Late Education

[Deleted User]

I have been a carer since 1999. I am reaonably well read, supposedly intelligent, but have never passed a maths exam in my life. I've discovered that all the certificates I did have have disappeared. I did do a BTEC when 26, but that's gone too.

I've tried to make enquiries about doing GCSE maths but there's only one course I can get to and its full (and involves child care problems).

Went for a work focused interview and asked what can I do to improve my employability. Much to my suprise there is a scheme locally to allow long term unemployed to take Maths and English equivalency courses. So off I went to my local Learn Direct Centre to be assessed. In spite of getting my 18 year old through his higher GCSE in maths (he was one of only three to pass it first time).., I was quite stunned how difficult some of the questions were. I think I scored 65-50% on what they called the level 2 questions (different sections). Not quite sure what that means but I know I wasn't doing too well lol! I guess I forget easily or something!

The only problem is you HAVE to attend for 15 hours a week and the hours aren't flexible.., its either a morning session or an afternoon session. I did say I couldn't go in this week because my younger child is on holiday and they accepted that.

Anyway I am all signed up and I intend to add to this as I progress. Hopefully there will be other people in a similar position wondering if they have a black hole in their heads where maths calculations should be happening. The daft thing is, I worked for 7 years as a bookeeper eons ago.., with no problems lol.

I'm also hoping I'll learn to talk again with adults. I've tended to stay indoors and see no one but the kids and the post man lol. Talking to people more than 4 ft in height (except the post man) is going to be quite difficult. I know I don't communicate very well, I can seem to be aggressive when stressed although I am very gentle.., but hopefully I'll be able to work on that. Don't get me wrong, I'm going there to work but hopefully I'll be getting used to saying good morning again to others at least lol.

Brighton_belle

Good for you Deannatois. It's never too late to learn new skills (or brush up old ones). And anything that adds to your employability is great, including brushing up on your people skills.
Don't forget there will be others on the course in the same boat, and a bit nervous about mixing again, so think about being the one who reaches out with a kind comment here and there to put someone else at there ease.
Good luck...but I am sure you don't need it.

FBaby

Good luck Deannatrois. Even if it feels overwelming to start with, don't let it affect your confidence and determination. Stick with it and it will all come together, leaving you with a massive sense of accomplishement that will give you a massive dose of energy to keep going.

NewShadow

I don't know if this will help if you're unsure about the level equivalents.

ofqual.gov.uk/qualifications-and-assessments/qualification-frameworks/levels-of-qualifications/

(sorry - trouble with links)

i did an NVQ lvl 2 in application of number - if you're doing the same and want someone to chat with, give me a shout. I've still got my course file knocking about.

[Deleted User]

http://ofqual.gov.uk/qualifications-and-assessments/qualification-frameworks/levels-of-qualifications/

I must admit I haven't got any paperwork yet. I can see from the above link that level 1 is GCSE Grade D and below, Level 2 is GCSE Grade C and above.

Thank you very much for your support, I must admit the process made me feel a bit lacking in confidence and ancient. I just couldn't get my brain to think.., it was just like there was mush in between my ears lol. Never found that before. But its definitely something I need to do given my lack of any certificates. And I'd love to get a Maths qualification (just hoping its acceptable to employers and education establishments).

I'd quite happily study any subject I can if it helps me get a job of some kind. I was watching the Tonight programme (Trouble With Numbers) so it does look like my problems are shared lol.

I had had to take my 8 year old in with me (with loads of books and a phone he could play games on) so probably wasn't an ideal situation. He was extremely good though, just could hear him chatting very loudly as he was in the coffee room teaching anyone who sat there about dinosaurs lol (he didn't want to sit with me). Childcare had all been arranged but my ex took insult over something minor my older son said and walked out (he was supposed to look after our son).

Typical of my life lol.., I'm at risk of being evicted if my LL sells the house I am living in.., people on benefits have problems finding a private LL here.., my ex.., why I need to do something to change my life.., badly.

jackyann

I think a lot of this stuff is practice, it seems to be about getting your brain into gear.
Sounds as if your brain is very full of other very important stuff at the moment, but hope that when you get to the course you can concentrate.

I'd try going to the local library and saying that you need to just get the number part of your brain into gear, do they have any books you can borrow? You'll probably only need an hour or two to find it all coming back to you.

I think anyone who ha done book-keeping will find that it will be like riding a bike!

[Deleted User]

It was the statistics questions that really stumped me. I'm not sure if the questions were unclear but I either gave up on trying to figure out what I had to do or got them wrong lol.

Definitely some practice needed there lol. But I'll get through it.

securityguy

"I've discovered that all the certificates I did have have disappeared. I did do a BTEC when 26, but that's gone too. "

You can get duplicates from the exam boards.

barba

Just pop a B or a C on your CV and if someone asks you about Pythagoras theorem just remember that "the old Arab sat on his camel and hiccuped"

[Deleted User]

I checked but am not sure which board the BTEC was with. You have to pay £50 on spec ..,, the exam board won't confirm you took the exam with them before you pay. I did it in 1992 and the college I took it at has changed completely .., doubt they'll have records going so far back.

Same for O levels I took in 1980. School is now closed. They cost even more..,per subject. No negotiation, I did ask.

trailingspouse

Can you remember your grades from 1980? I took mine in 1977 and although I still quote them religiously on CV's no-one has asked for proof since about 1979...

I would just put the grades on your CV (you're not lying), and not worry about it.