If you could choose when to have your kid take their GCSE

[HailSatan]

Would you have them sit it when they usually got equivalent As, sometimes Bs, on mocks or when they are almost getting 100% each time? Taking in to consideration that they would only need a C to then start A levels.

[elkiedee]

Not sure I understand the question, but I would want them to have had a chance to cover the syllabus properly and to learn and develop skills properly eg to have learned to write essays or to have key science skills developed so that they are A level ready. I understand that the taking GCSEs really early in order to do more subjects at 16 is now being discouraged, and it may be one of a very few things where I might agree with the government. For some subjects kids might be able to learn to pass the exam early but be able to get more out of it slightly later, eg GCSE English Literature (and probably Language).

I also think that it might not be a good thing to take a GCSE at 15 and then not study it again for a year if it's a subject you'd like to take at A level. And doing the exam as soon as you can scrape a C and then starting A level doesn't make sense. I don't think an A should be essential for starting further study, but consolidating knowledge and skills and understanding fully what is being asked of you will not only help get higher grades, it helps to get prepare for studying in much greater depth/at a higher level.

[April2020mom]

Not sure if I understand the question. However I probably want them to understand the basics. Also they need opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge of the subject as well.

For instance I want them to be able to write a decent essay and improve key skills etc. With a few subjects children may need a tutoring company to teach them properly and have a good chance of passing the exam. Taking a difficult exam early on is not always appropriate either. Consolidation of the required skills and knowledge is better in the long term.

Sparking real interest and passion for that particular subject is also important. For this reason I often recommend students watch documentaries and find articles related to geography etc. We also have interesting discussions about specific aspects in class time.

[TeenTimesTwo]

My DC could study for the next 20 years and not get near 100%.

So I'd want to take them at the same time of their peers at the end of y11.

I'd rather they took fewer and passed the important ones, than tried to take too many thus spreading themselves too thin.

I see no benefit to taking early and getting lower grades than if taken at the correct time.

[DieAntword]

In an ideal world I wouldn’t want them to take exams, I would want their teachers to be aware of their learning and skill development and expand on it as and when they were ready. Then when they had decided on a career and only then take whatever qualifications are required for entry at that point and not a bunch of superfluous ones just because it’s the hoop one jumps through.

[catslife]

Very few sixth forms allow pupils to take A levels with Cs (or equivalent) in one of the subjects they want to take at A level. So that assumption isn't correct.
If you are considering early entry then the pupil needs to have reached their full potential i.e. they would obtain the same grade that they would if they had taken the exam in Y11. However if the GCSE you want to take early is an A level subject that may not be a good idea because there will be a study gap if they haven''t studied for a year.

[HailSatan]

No the kids younger and would start A level straight away after so long as they get a C equivalent, it just put it in secondary because it's about GCSE.

[TeenTimesTwo]

No. Pointless.
Is this maths?

If they don't know maths well enough to get an A/7 they won't have good enough grounding for A level anyway.
Furthermore, there is loads more maths than GCSE/A level, much better to go wider into other topics, or do the UK maths challenges.

[titchy]

A C grade at GCSE Is a really poor preparation for A level. Don't. Unless you care more about showing off than what's best for your kid.

[HailSatan]

I literally said they rarely get below A equivalent in mocks but the teacher would be happy to start A levels on a C

[haba]

There aren't any As or Cs now... but I wouldn't be letting my child begin an A level with only a C. Particularly if they'd sat it early.

[TeenTimesTwo]

'rarely get below A equivalent in mocks'

This now leads into - why are they doing so many mocks?
What age are they?
What is the point of doing A level early? How will it benefit the child?
What subject?
Are they in mainstream school or what?

There are other ways to extend than pushing through exams meant for 16 or 18 yos.