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Original poster

DS did really badly in AS mocks

40 replies

truelymadlysleepy · 25/02/2014 18:49

He worked hard and felt quite positive when he came out.
Got A in General studies (which seems to be be a waste of time) B in History, E in Geography & U's in Physics & Maths.
I feel like a crap mother for not forcing him to work more or maybe he's just not cut out for higher Ed.
He so wants to go to Uni, but it's not looking positive Sad.

OP posts:
Logg1e · 25/02/2014 20:34

I think he needs remedial work rather than revision. Revision sessions might leave him feeling even more lost.

inthisdayandage · 25/02/2014 20:31

As he did well in gs and history it seems to he is good at essay style questions. Although not sure re the geography. Perhaps maths and physics aren't for him. Could he drop one of those to concentrate on the other stronger subjects. Most uni offers are based on 3 a levels. Unless of course he plans to study physics....then it might be worth a rethink.

I agree that most students do better in real exams than mocks so don't despair yet. Also it's quite early for mocks, my school are doing them in a few weeks time and we will be doing more papers subsequently. Tell him to keep working and be positive. Are school offering revision sessions he can attend?

Original poster
truelymadlysleepy · 25/02/2014 20:19

Unexpected, he did OK in his GSCEs; x4 As x6B's.
At his school (State Comp) General Studies is Compulsory. The norm seems to be x4 AS plus GS then drop one for A2.
He really wanted to do Physics and the school suggested he do maths.
Not sure what Uni course yet, maybe Geography or Land Management type thing.
Tetris thanks for the reassurance, I hope this shock will get him back on track.

OP posts:
Unexpected · 25/02/2014 20:12

How did he do in GCSEs? What does he want to do at uni? Does he NEED Physics/Maths? Why is he doing 5 AS subjects anyway? Shouldnt he be doing four? And who advised him to do General Studies?

TetrisBlock · 25/02/2014 20:11

I'm not too far out of school so can I please reassure you that my mocks were much harder than the actual exams? I was a straight A student all through but had Bs and Cs in my mocks. Almost everyone in my year did worse than expected in them, pulled their socks up somewhat and mostly sailed the real exams. You'd almost think that was the desired effect? Hmm Grin

Original poster
truelymadlysleepy · 25/02/2014 20:08

Very helpful, thank you Hmm

OP posts:
Logg1e · 25/02/2014 20:05

I think a 'U' is worse than "rubbish" and I think for four months' work on the easiest part of the course it's pretty futile. I think your son has just discovered that physics and maths aren't for him.

Original poster
truelymadlysleepy · 25/02/2014 19:50

So on the strength of 2 rubbish results you'd withdraw him altogether from those subjects? Seems a bit harsh.

OP posts:
Logg1e · 25/02/2014 19:44

So it's like a second chance?

I don't think I'd want to pay his entrance fees for maths and physics either.

Original poster
truelymadlysleepy · 25/02/2014 19:37

I think that if he fails again they won't let him sit the real thing.

OP posts:
Logg1e · 25/02/2014 19:32

I'm not sure how re-sitting his mocks would help. You don't fatten a pig by weighing it, so it sounds odd advice.

Olivegirl · 25/02/2014 19:28

Both my dds are doing A levels

It's seems to be the norm that no one puts too much effort in for the mocks!
They did pretty average but they seem to manage to pull it together for the actual exams.

It's not your fault ...I can't make mine revise ..they are old enough now to know what they have to do to get good grades..

Original poster
truelymadlysleepy · 25/02/2014 19:24

School say re sit. He only did Maths as he was told to if he wanted to do Physics.
He says the maths teachers have 'written him off'.
I know it's his problem and know that only he can put it right. But he has work quite hard.
I just feel so sad for him.

OP posts:
ajandjjmum · 25/02/2014 19:11

Might be a lesson for him.

DS got a U in a Physics module in the Spring of A2, re-sat a got an A, and went on to study Physics at uni. It can be put right - he just needs to want it enough, and be prepared to keep asking questions and bugging teachers until he understands.

I know there's no point in saying don't stress.....Grin

Logg1e · 25/02/2014 18:58

It's his studying, not yours, and he's old enough to take responsibility for it.

What advice are the school giving?

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