Studying A-level maths as an adult

Cubic

Hi, thought I'd post this here and see if anyone can help,

I'm 29 and I'm considering doing an A-level in maths. I've actually already got an A-level in maths from school, but I've always been disappointed by my grade (D) as I think I could have done better. So I'd like to study it again to see what I can achieve and also to improve my maths knowledge as it would be useful to my job.

I was hoping someone would be able to give me some advice on doing this. I would like to to teach myself rather than doing an evening class. If I did this, is it be possible to take the exam? Do you just write to the test centre and ask for a place?

Also, when it comes to exams, there seems to be a few exam bodies (AQA, Edexcel etc.). Do you just pick one and get some text books covering their syllabus?

And when I did my original a-level there was just pure maths and stats, but now there seem to be loads of different modules (c,d,m etc.). How do you know which ones to do?

Thanks for any help!

Harry B

Just lie on your CV. Everyone else does

craker

I'd speak to your local college, I'm sure that's where you'd end up sitting the exam.

My instinct would be to enrol on a course. You've got a teacher who can answer questions, and a sylabus to keep you going.

Maybe the OU would be worth contacting too?

roadracedave

I don't think you will be able to just write to the exam board and take the exam that way as you will need to have independent people with you whilst taking the exam and be at an approved place.

You will probably be best off doing a home study course such as this one; http://www.icslearn.co.uk/gcse-A-level/a-level/a-level-maths/ I think that you do that all at home and just go into take the exam. You will get all of the learning materials and recieve help from the tutor via email so is probably worth the money.

I took my Math's A-level at school a couple of years ago and I think I had to do 6 modules in total.

schweiz

I think your best bet would be going to a local FE college and speaking to them. They can enter you and you can sit the exam on their premises with their invigilators.

It might be worth looking at all the different awards bodies (companies!?) and seeing which syllabus is more suited to your strengths.

I was a long time ago (1996) but I did one of the first modular A-Level. I had 6 modules to do of which 3 were Pure Maths and then I could choose either 2 Mechanics and 1 Statistics or vice versa.

I'm sure it'll be a similar situation with some mandatory core modules and then some optional ones. You'll need certain modules for AS and then some additional for the full A-Level

It may be worth having some lessons with a FE college even if it's just to get access to past papers so you can practice and also have them marked.

finchy

I second OU. I'm studying for an engineering degree with them at the moment, and I've been very, very impressed by the quality of course material and teaching. They offer a certificate in maths, which would look far better on your CV than an A-level and you'd get to learn how to use things such as MathCAD. Also, you'd be able to take it further if you wanted to and do either a diploma or a degree.

If you really wanted the A-level though, there are plenty of distance learning companies for you to google.

tebbit

Mr Finch's advice seems excellent, for once his signature line is apt.

Stuey01

Agree with johnfinch. No-one puts the grades they got at A Level on their CV anyway, not once you have some experience. The OU course would give you the additional skills you are seeking but also on your CV would mark you out as a self starter willing to invest your own time and money into your development.
This would be more attractive to potential employers than a retake of your a-level imho.

jim453

Guys already got a job so doesn't need to lie. Sounds like he just wants to get better at something for it's own sake and it may help him actually do his existing job.

Fair play mate. Get on it. Local college will enter you for a small fee. Get a book from Smiths and bob's yer uncle. You'll probably find it's less difficult than last time you tried it.

finchy

tebbit wrote:

Mr Finch's advice seems excellent, for once his signature line is apt.

Hey, my advice is always excellent except when I'm being facetious or argumentative, which is a mere 85% of the time.

Tim Farr

If you retake then your first stop would be your local FE college. You'll need some tuition. When will there be classes? - in the daytime certainly, probably when you're at work. In the evening? Probably not.

Another source of advice could be a careers adviser.

But why stick at that level? You've already achieved the 'A' level grade; if you have another 'A' level you have the qualifications to go to the next level - university. What Maths course can your local uni offer. What about the OU course that Mr Finch mentions? The OU has an excellent reputation for what is called 'distance learning' (tuition where the student mainly studies at home) for adults( AKA mature students) who need to keep working.

tebbit

tebbit wrote:
Mr Finch's advice seems excellent, for once his signature line is apt.


Hey, my advice is always excellent except when I'm being facetious or argumentative, which is a mere 85% of the time.

165

i teach engineering maths at a college and obviously would recommend going to a college :-)
It's good to have someone with whom you can discuss the topic when you are learning maths. Everybody has a different way of learning asnd getting a book that you 'click with' can sometimes be a bit tricky.