How cooked am I? Maths grade not good enough for alevel

8

So I’ve applied for maths, cs and physics for alevel and for cs and maths I need a grade 6 minimum, I think I’ve gotten between 83-103 in my maths gcse(which is a grade 5). If I end up with a grade 5 on results day what should I do?? Do sixth forms allow resits if I get a grade 5?

Reply 1

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

20

To be honest, if you’re going to struggle to obtain a 6 then i dont think a level maths is a good subject for you to take (i cant speak for comp sci). A minimum of a grade 7 in gcse maths is usually recommended for a level because the jump in difficulty from gcse to a level is one of the bigger ones compared to other subjects. I would not recommend you to take a level maths if these exams are a true picture of your ability.
Why did you apply for these subjects? What are your other grades like?
Some sixth forms allow resits but it depends on the individual sixth form and their admissions policies. It is unlikely you’d be accepted onto highly maths intensive courses with a 5 in maths in my experience, and for good reason. Physics is also a very maths heavy subject so id be wary of that too.

Reply 2

Bubbles404

OP

8

Original post

by DerDracologe

To be honest, if you’re going to struggle to obtain a 6 then i dont think a level maths is a good subject for you to take (i cant speak for comp sci). A minimum of a grade 7 in gcse maths is usually recommended for a level because the jump in difficulty from gcse to a level is one of the bigger ones compared to other subjects. I would not recommend you to take a level maths if these exams are a true picture of your ability.
Why did you apply for these subjects? What are your other grades like?
Some sixth forms allow resits but it depends on the individual sixth form and their admissions policies. It is unlikely you’d be accepted onto highly maths intensive courses with a 5 in maths in my experience, and for good reason. Physics is also a very maths heavy subject so id be wary of that too.

Hi thanks for your honesty.
I didn’t really revise for anything which is 100% my fault but for computer science and physics I got grade 7 in my mocks and I chose these subjects bc I want to do physics or computer science in university which you need maths for at alevel. I ran out of time for paper 2 of the maths papers and wasn’t able to finish which again is my fault as I have bad time management skills which I could’ve fixed by revising. Thanks :smile:

)

Reply 3

artful_lounger

Clearing and Applications Advisor, Universities Forum Helper

22

Original post

by Bubbles404

So I’ve applied for maths, cs and physics for alevel and for cs and maths I need a grade 6 minimum, I think I’ve gotten between 83-103 in my maths gcse(which is a grade 5). If I end up with a grade 5 on results day what should I do?? Do sixth forms allow resits if I get a grade 5?

Why are you planning to do A-level Maths and 2 quasi-mathematical A-levels if you struggle with GCSE Maths?

Also physics and CS in university are even more mathematical than in GCSE or A-level (degree level physics is closer to A-level Maths than A-level Physics by all accounts). A degree in computer science is not a degree in coding/programming and there's a lot more to CS than just that. It's computer science after all.

If you struggle with time management in a maths exam, that does not suggest to me that you are likely to succeed in a mathematical degree (or quasi-mathematical A-levels) where you will have lots of such exams. Ultimately getting a 2:2 or a third in physics or computer science degree isn't going to get you where you think you want to go. I suspect you'd also find the kind of work which specifically draws on the skills from those degrees (rather than generalist skills any degree would provide you) is going to be work you don't enjoy and struggle with as well as far as careers go.

I think realistically your goals do not align with your strengths. I would strongly recommend looking at your other subjects where you have done better and pursuing subjects relating to those, and ultimately pursue a career which plays to your strengths.

Reply 4

Reality Check

22

Original post

by Bubbles404

So I’ve applied for maths, cs and physics for alevel and for cs and maths I need a grade 6 minimum, I think I’ve gotten between 83-103 in my maths gcse(which is a grade 5). If I end up with a grade 5 on results day what should I do?? Do sixth forms allow resits if I get a grade 5?

You'd need to have an honest conversation with both yourself and your teachers regarding the reason for 'only' getting a grade 5 or 6 in the GCSE. If it's solely down to time management which could be genuinely improved by more and diligent practice, then that is surmountable. If, on the other hand, it's due to a fundamental struggle with some of the more difficult aspects of GCSE mathematics, then you've got to be honest about whether or not it's a good A level choice. Everyone can improve in maths, and everyone can 'learn' maths, but you might have to dedicate much more time to it than you initially intended to. There's then the issue of balancing your time between all your A levels.

How confident were you with topics like vector geometry, velocity-time graphs, harder graphs and quadratics (eg completing the square for a non-monic equation), algebraic fractions, 3D trigonometry, proportion, bounds - that sort of thing?

Reply 5

Rehan.10293

5

Original post

by Bubbles404

So I’ve applied for maths, cs and physics for alevel and for cs and maths I need a grade 6 minimum, I think I’ve gotten between 83-103 in my maths gcse(which is a grade 5). If I end up with a grade 5 on results day what should I do?? Do sixth forms allow resits if I get a grade 5?

If you got a 5 out of pure laziness and not because of your intelligence, then you could go to your sixth form on results day and show them that you are capable of handling A-level Maths, since it is very hard. I’d recommend doing some GCSE past papers and keep doing them even though you’ve done your GCSEs until you get really high marks, to show as proof, and then just try to teach yourself some basic AS content as proof of your motivation and ambition to study , and your passion for maths!

Reply 6

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

20

Original post

by Bubbles404

Hi thanks for your honesty.
I didn’t really revise for anything which is 100% my fault but for computer science and physics I got grade 7 in my mocks and I chose these subjects bc I want to do physics or computer science in university which you need maths for at alevel. I ran out of time for paper 2 of the maths papers and wasn’t able to finish which again is my fault as I have bad time management skills which I could’ve fixed by revising. Thanks :smile:

)

My advice to you (which you can ofc ignore!) would be to spend some time before results day exploring your interests. This could be through documentaries, short online courses or going to museums or talks.
I was very torn over what i wanted to do for a degree and where my interests were. I originally wanted to pursue physics but after doing an online course and watching some documentaries i decided that it wasn’t for me because of how theoretical all the content is at a higher level (i now want to be an ecologist or zoologist so when i say theoretical im comparing studying space time to nature and i find nature far more appealing!). I would encourage you to do the same and see whether your expectations of what a subject are met. In my case, i loved learning about space but didnt find the mathematical side of the subject that engaging even though i love maths and am good at it.
Working at a 7 in comp sci and physics is a better level of understanding however have you considered whether more applied courses might be better suited to you? I obviously known very little about you as a person, but i am considering that you are aspiring toward very maths based subjects but that doesn’t seem to align well with your strengths. Some colleges offer computing or applied sciences courses which might appeal.

(edited 10 months ago)

How cooked am I? Maths grade not good enough for alevel

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