Y11 2025/26 The Final Stretch

We had btec sport written exam here. 1st written exam for one of my DTs. She’s normally laid back but there was a last minute I can’t do this last night, so DH did some practice questions and gave her some tips. Arghh what are these exams doing to our DC
”how did it go?” Response “ok”
1 more done. We’ve currently done 3 of 51 exams here (yep I’m counting). 11 next week.

good luck to everyone’s DCs.
so glad for this thread to provide support and tips like calculator batteries which I’m now getting.

@Caddycat DD felt the same about drama. She got mid 60s and was a bit disappointed as had earmarked it as a possible 9. But there's still the exam to go and performance grade, so it may go up. Also teacher marked so may get moderated to a different grade.

German went pretty well today.. Listening was easier than expected and reading a bit harder but on the whole positive. Good to hear others went well. Good luck for those starting tomorrow.

My yr 9 is already talking about how they won't get any attention even when they're doing GCSEs as oldest will be doing A levels!

@TebheagI am grateful we no additional bf / gf dramas.. really the last thing you need to throw in the mix!!!
BTW I’m also guilty of not focusing on Yr9 child who tbh needs to pull his socks up to get into decent sets for Yr10..

DD is more relaxed about the first exam after a couple of hours reflection! Initially not happy as had a couple of questions she had never seen before so tried her best a third she had taught herself as thought it might come up which it did. So that gave her a boost. She was concerned she lost her chance at a 9 now decided an 8 would be ok.
Going to be a long wait till results day.
@Caddycat thats seems unfair telling them grades this close to exams

Agree 7s need mentally reframing as As . It really is a great score . Don’t let a silly new numerical system steal a sense of achievement .

DS2 took ICT today @36and3 . He’s been a little volatile since but has eaten most of his dinner thank goodness . I am a bit wary about disordered eating which wouldn’t help with 5 exams next week

English teacher here and we do CIE IGCSE so had first Lang paper yesterday and Poetry and Prose tomorrow. I love this bit - I always go at the start of the exam to cheer them on and try and be there when they come out. They were on a high after yesterday’s paper.

Oh i know that... tell that to my 15yo though! 🙄

But remember… a 7 in old money is an A!!

Absolutely @Littletreefrog do what you have to do, dont worry about it, they wont mind.
@Funkylights i agree, she would have been better off not knowing. They pour so much soul into the coursework, being told it's probably not even an 8 is demoralising. I think the night before the exam, it's also very unfair.

@Caddycat it feels like they’d be better not knowing. First exam done here. Went ok and no crisis so that’s a relief. 2 down 21 to go ( one speaking and one proper done). DD very tired

@Littletreefrog I’d say it’s dog eat dog so yes email every day. Fight his corner. Hope it works out as it’s so tough

Feeling frustrated with the exam officer at DS's school. DS is currently depressed, anxious, undergoing various assessments for autism which has only been mentioned as a possibility in the last few weeks following a disclosure of suicidal ideation and has very recently started taking medication that has increased anxiety, insomnia and suicidal thoughts as common side affects.

They want me to email them each day I feel his performance in his exams may be affected as they think he will have some good days Would it be reasonable to email them everyday? I can't imagine any exam will not be impacted in some way by what he's going through.

That’s still a perfectly respectable score! My dd hasn’t done any coursework subjects but I know she’d have acted similarly; they all have such high expectations of themselves which is great to an extent but the self imposed pressure makes me sad.

Yikes! What subject is this? I bet he did better than he thinks!

First for us is English lit on Monday. 5 exams next week 😞

Mine said the paper he did today is the hardest he’s ever seen for that subject :-( apparently friends thought the same - so I talked about grade boundaries varying a lot ! Need to keep him on track somehow . He’s barely eaten today though so trying to tempt him with a fav dinner . Hope everyone else’s DC got on ok today 🤞

DD just got back and she received her coursework mark for drama (Devising). She "only" got 62/80 and is feeling deflated. It seems to be one of the highest marks (her friends got 64 and 60, 2 others got 30...) but not what she had hoped. I think she really hoped she would get a 9 (her mocks suggested that) so she is sad.The written exam is tomorrow and she feels the pressure now. I've tried to sound as positive as possible but her teacher said she needed 75/80 for a 9, so she's a long way away from it. It doesn't include her acting part (scripted) as it's marked externally. I feel this exam period is going to be a lot of ups and downs...

German here today and still in school so it feels like a normal day. Which possibly helps but who knows!
Study leave doesn't start till after half term
Didn't realise I would be sat here feeling so nervous! Should be finished now so to just wait for the "fine" verdict when he gets home

Oh hugs to everyone's DCs doing exams and siblings also going through their own things.

And to us too!

Oh that's rough. They should at least let him have study leave in the morning. Bless him- hope he goes well.

@Caddycat i feel like I’m ignoring my year 9 son a bit. Which I guess I am! His older brother is really needy when it comes to revision help / body doubling and is taking all my time.
i’m planning a special day with my youngest after exams over. He loves a very expensive west end day out which he will be getting - just me and him

Good luck to your DCs @Stowickthevast @Wincher @Walkingbkwrm and @Funkylights (and anyone I forgot!) I hope all goes well for them and they aren't too stressed. I'm hoping some of the stress will go once they get started and "in the zone".

I feel a little bad for my youngest who has end of years exams but hasn't mentioned them because she knows I'm helping her sister a lot. She was really stressed this morning and I failed to notice over the week end. I'm sure she will do fine but I feel bad.

Good luck for all today!

Good luck to everyone starting today, especially @Wincher's DS for a stressful start.

DD has German but not until the afternoon.. I'm waking her at 8.30 and have told her to go for a short walk to clear her head.

Good luck to everyone starting / with an exam today - especially @Wincher ’s DS.
Hope the boyfriend has now messaged @Tebheag and so she can focus a bit more.
DS1 starts today too with one of his least favourite and least likely to pass exams. He is stressed this morning- I am trying to reassure him that it will get it out the way. He is unconvinced by the benefits of this, but hopefully will agree afterwards!

Good luck to everyone starting today. @Wincher hope the double exams go well.
@Funkylights hope she got a good night's sleep.

DD first written exam today really hoping she slept. Didn't seem happy last night as not heard from bf whish she didn't have one don't need extra stress!