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Original poster

Those with a DC in Year 9 they face tougher GCSEs and now A levels as well.

30 replies

SecretSquirrels · 05/04/2012 19:38

I have a DS in year 11 who is just doing his GCSEs and has a place at 6th form to do A levels.

Most of DS1s GCSEs have some form of controlled assessment together with a terminal exam. Many schools do modular exams which will no longer be allowed from 2013.

It just occurs to me that his younger brother faces the new terminal exam GCSEs and judging by this week's news he may well have to do new style A levels as well.
I've nothing against exams being rigorous but who will know in a few years time that high grades were harder to get if you were born after 1998?

OP posts:
ragged · 06/04/2012 19:45

There was a long thread about this on MN already.

RiversideMum · 06/04/2012 19:44

My DCs are in the same position.

Original poster
SecretSquirrels · 06/04/2012 13:10

Mine are the wrong way round as well. DS1 would have done better at terminal exams. He actually enjoys exams whereas DS2 gets into a state over tests and would suit continuous assessmentr .

OP posts:
Kensingtonia · 06/04/2012 12:59

I am in the same position with DD1 in year 11 and DD2 in year 8. Ironically I think terminal exams may have suited DD1 more as she is very bright but lazy and didn't put much work into controlled assessments etc - she has a very good memory and writing style. DD2 has dyslexia and struggles with remembering a lot of information and getting it down quickly.

I imagine that most of the kids applying to Uni for 2017 or whenever the changes are in force, will be in the same position. Even though I personally benefitted from terminal exams under the old O' level system, as I could be extremely lazy throughout year 10 and 11; I think a test of memory and being able to write quickly is not the best way to measure achievement. I also recall that some kids just went to pieces in exams and were crippled by nerves.

SeaHouses · 05/04/2012 19:53

I don't think it matters that the exams have got harder. I did GCSEs in the first few years after they came in, but my Grade B is seen as equivalent to a later grade B, even though those sitting GCSEs later did an easier exam or coursework equivalent. The same is now just happening in reverse.

What is unfair is that the current year nines (including my DS) are having two sets of exam changes to go though, and there are bound to be some problems in the changes that will take a few years to sort out. Changes should be staggered, but this Government seems determined to push through as much change as possible.