For people who had never did their GCSES, how are you now?

Posted by Substantial_Sand_227@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 8 comments

I've just done my 2nd maths GCSE exam, I know I'm not going to pass any of my GCSES due to not being in education for the majority of secondary school. For the people that failed their GCSES and never redid them, how's life now? What are you doing? Are they really as big of a deal as people make out?? I would also like to add because I talked to my mother about this and she completely went batshit crazy lecture on me, I plan on redoing my GCSES and spending the whole year studying my bony ass off.

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8 Comments

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idekkanymoree_@reddit

My mum flunked her GCSEs, did a btec in law back in the 90s, dropped out of that to have my sister and now she’s doing a psychology undergrad starting her final year this October hoping to do a masters or postgrad training to become a pwp or counsellor. Shes 53 and very likely has undiagnosed adhd!

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Gothicpixel@reddit

My brother was home schooled in the 2000s and didn't do any GCSE's He did a foundation degree in music when he was 19/20. I can't remember how he managed to be able to do one with no qualifications. And since then has become a qualified car and HGV mechanic. He did have to do key skill maths which I think he had to retake 3 times. He's dyslexic and struggles with maths but he did it on his last try. Either way, he's done very well for himself I did my GCSE though didn't do too well (3 C's being my best grades in maths, English and English lit)but I ended up going to uni and getting a degree and a masters. I've been managing a charity shop for over a decade. Love it but wasn't where I envisioned my future. I don't think highly of GCSE's. I only succeeded once I went to college and studied something I was interested in. And also to expect us to succeeded in all subjects I think is rather daft too. We're all individuals with different brains and with different ways of learning. Take this as ypu will

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mildperil_@reddit

So I am not in your target audience, but think this is worth sharing. I have an undergraduate degree, and started doing a masters-level apprenticeship in a different field at 39. I have fifteen years of professional experience behind me. Despite all my other experience and qualifications, they needed to see my 23 year old GCSE English and Maths certificates before I could be accepted onto the course. Of all of your GCSEs, these are the two you really need. Alternatively you can do what’s called a Functional Skills course in English and Maths (for example https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/functional-skills-subject-content-mathematics/subject-content-functional-skills-maths), which are equivalent got a grade 4 GCSE, but oh my goodness it is so much easier to get the qualifications out the way while you’re young, compared to when you’re older and have to deal with rent and bills and looking after yourself and general life getting in the way.

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No_Watercress8123@reddit

I'm living in a wheelie bin.

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Key_Plum_99a@reddit

I think your plan of studying again for a year is a good plan if your family can keep you while you’re in full time education. Not having Maths and English GCSE would be a barrier to many entry level roles, So getting those whilst you’re not working will be easier than trying to study while working. I hope your Mum will support you in turning things around over the next 12 months.

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Evening-Tomatillo-47@reddit

In the grand scheme of things they're not important. However they get you to the a levels, and they get you to university

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Demonthief27@reddit

Failed most including IT Now quite high up in the IT world and it never stopped me getting into it. Apprenticeships are great, get your qualifications and experience

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