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Original poster

Are 8 GCSES enough?

53 replies

Janevaljane · 03/10/2020 09:26

DD is currently studying for 9 GCSES (the school recommends 10 maximum). English x 2, maths, history, French, RS, double science and 3d design.

She's really not enjoying 3d design at all and regrets choosing it. She's going to give it until half term and then make a decision.

If she drops it, she'll only be doing 8 gcses and I just wanted to check if that will affect her later. She's a diligent student and working at a solid 7 in most subjects (apart from maths where shes a 4/5).

Thank you!

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Lucinda76 · 07/10/2020 15:03

Hi @Janevaljane

Absolutely plenty! Far far better to get 8 great grades that 12 mediocre ones. GCSEs are just a stepping stone to the next phase of learning....... noone really cares in the long run how many ....so long as you have good grades in at least 5 including - English, Maths, Science ....also a language good.

HasaDigaEebowai · 07/10/2020 09:01

DS2 is at an academically selective independent but has a visual processing disorder. He does fewer subjects and does 1-2-1 extra maths and English with the learning support teacher in the spare slots. I'd far rather him have 8 decent GCSE grades than 10 less than great grades.

Original poster
Janevaljane · 07/10/2020 08:37

Yes, her sport is worth keeping up particularly as she'll want a sporty university and hers is at a high enough standard its worth briefly mentioning on her personal statement. Thanks all.

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elkiedee · 06/10/2020 22:59

In addition to what everyone says, if she's going to keep up the sport, even if she can't do a qualification in it, and she's really good, surely that should count for something, It doesn't sound like she'll be lazing aroujnd as a result.

NotDonna · 06/10/2020 20:08

@Janevaljane

No, I don't think so titchy, they can do prep in blank slots (private school).
8 is fine. It’ll give her an opportunity to do extra maths in her old DT time, thus a better grade in a much required subject. If she can get that 4/5 in maths to a solid 5 (or even a 6) then it’s worth it especially if she’s not enjoying DT and unlikely to get a good grade. Lots of kids do 8 and it’s better to get decent grades with 8 subjects than less decent with 9 subjects. As pp have said, 8 is plenty for 6th forms and no employer will care.
Original poster
Janevaljane · 06/10/2020 10:57

Hmm not sure. Oldest dd did triple and got BBC, middle dd dod double and got 8.8. All quite similar academically.

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Notcontent · 06/10/2020 10:51

Maybe think about triple science then? At my dd’s private secondary school everyone does triple science and they manage it.

Andi2020 · 05/10/2020 21:31

Sorry to jump on your thread
My dd2 said she really wants to change Health and social to something else
She would literally pick anything just to get out off it. Her form teacher will not allow her move. I asked will I email school or ring and she said no they would give out then in front off the whole class your going home whinging what should I do don't want to make trouble for her in school but don't want her wasting time doing a subject she hates.

Original poster
Janevaljane · 05/10/2020 17:04

Thanks all. I thought the school would encourage her to keep it but apparently her tutor said fine, if you hate it don't do it. She thought they might at least put up a fight! So I guess she'll drop it. She has a new maths teacher who she really likes and she's making good progress. Apparently she's told him she needs a 6 and he's 'working on it'.

So I guess 8 gcses it is.

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CamillasHardHat · 05/10/2020 10:24

Ds1 is doing A level physics but still only did combined science for GCSE, far better that he ace that with a 9,9 than get a lower grade for biology which was his weak point or spend time on biology when he could be working on other subjects.

He did 9 GCSEs, the core ones plus 4 options. Better to have higher grades and a lower number of GCSEs than a higher number and lower grades surely.

Re the free slot, definitely work on the maths. School can help identify weak spots so she can focus on those. There are also an abundance of maths GCSE videos on YouTube which will help explain concepts and then she can practise it. Her school may well have their own "my maths" or similar.

Original poster
Janevaljane · 04/10/2020 23:35

I'm not sure she's academic enough to do triple. She was in bottom set science last year (although they said bottom 3 sets were the same really) and she's now in set 2 of double science (out of 5). She really enjoys science though. Gets about 70% in tests.

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Ginfordinner · 04/10/2020 23:33

Is it too late to ask if she can do triple science? At DD's school triple science took up an option, so the triple science students had more science lesons than the double science students.

Original poster
Janevaljane · 04/10/2020 23:30

I think she wishes she'd done triple science tbh

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samosamimosa · 04/10/2020 23:29

8 gives a good mix, my ds is doing triple science, maths, English, engineering, PE and geography which leaves everything except languages open to him.

Original poster
Janevaljane · 04/10/2020 23:14

Thanks. I'm sure she won't be doing medicine, although perhaps physio. I'll see what the school say. Their selection is a bit rubbish, tbh. The local state have far better choices for a 'creative' gcse,.PE, music technology both of which she would enjoy.

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Rummikub · 04/10/2020 17:13

www.themedicportal.com/application-guide/choosing-a-medical-school/gcse-requirements-for-medicine/

Varied from zero to 9
Most ask for 5/6

Cakecrumbsinmybra · 04/10/2020 17:12

*for !

Cakecrumbsinmybra · 04/10/2020 17:12

8 is enough pretty much anything she might want to do.

Rummikub · 04/10/2020 17:09

I’ve looked recently and the ones I have seen ask for 7.
Best way is to research yourself for the potential uni/degree of interest on here
www.ucas.com

Ginfordinner · 04/10/2020 17:06

When you look at uni entry reqs the most that eg medicine ask for is 7 GCSEs.

I believe it is 8, not 7. It was 8 when DD was considering medicine.

Rummikub · 04/10/2020 16:52

Have a look at different uni requirements. They’ll list what they expect and it might reassure you both.

Original poster
Janevaljane · 04/10/2020 16:45

I might not be being pushy enough but actually I'd quite like her to enjoy the next two years as much as she can. If 8 is fine for uni then that would be great. Still haven't heard back from the school, I know they'll encourage her to carry on in the first instance (she's happy to carry on until half term)

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Rummikub · 04/10/2020 16:43

8 is plenty. When you look at uni entry reqs the most that eg medicine ask for is 7 GCSEs.
Better to get higher grades in 8 than lower with 9.
An art based subject does take a lot of work - to the detriment of other subjects I think.

Original poster
Janevaljane · 04/10/2020 16:38

They only do PE at A level sadly otherwise that would have been a definite.

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