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Original poster

How much do grades typically improve between mocks and GCSEs?

110 replies

winterrabbit · 08/01/2024 23:04

DS1 took his mocks before Christmas. Did very little revision so we're not expecting anything great but hoping to avoid a disaster as well. He got his results in Physics, Chemistry and Biology today and got 4, 5, 5 which I am a bit disappointed about as he got all 5s in the same subjects in the last assessments. No other results yet. Any idea what his predicted grades will be based on those and how much kids typically go up between mocks and GCSEs?

OP posts:
clary · 09/01/2024 07:06

winterrabbit · 08/01/2024 23:48

Clary. don't they get their offers for sixth form based on their predicted grades?

Show quote history

Not ime. Sixth forms, apart from the very competitive ones, want bums on seats. They may (should) have grade requirements (6 or above in chosen subjects IMO) but that will be actual grades. He should have applied already and you can hold multiple offers

SunflowerSeeds123 · 09/01/2024 00:19

My DD went up a grade in all but one which went down 2 grades but she'd stop trying in that subject because she had absolutely no interest in it. Still got all 5s to 9s

MaloneMeadow · 09/01/2024 00:08

MaloneMeadow · 08/01/2024 23:49

DD put absolutely 0 effort into her mocks and came out with 7776654433

Thankfully it was the shock she needed! In the real exams she came out with 8777766554

Should also say that one of those 3s was in maths! The threat of not being able to get back into school for sixth form really scared her. Managed to bump it up by 2 grades to a 5 in the real thing with a really good tutor. For someone who rarely managed more than a 4 in maths (definitely takes after me, much more English minded) it was an achievement

Original poster
winterrabbit · 08/01/2024 23:57

Fordian · 08/01/2024 23:55

If your DC put zero effort in, and I guess they're 15, with all 'ex-teacher's' advice, you're on a hiding to nothing. Your influence over '15' isn't huge.

One of two things will happen: they'll get a hell of a shock or they still won't care.

Maturity is a beast.

Research options. Tech. Apprenticeships. Whatever BTECs are called now.

But, don't waste everyone's time with low grade GCSEs on meaningless A levels.

Fordian, it's not wasting anyone's time than his own. I don't think his results are so bad as to think he won't be able to do A-levels. Lots of kids don't knuckle down until a bit later. Your job as a parent is to do your best to make sure they do. It may fail but you need to try.

OP posts:
Maddy70 · 08/01/2024 23:56

Usually a grade difference. Occasionally you see a miracle

Fordian · 08/01/2024 23:55

If your DC put zero effort in, and I guess they're 15, with all 'ex-teacher's' advice, you're on a hiding to nothing. Your influence over '15' isn't huge.

One of two things will happen: they'll get a hell of a shock or they still won't care.

Maturity is a beast.

Research options. Tech. Apprenticeships. Whatever BTECs are called now.

But, don't waste everyone's time with low grade GCSEs on meaningless A levels.

MaloneMeadow · 08/01/2024 23:49

DD put absolutely 0 effort into her mocks and came out with 7776654433

Thankfully it was the shock she needed! In the real exams she came out with 8777766554

Original poster
winterrabbit · 08/01/2024 23:48

clary · 08/01/2024 23:45

Yes I agree, assuming he is capable of better grades than these, they will only improve if he really focuses on the work now. He has four months and that's time to make a difference but he needs to do it.

I guess couple of grades up is possible if he is able and really did v little work, bit less likely tbh.

Predicted grades for GCSE don't matter, especially not at this stage. Sixth form or college will just look at his actual grades in August.

Clary. don't they get their offers for sixth form based on their predicted grades?

OP posts:
clary · 08/01/2024 23:45

Yes I agree, assuming he is capable of better grades than these, they will only improve if he really focuses on the work now. He has four months and that's time to make a difference but he needs to do it.

I guess couple of grades up is possible if he is able and really did v little work, bit less likely tbh.

Predicted grades for GCSE don't matter, especially not at this stage. Sixth form or college will just look at his actual grades in August.

caringcarer · 08/01/2024 23:28

In my experience as an ex teacher with 25 years experience 1 grade is typical provides the DC actively works to revise, attends revision sessions etc. They won't improve if they don't do more than They are doing now. I'd suggest a revision timetable and for DC to do about 40 mins at a time in evening then spend 10 mins going back through the same material the following morning to set it in their mind. If it's Saturday or Sunday maybe they could do 2 X 40 mins in different subjects. Get them to have a revision list for each subject and tick off as they go so they can see their progress.