
Unfortunately, I’ve been predicted a D in most of my subjects, including Maths, partly because I’m still adjusting. My Maths prelim didn’t go well either, which has made things harder. The issue is, my school has a policy where if you don’t get an A or B in the Maths prelim, you can’t move on to Advanced Higher Maths in S6. They don’t wait for the actual exam results to start the new school year, so we’re placed in new classes in May right after exams.
Here’s the thing: I got an A* in GCSE Maths before moving, and I’m confident I can get an A in Higher Maths with more practice and focus. But I’m worried I’ll lose the chance to take Advanced Higher because of this prelim policy.
Has anyone been in a similar situation, or do you have any advice on how I can convince my school to let me continue with Maths next year? I really want to do Advanced Higher Maths and think I can prove myself by the actual exam. Any advice or tips would mean a lot—thank you!