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Original poster

How much can GCSE grades improve in a year realistically?

40 replies

Morningcupoftea · 21/09/2026 12:10

Something has clicked in this year and my previously unmotivated child seems to be working harder and more motivated. They have a private tutor for English and Maths.

How many grades can they improve in a year realistically from current 4s and 5s which they were achieving with minimum work,

year 11

OP posts:
SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 21/09/2026 14:01

I didnt use tutors for maths I used the Heinemann text books and literally just went through alllll of them. For every concept/topic I read it and did first 3 (easiest) and last 3 (hardest) if I got them all right I moved on.
If not.... I did every question (there were 30 or 36 iirc)

This was WAY more effective than tutoring for me.

Good luck!

whereonthestair · 21/09/2026 13:53

My DS went from 6/5 for science to 9/8, and from 6 to 8 in maths, and 6/7 to 9 with 100% in English literature. He’s hard working and put his effort into weaker subjects. Some of his other subjects were already 9 predictions at end of year 10. The others 8s. They went up but not as much. Sciences and maths clicked around Easter. Eng lit he learnt how to deal with poetry.

Original poster
Morningcupoftea · 21/09/2026 13:08

Bzr · 21/09/2026 12:28

End of year 10 science was 33 final grade 87. End of year 10 RS 1. Mock year 11, 2. Final grade 8.

lots of hard work and a medicated ADHD diagnosis made the difference

Wooww. It can be done then

OP posts:
Original poster
Morningcupoftea · 21/09/2026 13:07

very positive. I think we the right support and if child put up the work they can improve a lot in 8 months

OP posts:
Original poster
Morningcupoftea · 21/09/2026 13:04

Boreded · 21/09/2026 12:34

My son failed his a level mocks, got diagnosed and medicated for his ADHD and ended up with 3 As 4 months later

Amazing. Congratulations to your son

OP posts:
Boreded · 21/09/2026 12:34

My son failed his a level mocks, got diagnosed and medicated for his ADHD and ended up with 3 As 4 months later

SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 21/09/2026 12:32

Youd be surprised...
I got a low D in my AS levels and got As 12months later (resat all the AS modules too)

I did A LOT of work.

Bzr · 21/09/2026 12:28

End of year 10 science was 33 final grade 87. End of year 10 RS 1. Mock year 11, 2. Final grade 8.

lots of hard work and a medicated ADHD diagnosis made the difference

XelaM · 21/09/2026 12:27

DoggerelBank · 21/09/2026 12:13

Depends on so many factors, bu potentially a lot. My DD went from a 5 in mocks of Eng Lit to a 9 in the actual exam. She had a great private tutor, and was pretty academic generally.

This. My daughter never got above a 5 in English Lit or Language (and was usually on a 4) throughout secondary school, but with the help of a tutor in Y11 got 9 in English Language and a very high 8 in English Literature in the real thing.

Octavia64 · 21/09/2026 12:25

Morningcupoftea · 21/09/2026 12:18

Maths does worry me a bit.can you move to foundation to higher maths?

Final decisions on which paper do not need to be made until January and can be changed right up until very late (for a fee).

yes, many kids at my school who we were not sure about sat mocks in November of both papers to inform the choice

Octavia64 · 21/09/2026 12:24

The average at my school was about two thirds of a grade.

but that included kids who did fuck all work.

some kids went up two grades. It’s totally possible.

ex maths teacher

DoggerelBank · 21/09/2026 12:22

@noblegiraffe is a good person to ask about all things maths.

Original poster
Morningcupoftea · 21/09/2026 12:18

Maths does worry me a bit.can you move to foundation to higher maths?

OP posts:
Original poster
Morningcupoftea · 21/09/2026 12:17

DoggerelBank · 21/09/2026 12:13

Depends on so many factors, bu potentially a lot. My DD went from a 5 in mocks of Eng Lit to a 9 in the actual exam. She had a great private tutor, and was pretty academic generally.

That is great to hear. A good tutor, teacher makes the whole difference if the child is motivated

OP posts:
DoggerelBank · 21/09/2026 12:13

Depends on so many factors, bu potentially a lot. My DD went from a 5 in mocks of Eng Lit to a 9 in the actual exam. She had a great private tutor, and was pretty academic generally.