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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DS thinks he can teach himself to pass an exam in a week. AIBU to think he is wrong?

755 replies

user1494154933 · 07/05/2017 13:45

This is going to sound ridiculous and I wasn't going to post, as you'll probably call me stupid Blush or irresponsible, etc.

My son is now 18. He isn't a 'genius' or anything like that. He did ok at GCSEs but didn't try hard at all. I used to try my best to get him to revise for him exams, he refused to and said it was pointless and exams don't help etc. which is ridiculous because as much as I do agree it's about memory, you clearly do need to know, anyway, he did ok and got accepted into sixth form, he decided not to go and got a part time job but did a part time photography course in the evening (he is still doing that).

I don't really know how it came about but I think I brought it up about how his exams were important and does he agree now he has matured and he was saying how he doesn't agree because exams aren't showing how intelligent you are, etc. and anyone can do them if they learn the exam technique. Last year (around december) he was telling me how he was going to prove it, he booked himself into the Maths AS exams for this summer (last year you can do these ones I believe). He hasn't learnt anything yet Hmm and I keep bringing it up (he spent £150 odd pounds for the exams (private candidate) and will sit them at his college he goes to part time) and he is telling me 'to wait and see'. He says when he has a week until the exam he will start learning the technique of it? I could slightly understand if a different subject, but he seems to think for Maths it works the best. I really don't understand his whole thinking behind this, but can't wait to be like WTF when he doesn't pass...

AIBU to think this is just stupid and not possible?

OP posts:
user1494154933 · 15/05/2017 19:47

Yes he did his mock and I was his invigilator Grin I'm just about to send it to noble now :)

OP posts:
eatingtomuch · 15/05/2017 19:51

Got to love this thread it is keeping me entertained 😂

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 15/05/2017 19:52

No pressure then, noble

MN is waiting with bated breath.

OCSockOrphanage · 15/05/2017 20:09

DS sits C1 on Wednesday. He is revising hard and shitting bricks. He has a B at GCSE and is currently getting Cs. Good luck to the OP's son!

msrisotto · 15/05/2017 20:20

What are his reflections on this experiment so far user?

DixieFlatline · 15/05/2017 20:38

Unfair marking isn't exclusive to maths.

You know what, I and others have pointed out that it is not something that exists in maths papers, and why. If you're going to keep making the claim, time to actually present a coherent argument and back it up. You're clearly either not interested or not capable, so I'm out.

ZilphasHatpin · 15/05/2017 20:40

Dixie, I'm not sure why you're so intent on an argument but I agree, I think it's best you are out.

Mrsmadevans · 15/05/2017 21:19

I bet he will do very well I have a good feeling about it

Haffdonga · 15/05/2017 21:29

I'm guessing Noble wont be publishing this lad's score here, whether he does well or badly. (Not her info to share). And User's ds may well not want his score posted on the internet so there's a good chance we'll never find out.

But User , for all of us curious, sceptical or just plain nosy readers - would you give us a general idea whether your ds has encouraged or the opposite by his score?

noblegiraffe · 15/05/2017 21:35

Well I've marked it and returned the score....

annandale · 15/05/2017 21:38

Ooh noble you tease! Grin

noblegiraffe · 15/05/2017 21:42

Sorry, just checking whether I'm allowed to post the score!

Mrsmadevans · 15/05/2017 21:47

From this I am wistfully? thinking that he did very well and if he did I am glad for him and his mum

Mrsmadevans · 15/05/2017 21:51

It's very good of you to mark it Noble well done!

Mrsmadevans · 15/05/2017 21:52

I want a happy ending lol

Blueemeraldagain · 15/05/2017 21:54

I'm so torn (secondary English teacher). Part of me wants him to do badly for the reasons noble has outlined but I am a sucker for an underdog story....

noblegiraffe · 15/05/2017 21:55

Ok, OP's DS got 61/75 which is a B, one mark off an A. Shock

BUT, his paper has to be seen to be believed. It is the sort of paper I would love my students to produce. Beautifully neat and clear working. Barely a single mistake in some quite complicated fraction calculations.
He has not copied the markscheme, the answers appear genuine.

This kid should not have got a B at GCSE. Confused

TeenAndTween · 15/05/2017 21:56

Well done OPs DS!

Haffdonga · 15/05/2017 21:57

Bloody brilliant!!!! Grin

drspouse · 15/05/2017 21:57

Sounds like some serious bunking off in GCSE year.

MinkowskisButterfly · 15/05/2017 21:58

Wow! Well done OPs son! Grin

eatingtomuch · 15/05/2017 21:58

Wow that's amazing. He has tomorrow to study further.

MsAwesomeDragon · 15/05/2017 21:58

Wow! I'm amazed! If he's as good as that then how on earth did he only get a B at GCSE?

Mrsmadevans · 15/05/2017 22:02

Oh well done Noble , Op's son and OP I am ecstatic and I don't even know you all , didn't he do well!

annandale · 15/05/2017 22:06

Was he just bored by the GCSE questions??

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