GCSE Support Thread 2013

Anyone else's now leaving revision for those exams that are after half term till the holidays? Is that enough time? I suppose it's planning of some sort.

Hello, DS is year 10 and is doing Eng Lit., Science and a history module this year. He is a very bright boy but severely dyslexic and has terrible problems with his maths too. He's doing higher tier Eng Lit and his teacher says he's capable of an A or A* based on his understanding of the subject but this just doesn't translate to his written work. He got a C in the first module but I'm hoping he can do a bit better. As far as the other subjects are concerned I'd be delighted if he got Cs.

We're in Wales too but Welsh Bac isn't compulsory in his school.

Cooroo I love your idea with the science. DD2 works really well from pictures, we've been making little revision cards with me writing and her doing the pictures (short end of the stick or what?) but I think her drawing as I read and we talk would work really well as she loves drawing. It's time consuming anyway as it's only me teaching her so it may as well be "useful and fun" time consuming!

Hi. I was on last year with DD1, Back this year with DD2 who is taking just 2 IGCSEs this year, Biology and Sociology. She's only 13 (Year 9 so not so young) but is home ed and we spread them out as it's easier.

First paper 7th May so just over a week EEEEKKK! Biology papers all before half term and Sociology all afterwards, which is rather nice :)

DD1 was very laid back last year and kicking her into action was difficult. Different problem with DD2. She's a complete perfectionist and is getting herself in a right state about them. That right state does not translate to extra revision, oh no. It translates to stropping and not speaking to me on a very regular basis and crying.

Sigh. She is desperate for As minimum, particularly in the Biology as she wants to go on and study science at A and degree level and because DD1 got them (which is a ridiculous reason). She keeps saying "What did DD1 get for this paper? What grade was DD1 getting at this stage?" She will not believe that I cannot bloody remember!

DD1 is now at college doing AS levels and is suddenly revising beautifully for them, brightly coloured posters all over her wall with revision notes on them. Her exams start on May 13th, coursework done already.

Despite only doing two, I certainly need to be on here for DD2!

At ds1's school they do all the exams at the end; so he has mod2 sciences a well as mod3! 11 exams before half term. Incl two days with 4 hrs each day. Eek!

Yes DD1 starts 13th May. Seems quite busy up to half term with all the Unit 3s of the sciences, MFL, RE, PE etc. Sort of waiting til May 1st as it will feel suddenly near as it's May!

Can't get the link to work!

Thanks for the link Inncogneetow will have a look.

I know I have to let her do it her own way, we all learn differently , but I really don't think she's doing enough.

Maybe if she doesn't do well in her mocks it will give her a bit of a wake up call.

I'm more stressed thn she is, just can't wait for it all to be over.

Let her choose the way, Doinmummy. When I did Olevels I just used to write everything down longhand, it worked for me. But my DD does little doodles instead. Colours them in. I suppress frustration, because it does seem to work for her.

What exam board Doinmummy?
is a great revision site for AQA science. There are videos on all the different topics, plus you can print out sheets and add extra notes, etc.

We have got the revision books and I'd like to help her revise. I think it would help for her to read a bit and then me ask her questions but she won't do it that way. It's so frustrating . I just can't see her doing very well.

Doinmummy, has she got a science revision book? We did Y10 biology intensively - a good hour every night, working through a page. I skimmed it, then read it out to her, we talked about it and she drew little pictures as she went, which is her best way of working.

Managed to keep it cheerful (abandoned if she was too tired and nothing going in) and she went and got an A for it! Haven't managed a repeat, it was too time-consuming, but very rewarding.

Hi , didn't see this thread , so started one of my own. Can I join in? DD year 10 has got science in May, she just doesn't seem to be revising enough, but I can't make her and nagging just causes rows. Also really worried about her maths, I think I'll have to get a tutor in, she just doesn't get it though, might as well be speaking Swahili to her.

Textiles deadline here too , which has meant her staying after school and doing extra work in ner lunch break .
Also Welsh Bacc deadline . It's compulsory ( in her school ) but it seems to be a waste of time ( and paper ) compulsory in 6th form too .
Anyone else in Wales ? Is it the same for you ?

Can I join too, dd2 is doing English x2, Science x3, History,RE, Latin and Dance, luckily she has already done maths and got a B, its not her strong point so will leave it at that.She is also entered for the English laureate, not really sure what thats all about but I think she needs above C in 5 subjects for it to be awarded.

Morning, 9 GCSE's to do here, Art and DT already in, but the remaining 7 to do....

We have a week from hell starting 20th May with 7 papers in one week...

Predicted A's in Art and DT, C's in everything else, but I'm expecting a D in one of the Sciences or Maths....

We are doing IGCSE Boards, which seem hideously hard.

For the first time this morning, she got up at 6am to learn about the kidney!

GCSEs here too. DD is in year 11 doing Maths, English x 2, Science, Spanish, History, Textiles, Music BTEC - I thought it was more? May have forgotten something!

Textiles deadline was yesterday and jacket not finished. She's cheerful - had to do a technology but not very motivated and says it's more important she spends time on her History. At 16 it's much harder to nag her into working.

Exam timetable apparently 'lost' and she'll get another. Seems FAR too laid back to me, I did O levels in the dark ages and had revision plans all over the place!

Results so far mostly ok though. She had to do an English 'talking' test, which seemed to involve having a nice chat about computer games with her English teacher, who assured her she'd get an A*! Science and maths much dodgier though.

Torn - it's good she's not stressed, I don't want to make her miserable, but I think she should be just a little bit more anxious!

What exam board is she doing CSECE? I know AQA and WJEC English Lit and Lang exams are just before and just after Whit half term?

That seems very poor that the exam dates are not being communicated to parents! We've had exam dates (in various draft formats and stages) four times, including the final statement of entry.

DD is in Y10, has had Maths papers already, and has English next Tuesday. Though she has no clue if it's Lang or lit...she was only told today. No exam dates given to parents, so a little difficult to help with revision!

Glad to see this - I was wondering if there was one around!

Have a dd in year 11, first exams start on 13th May. I expect I'll be back in spades then!

Oh dear.... 2nd maths GCSE retake, and she got a worse D than she did last time... oh dear oh dear. Maths is not a lot of fun.

Not much revision going on at home here, but she says they are doing it all in class. I'm just leaving her to it, cant see any sense in nagging!

I have DS doing 'A' levels ( well geography A level , ICT which is all course work and Welsh Bacc )

DD doing GCSE ( English , Science ,Welsh , Maths , Drama ,Textiles, ICT and History )

She doesn't seem particularly worried , and when I nag ask her nicely to revise , she says she is , and plays with her phone . Grrrr

She doesn't know what she wants to do , so will have to stay on at school for 6 th form .

I keep telling myself that I've only got 2 more years of it .... 2 more years ...2 more years ...

OK I have some actual marks 48, 49 & 51 each out of 80......