Hi folks
My son is in year 7 at the moment, and he is naturally good at maths. I was thinking of getting him to take his GCSE maths exam a year early i.e. in year 10, so that it is out of the way, and he can concentrate on the rest of his GCSE subjects in year 11.
Could you please advice how I could do that & is it is really a good idea?
Thanks in advance for your responses.
Hi, Im sitting next to a 6th form maths teacher. He says its a very tricky one. He says its a bad idea most of the time, as your son may end up with a lower grade say a c, when he could get a A If he had waited. Once he has got a GCSE in maths the school wont push him to do another as he becomes a statstic hes got a pass so the school will be happy, then your son will have 12 months before his A levels and wont be prepared. So maybe choose another subject which he wont be doing in A level
I would suggest going to see his Maths teacher for a chat, both about what you are considering, and also where his future lies - my son did it a year early - his school had never done it before, and he got an A* - but he got on brilliantly with his maths teacher.
Hi Folks
Thanks for you replies. so far.
ak57 - If my son did sit the maths exam a year early and got a 'C' grade, would he be allowed to take in it again in year 11 in order to try & get a better grade?
I was under the idea that if he does do the maths exam a year early, it would be one less exam to worry about in year 11.
Also, what so you mean when you say Once he has got a GCSE in maths the school wont push him to do another
another what?
Thank U
Hi they wouldnt push him to resit to get a higher grade. actd son got a A star so thats brill, and he suggested going to see your sons maths teacher for advise, this is a great idea then you will get a better idea what grade he thinks he will get. All schools have different policys. If he was to go on to do A level maths he would have not been taught maths for a year if he did it early (actd what did your son do ?) .
1. chat to the teacher
2. ask if your son can sit the exam early
3. ask what if he got a lower grade could he resit ( I would say if theres a chance of that theres no point in taking it early)
That's a good point, and I actually can't remember what my son did with the extra year - however, he did maths A level (and then a maths degree, and is currently studying for his masters in maths - he's pretty good at it). He got a lot of encouragement from the school - it was good for both him and for the school so I'm sure his time wasn't wasted at all.