AndyRoo Posted November 20, 2016 Share Posted November 20, 2016 Hello Has anyone done this? Taken their GCSEs as an adult? Because of a lot of rubbish that went on when I was a kid, I didn't actually end up sitting any GCSEs, and I am now thinking of taking both a maths and english GCSE, but I am a little nervous as it's been 20 years since I left school!! I decided to sit a mock exam online just to test how badly my brain had stagnated since I last studied and I am *mortified* because I got a D (2 points below a C grade!) and now it's making me question the whole thing. If anyone has done a GCSE in maths or english, any advice would be appreciated! Hopefully I won't end up embarrassing myself too badly!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted November 20, 2016 Share Posted November 20, 2016 I too was rubbish at school, too immature I think. I did nursing and midwifery I then wanted to do a Health Visiting degree and didn't want to be turned down as I didn't have GCSE English. I enrolled as a private entrant. I had to go to a local grammar school and do a oral exam. The teacher was lovely. I then sat exam,2 papers I think. I had to go in hall with all the 16 yr olds. I did feel a bit of a prat but passed A star. I found it very easy, I don't think I could do maths without a bit of swotting. Try the English I am sure that will give you confidence,find a local maths tutor for a few sessions and go for it. Your local tech might do night classes for adults though that might take longer. Is it just for yourself or are you planning more study? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted November 20, 2016 Share Posted November 20, 2016 My sister who is 40 has retaken her maths gcse this year as she needed a pass to move on in her job. She really enjoyed it and I think it improved her confidence a bit. I would say go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted November 20, 2016 Share Posted November 20, 2016 ps, forgot to say getting a D after not doing an formal work for the exam is really good! Just think what you could do by going to adult classes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted November 20, 2016 Author Share Posted November 20, 2016 Oh I wasn't rubbish at school, I actually excelled at most things - but I had a lot of home problems, and I was bullied *relentlessly*. Basically by the time I was 15 years old I was suicidal and ended up having a nervous breakdown. I just dropped out of school because I couldn't function properly! The problem is I now think my brain has stagnated so much I am not sure I can do it. I am also slightly concerned about the exam - as a result of all the childhood rubbish I suffer terribly with depression, anxiety and PTSD. Just the thought of being in an exam condition makes my heart race... I am hoping to find some way of paying for a private exam, so I can just sit in a room on my own and concentrate and sit back and take 5 minutes to calm down should I need to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted November 20, 2016 Share Posted November 20, 2016 I'm sorry that you had a hard time at school because of others but just wanted to wish you all the best for your GCSE/GCSE's when you take the plunge. You will be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted November 20, 2016 Author Share Posted November 20, 2016 I'm sorry that you had a hard time at school because of others but just wanted to wish you all the best for your GCSE/GCSE's when you take the plunge. You will be fine Awww, thank you. I hope I will. I've ordered myself a couple of practice books. Fortunately for me the OH has a Masters in Maths, so I will at least have a private tutor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 Goodness, you sound like you had a Hellish time. Good for you for coming through & wanting to do now what you could not do then A few friends of mine have done this., one under similar circumstance to your situation, & he found it a really pleasing & cathartic experience. He was delighted when his hard work paid off & I think it helped rid him of a few Demons. But, it was hard work - he did evening lessons, & often complained about the homework. Once you get your ear in again I am sure you will do just fine. I truly think that these exams come at the wrong time for most of us - when we are teenagers & vulnerable mixed up messes! I was, at least. Best of luck to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 Showing my age here got a CSE grade 2 for Maths - we had naff teachers and frankly nothings changed. I agree with Cinnamon teenage years are difficult enough and seeing what my 15 year old is going thro with OCD and anxiety and GCSE's I can see why not everyone reaches their potential. I too would do English too and get some confidence. Good to know you have your own maths tutor on board. How are the girlies by the way? YS was watching me email tonight and reached over and corrected my punctuation - oops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted November 21, 2016 Author Share Posted November 21, 2016 Thanks all. I won't go into all the gory details, but needless to say that - even with medication - I do sometimes just sit there an emotional wreck. The thought of being in exam conditions just makes it a hundred times worse. A couple of people have told me that they think I can ask for a private room... which makes me feel marginally better. I'm just hoping that I don't find it too hard. It's weird, because if I take an IQ test I (depending on which test I do) just about qualify for MENSA. Yet, I struggle with things like maths. D'oh! @Allis - the girls are fine, just a bit soggy at the moment. It's been so bad here in Bristol that several parts of the city (including the main station) are underwater!! I decided looking at them today that, when I redo the garden, I am going to put them on a slope. It'll still be 'flat' as a surface, but will have a slope so any excess water can be drained away! I am feeling a bit sorry for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 Another maths phone here, but you will have other strengths. My ES is doing Maths at uni. I think they have me the wrong baby YS is good at language. My strengths were English. Frankly qualifications help but they aren't the be all and end all. I now wont put myself through exams. I am 54 and do online seminars and study days. My concentration is poor and nursing is tough at the best of times. Do it for yourself. Good luck with what you decide. My girls are on concrete and auboise and the rains gone in at an angle. They don't seem to bothered. My old set up meant they were in the equivalent of the Somme. They are tough thank goodness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 I would say go for it, you are obviously intelligent. You will probably find that it helps to put a few ghosts to rest. I too was bullied at school and each achievement I reach in life gives me more confidence and makes me think stuff you bullies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 Have you tried something like hypnosis to deal with anxiety of exam room? Some people find it great help for anxiety states. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahjayne Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 How about IGCSE's which I understand is based on coursework rather than a final exam? I think home schooled children can take these. I may be mistaken though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted November 21, 2016 Author Share Posted November 21, 2016 How about IGCSE's which I understand is based on coursework rather than a final exam? I think home schooled children can take these. I may be mistaken though. I've never heard of those, I'll have to have a look into it. I think I'd be okay if I can sit the exam on my own or something... it probably sounds silly but part of the anxiety is about having an anxiety attack. I start getting worried that I'll have an anxiety attack, and that makes me anxious, and then that anxiousness makes that fear worse, and so on and so forth... it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy! Unfortunately situations like that can often lead to a full blown panic-attack. I can take meds, but the problem with the meds for anxiety is the fact that they're sedatives. Sedatives + concentration required for an exam are two non-mixable things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted November 21, 2016 Author Share Posted November 21, 2016 Have you tried something like hypnosis to deal with anxiety of exam room? Some people find it great help for anxiety states. I talked about this with a therapist a long time ago, I mentioned that I am extremely skeptical about the fact that anyone can ever really be hypnotised. She seemed to think that because I was so skeptical it was unlikely to work... you have to be open to the power of suggestion. Which given some of the stuff I tend to believe, I am surprised I am not more open to it... but there you have it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 How about IGCSE's which I understand is based on coursework rather than a final exam? I think home schooled children can take these. I may be mistaken though. I think you mean BTEC. IGCSE stands for International GSCE and requires a final exam, where BTEC is just coursework. I dont see why you can't do your exams in a private room. I did nearly all my GCSEs and A-levels in a private room, with my own personal invigilator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted November 22, 2016 Author Share Posted November 22, 2016 I dont see why you can't do your exams in a private room. I did nearly all my GCSEs and A-levels in a private room, with my own personal invigilator. A few people have said this. I am hoping to be able to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
