GCSE 2018 no. 6: stress, struggles and success (hopefully) *Title Edited by MNHQ*

DS is also a bit of a maths whizz (got a medal in the intermediate olympiad) but still make mistakes in the GCSE papers. I think part of it is because he is so messy and also does so much in his head he makes silly mistakes; he says that it is because some of the GCSE stuff is so easy and boring he doesn't really think and that leads to silly errors. No matter how good they are I think they all make silly mistakes

He had his German oral yesterday and wasn't happy about how it went because "the teacher asked him ridiculous questions!" He was planning on seeing her today and telling her in no uncertain terms that it was her fault he had done badly , but fortunately by this morning he had calmed down!

Well done to all DCs who are cracking on. DD is studying Psychology, Sociology and Philosophy & Ethics. Can't wait to get out of that hell hole!

Panettone - DS1 is doing Ad Maths FSMQ - you're right it is a lettered exam (top mark A). I think Further Maths is a GCSE.

In his school (v selective) there are 8 sets and only the top 3 do Ad Maths. He got a 9 in his mock for Maths GCSE but a C in the Ad Maths.

I think he will do better in the Ad Maths in June as they hadn't completed the syllabus but it is definitely hard! He's planning on doing Maths A Level (plus Physics, Chemistry and History).

Some fantastic results on here! Very talented children indeed.
DS also has Christmas Carol (NOT boring - be glad it wasn't Great Expectations) Macbeth and Inspector Calls. Power and Conflict for the anthology.
As for A level choices, he put down maths, comp sci, psychology (and biology at preferred school) but I suspect this is going to change!

I think DD is quite enjoying the revision sessions and they seem to be structured to weaknesses (class sit past paper one lesson - teacher goes through answers slowly within class). Looks like Computer Science finally finished (apart from one bit of homework) and exam questions are now being covered in class sessions too :-).

DD struggling with really bad leg cramps (which come with her period) so not sleeping great...was hoping that this would coincide with HT during the exams but looks like she will end up suffering through Physics/Maths and Eng Lit exams - so not great timing.

I'm interested to see that other very able mathematicians are prone to losing marks for sit reasons. DD1 has the same problem - she's forecast a grade 9 and is certainly capable of it, but always loses marks for things like missing a decimal point or writng the wrong number down early in the problem. I have no idea how you fix that and would be interested in any hints.

Her Add Maths is an FSMQ.

Jufusmum so pleased to hear she got an offer, that should be the motivation she needs to knuckle down for the last few weeks at her current school!!

Lobster your DD is clearly a drama queen........great result!

DS still has a heavy cold but he said he would rather go to school as its more relaxing than staying at home and revising He really is very unimpressed with the revision lessons.......how are your DC finding them?

It’s probably been asked before but I’m still not sure if posters talking about Add Maths and Further Maths (in Y11) are the same thing. I know what DS is doing is an FSMQ - are Add Maths and Further Maths different names for the same thing?

I also know that the FSMQ has letter grades - but I thought A was the highest but TheSecond is posting about her DS thinking he was on A* / A^ border....

#confused

Congrats jufusmum. That's great news

Dd is planning maths, computer science and geography at A Level. She's still considering FM too but she's not sure. I think she'll be more likely to do it if she gets a 9. She missed it by 5 marks in the March mocks but hopefully she's improved in a few weaker areas since then.

Mind you she also needs to pass English language. Otherwise she'll be retaking that.

Evening - fell off this thread again and finally found you all again! I cant believe we were chatting on about GCSEs and they are nearly here! DD has done her French speaking which went well, and now working towards 14th May for RE.

@whatsforteaaa - my DD is doing same English Lit as your DC - she hates Christmas Carol as its sooo booring, not fused about Macbeth but loves Inspector Calls. She doesn't mind the poetry and is planning to do Eng Lit at A level. She is consistently working at Grade 8 but school are looking what she needs to do to achieve a 9. I keep reminding her that a 7 or 8 is more than expected so could do with school backing off!

@hesmylobster - a couple of meltdowns here, but seems resigned to the exams now. No strong revision going on, usually averages 2 hours a night and 2-3 each day of weekend - really hoping it is quality over quantity.

@mmzz - DD school only covered the English Language stuff just before Easter and up to last few weeks - having not touched it at all since year 9. I hope they know what they are doing. A bit late now I suppose.

@sost - the patio looks fab - great effort. Hope DGD is on the mend.

Tassomai being done here but I think she is only on 11%! She is on target for each subject though according to the app, so I am leaving her to that. She likes doing it and it is easy to do little and often. School are incentivising them to use it with chocolate bars. She had done the most in the last week so got a Twirl.

Study leave here is apparently after half term, with intervention classes being run most days. DD said she will go to those she feels she needs - I would prefer her to go to school each day at least for some part of the day, just to get her out of the house. I also work full time and with her anxiety issues, I am not sure how she will cope. It would only be for the 2.5 weeks until her exams finish and I think she has an exam most days, so probably not something to worry about. I am more concerned about the 4 weeks before the school hols finish - what will she do??!! Needs a little job!

Prom dress collected last weekend as well - shoes and bag bought, just ticket to pay for - £48!

JufusMum that's great news!

DD got an offer for her first choice of Sixth Form finally!! Last school to send out offers!! Got one of the 30 places from over 70 applicants. Best SF in the area. Needs an average of a 5 in all subjects and a 6 in English Language. Going to be nervous until 23 August now!

HesMyLobster that's a great result for the drama practical. Is it something she's interested in doing at A-level?

Possible reasons (this is me speculating):

Transcription errors when copying down values from the question.
Rounding too soon in the working.
Converting from fraction to decimal too early in the working.
Rushing ahead and trying to combine steps, which increases the risk of error.

how does it happen that your DS2 gets a merit at the Olympiad, but messes up GCSE questions?

This is an extremely good point. I wish I knew. He has a tendency to overthink and overcomplicate his solutions.

HesMyLobster - Well done to your DD...

I was tempted to suggest that perhaps he could focus on making fewer careless errors in GCSE Maths papers before attempting an A-level paper.

DS2 did his Further Maths mock last week. He messed up two questions but still managed 86% which he thinks is on the border between A* and A^

Tomorrow, while the rest of the class are doing a Maths GCSE practice paper, DS2 and his friend have asked the teacher if they can do a C1 paper instead (for fun).