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Original poster

2015 Yr 12 support thread

837 replies

Needmoresleep · 08/01/2015 11:48

Mocks this week, and the reality of AS exams in a few months is starting to hit home. I don't think it will be an easy journey, so would welcome some company.

OP posts:
BrendaBlackhead · 20/02/2015 11:51

Ds vaguely mentioned yesterday that all his friends are off on university open days etc. He said there was "some sort of meeting about it" Shock

I have posted about this before but I really don't want ds to get swept along with things and apply just because it's the done thing. His friends are very focused and clued up; ds is the exact opposite. I don't know whether to adopt the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" attitude or tell him it's ok to step off the conveyor belt. He is a (typical MN) clever boy and is predicted very good grades so has academic potential... only not yet!

Original poster
Needmoresleep · 20/02/2015 10:14

Two years ago when DS was in Yr 12 and thinking abotu visiting Universities someone poasted a brilliant link which in turn listed dates for different open days and links through to the Universities. As I remember some Open Days are very heavily over-subscribed (Warwick was one) amnd so you need to book early.

Anyhow, try as I might, I can't find the link/page. Does anyone else have it?

Thank goodness. Only two DC. No more GCSEs. And after this summer no more AS. I don't envy people who have over a decade of public exams.

OP posts:
TeaAndALemonTart · 12/01/2015 22:20

DS has done his mocks. He didn't do much revision at all, maybe three hours in total. I got sick of telling him to revise. I'm hoping the shock of the results get him moving a bit.

GentlyBenevolent · 12/01/2015 10:58

DD1 has been tested and tested too, but the tests seem very specific. And mainky occur in two subjects - very very little marked work that I am aware of in the other two subjects. We've had a parents' evening and one report but - I'd say the feedback is pretty limited. It's a concern, especially since DD1's focus is split between her school work and her music (she wants to do music, preferably at a conservatoire, so it's a real balancing act because if she gets in to a conservatoire, that's an EE offer - but she doesn't want two Es, she's predicted (at this point, obviously things may change after AS) A A A A but it's difficult to tell if those predictions assume uninterrupted focus. I suspect they might do. Several of her subject teachers seem to have little grasp of what her life is like and how much time she has to devote to music. Her likely UCAS choices will be AAB or higher, I guess, so she can't let the academic results slip...and she wouldn't want to anyway. It's a difficult time, although having said that she is hugely enjoying all the subjects she is studying (and fiercely resisting any suggestions from me that she should drop down to 3 subjects for A2 (it's standard to keep all 4 at her school). She has scored top marks in the class in each test for the subject she would drop which doesn't help matters I feel.

SecretSquirrels · 12/01/2015 09:47

The trouble with mocks is getting most 16 year olds to take them seriously. In theory they should be like a full dress rehearsal but often they are shrugged off as "just mocks". DS school are apparently making an effort to make them as real as possible to the extent of suspending lessons for "study leave" Hmm.
DS has been tested and tested so far. We get regular reports and he seems to be doing okay. Part of his problem is lack of direction. DC who have a particular career or passion seem better able to focus, there is a purpose which gives them drive. DS hasn't found that yet although I am relieved that he is happy with the subjects he finally chose after months of agonising.

Marni23 · 12/01/2015 08:58

Very happy to see this thread-thanks Needmoresleep

DD's mocks are after Feb half-term although they do seem to have had a fair amount of testing as they've been going along. She's finding A Levels much more interesting than GCSEs and seems to be doing a fair amount of reading round her subjects and her grades are good so far but we shall see. I'm hoping there'll be enough time to sort out any problems that emerge from mocks before the real thing...

GentlyBenevolent · 11/01/2015 21:37

I know what you mean raspberry - it's all very well being told they are on track for their predicted grades but...words are wind.

RaspberryLemonPavlova · 11/01/2015 19:40

DS1s are at the end of January, in his birthday week. He seems to be focussed, (he asked we didn't book his first driving lesson until the next week so he wasn't distracted), and his report was good. I think I want proof he is heading in right direction, and actually so does he.

I thought GCSEs were bad!

Original poster
Needmoresleep · 10/01/2015 17:17

I'm glad the mocks were early, and no bad thing if they highlight problems.

The ones I am expecting are:

  1. issues with a different style of exam. DD is doing sciences and she is naturally good at chemistry. She likes biology and seemingly knows her stuff but says the style of questions and what the examiner is expecting is quite different. I hope she has enough time to get to grips with this before the exams themselves. But would welcome any thoughts or tips.
  1. More work is needed. She could wing GCSEs by listening in class and taking a slightly minimalistic approach to homework. She recognises that sixth form needs more and that others are working a lot harder. She could also usefully read around her subjects. Again there is still time to put her foot on the accelerator. However its for her to do this. I can only sit and watch. There are lots of things we would like to tell our 16 year olds, but at the end of the day they are 16 year olds and will make their decisions using their own perspective.
OP posts:
GentlyBenevolent · 09/01/2015 08:46

Our mocks are in February. It seems a little late.

Leeds2 · 08/01/2015 13:37

DD's mocks aren't until March, which seems later than mots schools do them.

Excellent idea for a thread though, and Good Luck to all DCs doing mocks now.

SecretSquirrels · 08/01/2015 13:34

DS2 has his mocks next week.
I think he has probably done enough preparation but I anticipate a last minute panic.
He has the advantage of having an older brother who did January modules for his AS exams. DS1 coasted through GCSEs and got good grades without too much effort. It was a shock to discover that tactic did not work for AS levels and DS2 has apparently taken that on board.

His college are doing a proper "mock results day" as well, just to try and instil a bit of genuine tension into the occasion.