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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

Original poster

Ds planning to quit before A level exams !

39 replies

stirling · 05/03/2024 22:51

Any advice gratefully received.
DS is currently in a crisis, two months before his upcoming final a level exams, he's thinking of " not doing them " because apparently good unis won't consider resits.

Slight backstory, incredibly bright , all 9s at GCSE, fine throughout Y12 except that he spent the entire year 24/7 with a new girlfriend, obsessive relationship. Ridiculous, they were literally living together. No work.
Applied to Oxford and froze when challenged with the MAT paper, despite some prep (obviously not enough because he was otherwise occupied!)

The mat test was catastrophic. Not only did he lose that application and imperial too, he's scuppered up his capacity to perform in school tests, mock exams....he's just freezing. Was predicted all A*s but now unlikely to get Bs or C's as he's freezing.

He thinks quitting now means he gets an extra year to get it right.
I'm despairing.

All unis applied to are London Russell group, wouldn't take on advice to include a backup uni.

Thank you

OP posts:
Daftasabroom · 05/03/2024 23:54

Pulling a year isn't as big a deal as people make our I needed space at that age, as did DS1 (Now Oxbridge) id also suggest OB are not all they're cracked up to be.

HanaJane · 05/03/2024 23:51

Poor thing it's such a lot of stress. Perhaps he would be better taking a year off from it all? Or taking them and see how he does, he might not end up in one of "the best" unis with Bs and Cs but depending what course he wants to do still could get in somewhere good that might end up suiting him better in the end

Original poster
stirling · 05/03/2024 23:43

ilovebreadsauce that's really helpful perspective. Doctor seems to think he may have some autistic trait or neorodivergent trait but it needs formal testing which involves a long wait...

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ilovebreadsauce · 05/03/2024 23:36

Has he got a special need? I don't think you get extra time just fir anxiety? You can stop the clock and have a rest break, but not extra.
There is a big difference between GCSE standard and Oxbridge aptitude test standard and indeed A level.Some kids peak at GCSE, whilst others come into their own working at higher levels
Yes he is right that the most competitive unis might take a dim view of resits, but they will also take a dim view of him working at half speed ie 3A levels studied over 3 years ( when most oxbridge applicants will have done 4 over 2).

Original poster
stirling · 05/03/2024 23:17

Thelondonone school and doctor both have urged him not to pull out

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Original poster
stirling · 05/03/2024 23:15

parietal you're right he's reacting to pressure.

When asked about his freezing up on his MAT exams , he replied "my life depends on it "😭

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Original poster
stirling · 05/03/2024 23:13

noblegiraffe we spoke to our GP today, she asked him so many questions and concluded he should see the school counselor or have a referral for ADHD assessment or neorodivergent something....

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Original poster
stirling · 05/03/2024 23:11

Thank you so much for your swift replies. BobbyBookcase that's what I thought too, assessment doesn't seem to be the way though with a pure maths degree. He's very passionate about the subject and wants to study it but hates the testing system

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noblegiraffe · 05/03/2024 23:03

Has he seen a doctor about the anxiety?

parietal · 05/03/2024 23:00

why not let him delay a year? he sounds like he has been under enormous pressure (either from himself or trying to meet everyones expectations) to get straight 9s at GCSE and be applying for top universities etc. and now he is reacting against the pressure.

let him take a year out, play music for fun, take an art class, mess about a bit. and when he is ready, he can go back to studying.

Thelondonone · 05/03/2024 22:58

Will he resit the year? Or just the exams? Unis can see when he did the exams do they will know he took 3 years. However, if his mh is that bad then maybe it’s for the best. I’d see how it goes. What do school say?

BobbyBookcase · 05/03/2024 22:57

Maybe a less traditional course with more continuous assessment would be better then, rather than Oxford or Imperial.

BobbyBookcase · 05/03/2024 22:56

It won't be the end of the world if he delays a year.

Original poster
stirling · 05/03/2024 22:55

I should add that he gets 100% on all exam papers when doing them at home. He's very bright and knows the content.

He's suddenly anxious under exam conditions and has extra time plus a different room....my advice to him so far has been to work on his self talk. And stay resilient.

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