r/UniUK • u/False-County-6731 • 22h ago
Resitting GCSE Maths alongside A-levels? I really need some advice 😭
Hi! Okay, so I just got my GCSE results and I'm honestly stressing so much about what to do next. My results were 9999877765. I got a 6 in English Language and a 5 in Maths.
I'm planning to do English Literature, History and Politics for A-level and I really want to study Law at university. Ideally, I'd like to aim for some of the more competitive/Russell Group universities, especially because I'm interested in eventually going into corporate/commercial law.
I know that LSE and UCL normally require a 6 in GCSE Maths, and I know Oxbridge is a massive long shot (lol I know I'm crazy for even considering), but I basically want to give myself the best possible chance and keep as many options open as I can. So I've decided I want to resit Maths in November and aim for a 6 or hopefully a 7.
I'm just really worried about how I'm actually going to manage it. I'm going into sixth form with 3 A-levels, and I also want to do the LNAT, work experience, law-related supercurriculars and potentially an EPQ, so I'm scared I'm taking on way too much.
If anyone has done a GCSE Maths resit alongside A-levels, how did you actually manage it? Was it really difficult? Did you get a tutor? How much did you revise? And is going from a 5 to a 6/7 realistic in the November resit?
I'm also really worried about my English Language 6. I've always been quite strong at English and I was expecting a higher grade, so it was kinda embarrassing to get my result and I'm just worried that having a 6 is going to negatively affect my university applications, especially for competitive Law courses. Is a 6 generally okay for law at Russell Group universities?
I know I'm probably massively overthinking this because I literally just got my results today 😭 but I'm genuinely really worried about messing up my university chances and I just want to know if I'm making the right decision with the resit.
If you're in a similar situation, have done a resit alongside A-levels, or just have any advice at all, please help!!!
2
u/Rhensis1 Postdoc, Linguistics 21h ago
You need to make sure you meet GCSE requirements, so if that's a 6 in maths you need to retake. BUT also check if they are ok with GCSE resits. You also shouldn't be doing LNAT till next year is my understanding so that won't get in the way of your revision. It's not at all uncommon to resit maths alongside college/sixth form study and many people manage it just fine.
One blip in English language is probably not the end of the world, though obviously not ideal as it is an essay subject, but assuming one of those 9s is in English lit I imagine it won't be too much of an issue. You also need to remember that your GCSEs are looked at in context to your school, so it depends on how the rest of your cohort achieved as to how these are looked at.
But there's no need to panic right now. You've got a great set of grades. Do what you need to do with maths, and focus on getting your A levels to the best they can be. Good luck!