Edexcel Chemistry A level

[Katsinhats]

DD has just had a disappointing mock result for her Chemistry A level (got a C but is predicted an A). She's been doing really well so this was a shock, although she found the paper difficult and didn't expect a great result. She says that Edexcel is much harder than OCR but I'm not sure how she would know if she isn't studying OCR. DD also said that the sample paper bore no resemblance to what she has been taught and is blaming poor teaching and a strange paper for her result. She's very upset and worried and I don't really know what she needs to do. She won't speak to her school because she said that they don't listen anyway and the teacher seems to be almost proud of the fact that nobody she has ever taught has got an A*.

I suggested looking at as many past papers as possible but she said the style of the new paper is completely different to the old one and the old papers are not of much use. Chemistry can't have changed that much, can it? Is she just making excuses?

Just wondered whether anyone knows of any good websites or revision guides or has any other suggestions. Could the sample paper be quite different to the 'real one' or will it follow the same format? Will the exam board be notified about mock results by schools and make any necessary adjustments or is it too late anyway? I suppose they just adjust the grading boundaries in the final exam but maybe other schools haven't had a problem with the new spec and their results are as expected. Wish I could find out!

BTW for anyone who remembers my post about DD's interview for medicine (and the dilemma about leaving my younger DCs on their own for the night), she got an offer! That's why this result matters so much to her.

[RedHelenB]

I m sure if she puts the work in she will get her A. I think because it is a new spec this year everyone is a bit in the dark but hopefully they've marked a bit on the harsh side .

[mumsneedwine]

The sample paper was hard and lots got very low marks. If the teacher thinks students can get an A* at AS I'd be looking for a new teacher . Lots of revision and lots of past papers (even the old syllabus ones are helpful as content bit changed too much). Where did she go wrong ? If it's the multiple choice (hate them) then there are lots of those on line. Still 5 months to go so don't panic

[mumsneedwine]

Sorry just seen it's A not As. Teach me to text while making dinner . Lots and lots of practice - look at mark schemes and the words required. Good luck and well done in the medicine offer.

[Jessesbitch]

For OCR there are no published boundaries for the sample paper. Maybe its same for edexcel and they (the school) have set boundaries too high? We have set them as the same as the AS 2016 but A2s are harder so may well be lower. Agree do lots of legacy papers and dont panic.

[Katsinhats]

Thanks all. DD said that she did really badly on the core practical questions but doesn't really know why. Apparently there weren't any multiple choice questions in the sample paper but there will be in the real one. Where could she find MCQs online mumsneedwine?

[Decorhate]

Well done to your dd for getting an offer! Which uni is it? I can empathise re the chemistry as that subject was my dd's bugbear too (she's in second year medicine by the skin of her teeth).

Your dd needs to know the specification inside & out. School should already have given her a copy but she can download it from the exam board website I think. In terms of revision guides, CGP are usually good.
Did she do ASs last year & how were her marks if she did?

Does she need an A or A*?

[mumsneedwine]

Knowing the spec is a good call - I know kids who revise from that ! Everything is free on the exam board websites - all past papers except 2016 (which is locked for teachers at moment so we can use it as a mock). There are also some sample papers for the new exams available (free, don't get conned into paying). Just google Edexcell past papers (it is Pearson by another name) and search the A level papers. Also ask the school - most provide exam packs at a small cost of question banks (teachers have access to these too). And don't panic ! The mark schemes are all on line too. What I recommend is to split the computer screen in half and on one side have the questions and the other the mark scheme. Check the words required and if not sure why the answer is right look at book or ask teacher. Good luck

[Katsinhats]

Decorhate she got a B in her AS last year after a slow and shaky start. This year, she felt that things were going better, so the 'C' was a huge disappointment. Thanks for the suggestion regarding revision guides. I saw the CGP one on Amazon but didn't know if it was any good. She's been offered a place at St George's.

Thanks for suggesting asking for an exam pack mumsneedwine. I didn't know that schools could provide these. I like the split screen idea for questions and mark scheme!

[Dancingdreamer]

There is a website ChemNet which is supposed to support A level students. My DD certainly uses the site.