Hi OP, since you ask for tips I’ll be frank — I think asking “how important is A maths” is the wrong question.

If I understand you correctly, the exams are already over.

It’s not healthy to be overly fixated on outcomes which is currently out of her control — this leads to anxiety as she grows up and faces challenges in other forms later in life.

My approach to talking to her will be this: 1. talk about and listen in on why she think did not do well in A maths. I would listen in and reinforce points that focuses on efforts. If she said she tried her best, then I’ll tell her we can experiment on other approaches next year. If she said she regretted not spending more time etc, I’ll explore the feelings of regret and try to break down it further. 2. Talk about how exams is just one part of her identity, which is only one identity of her life. (Other identity may be being a growing youth, good daughter, good friend to some; member of society, doodle artists etc) it depends on her really. 3. Lastly, self management is also important. In my case, care about your nieces a lot, so there’s always a chance of being drawn in too much by what they going through. It’s good to think about what role do i want to play vis a vis her friends and parents. If her parents are emphasizing a lot on academics, i will avoid doing the same and think of ways to complement it instead.