Y11 2025/26 The Final Stretch

Just sent DD of for revision session at school. She’s more nervous this morning than I’ve seen her yet - history is her favourite subject and she wants to do it at A Level. She knows her stuff well I just hope her nerves settle 😬

My DT’s did AQA Maths yesterday. DS who I would say is definitely stronger in Maths said it was OK but hard and he couldn’t do the last question. DD said it was fine so yes, it’s hard to equate their attitude to how an exam went with the final grade I think. I imagine DD was expecting it to be hard and would already be thinking she wouldn’t be able to do the final questions.

Just History for DS today. He was in school for 7.30 for a last minute revision session with his class and teacher. DD has a normal timetable. No study leave at our school.

New thread (hope I’ve done the link right!)

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/5529790-y11-2025-26-exams-have-started-chat-support-drink-of-choice-if-needed-here?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share

History for DS tomorrow and DD has an exam free day but is going into school as they don’t get study leave. DS is going into school at 7.30 for a pre-exam History session organised by his teacher. Dedication on both their parts as he’s late to school most days!

My DD is the same, she almost looks grey bless her! She’s doing a bit of an obscure history board (CAIE) and as well as the history exam tomorrow morning, she has a third, clashing with chemistry on Monday morning. So she’s going in, doing chemistry, staying in her seat for 10 minutes, and then being dished up the history paper. She’ll just have to manage, but I was interested as to whether others have this clash, or is it down to the history board being quite obscure. I don’t know why school chose this board, topics others have been talking about which have sounded quite interesting (medical history for example) she’s not touched on at all.

Dd said OCR Foundation Maths was ‘fine’. She needs to get a 4 (obvs), hoping for a 5 but doesn’t need it for college. She’s dabbling in some History revision now, nothing too in depth but I’m just glad she’s holding up ok.

Honestly at this point, looking at my dd and my Y11 students, they’re all two shades paler than they were 2 weeks ago, and I think they just need to be wrapped in blankets and fed tasty treats, and have baths run for them and be wrapped up in love. I’m not pushing it with revision (at least until Sunday 😉)

DS said he had fun in his maths exam, but he’s very odd.

He seems to run out of revision steam when it gets to actual exam time though, so I hope he gets a decent (for him) amount done this weekend, and then over half-term.

@UncomfortableSilence I think we're nearly full!

DS at home and cramming history because he wants to go to football practice. He must be serious because he hasn't requested any screen time

@Caddycat that is really helpful. Thanks.

Exam was 'good' apparently. Edexcel Foundation maths. Realisedhe forgot to go back to one question but it was only worth one mark.
Stayed at school for extra History so I think that's enough for today.

@36and3 Fingers crossed.

DD was after a 9 got very upset as she had made a silly mistake and lost a mark and didn't get a 4 mark question.
Thought it would easier with a child who scores high if anything it's actually harder !
Teacher also went over a past paper in class while DD was in an exam so DD was told by her lovely class mate she has lost a possible 8 marks on her paper as she knew what DD answer was for it. No idea why he was going through that when they have another exam tomorrow on the subject.

History and Latin for DD tomorrow..

Maths done, onto history tomorrow. DD has asked for help tonight so it’s an evening of medicine for me also 🤔

DS (Edexcel GCSE Higher) said there was a tricky question on circles but the paper was ok otherwise. That's him finished for the week, on to Chemistry on Monday.

7/8 hopefully

What grade is she hoping for ?

DD found OCR harder than they had hoped. Is trying for a 7 but isn't sure she was good enough (especially with so many people coming out saying it was easy). She always finds the non-calc hardest though. I feel like after all the long wait to get started over the last month, the exams are flying by now.

DD had OCR maths today - said she ran out of time which she never has before…so who knows?!
She is a solid 5 student who has been working with a tutor as she wants a 7!

I'm pretty sure the last 3 questions would be the "9" questions, so she can still get a very good grade without those, and there are 2 more papers. Still, I understand why she is upset, she doesn't need this now, but you can reassure her that it will be fine.

She said she was fine until the last maybe three questions.

Your poor DD. If it helps reassuring her, DD tells me she didnt use the formula sheet.

DD is home and tearful. It’s been a bit of a day. She has history and sociology tomorrow. I’m just hoping she can put this behind her and focus on that. Poor kid. She has worked so very very hard and is a rather anxious and sensitive soul as it is.

@Wolfiefan how awful, your poor Dd.

I got my boards wrong, DD actually did Edexcel so seems similar to others, generally good but a couple of tricky questions.

Anyone else’s DC doing Educas maths (higher)? Won’t hear from DC till much later as there’s a post-school revision session.