GCSE Maths Resits: Everything You Need To Know

Will I need to resit GCSE Maths?

In the UK students who do not achieve a grade 4 or higher must study maths until age 18. 

• If you achieved a grade 3 and are studying full time, you will need to resit GCSE Maths

• If studying part time, you may take a functional skills course instead of a GCSE

• If you achieved a grade 2 or lower, you can take a functional skills course instead of a GCSE

• If you are planning on studying an apprenticeship, there will be maths embedded within your programme

Some students may also choose to resit GCSE Maths for other reasons, such as wanting to improve their grades for personal reasons or specific course or career requirements. 

Is GCSE Maths resit any different from GCSE Maths?

No; the qualification is exactly the same as you studied previously. You will sit the exact same exam papers that all other students are sitting in that exam season.

You can resit GCSE Maths at either Foundation or Higher tiers of entry. You do not have to study for the same tier you sat previously. Generally, it is advised to study for the same tier, or lower, as this means the amount of content to study will be either the same or smaller. 

The higher tier qualification contains everything at the foundation, plus more. 

What grade do I need to pass the GCSE Maths resit?

You need to achieve at least a grade 4 to pass GCSE Maths. You can achieve a grade 4 on either the higher or foundation tier papers. You can achieve up to a grade 9 on the Higher tier, and up to a grade 5 on the Foundation tier. It is not easier to achieve a grade 4 on either tier; the grade boundaries are designed so that achieving a 4 on either tier requires the same ability. You may be able to choose your tier of entry, or your centre may decide for you.

Which GCSE Maths grade counts if I resit more than once?

Your highest grade is always the grade which counts. If you resit the exam again later and receive a lower grade, your highest grade still counts. You do not have to list any of your lower grades anywhere if you do not want to.

When are the GCSE Maths resit exams?

There are generally two sessions where GCSE Maths exams can be sat; in November and May/June. You may be able to request to sit the exam in either, or both, or this may be decided by your centre. Your GCSE Maths resit exams will likely be sat at your centre (school or college) and it does not have to be the same centre where you previously took your GCSE Maths exam.
If you sit the exam in November, the results will be available in January. You will still need to attend classes and lessons between November and January however, as you do not know if you have achieved a grade 4 or not until January. 
Even if you sit the exam in November, you can still sit the exam again in May/June.The results from the summer exam series will be available on GCSE results day in August.

How do I study for GCSE Maths resit?

Reflect on how you previously studied for your GCSE Maths exams; what methods did you find most useful and least useful? The most effective thing you can do is study consistently and frequently; rather than “cramming” before the exam. Make sure you attend all sessions as directed by your school or centre, and engage with all support that they offer you. We also have plenty of maths resources here at Save My Exams. Including revision notes, videos, topic questions, and model answers.

Check out this detailed video from one of our expert teachers on how to ace your Maths resits:

How much does it cost to resit GCSE Maths?

If it is compulsory for you to sit GCSE Maths then the exam should be free for you. 

If it is not compulsory for you, for example, if you are a mature student, you should contact the centre where you are planning to study for or sit the exam. They may have subsidies available to you. You should also note that the fee to study the course at a centre will be different to the fee to simply enter the exam.

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