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

[user1494154933]

This is going to sound ridiculous and I wasn't going to post, as you'll probably call me stupid 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 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?

C4 Vectors - it'll calculate the angle between two vectors for you. I hate doing that!

I love that we have all just totally geeked out over calculators! I still have my one from years ago that you can type the a b c equations into and I love it. I am now considering an upgrade!

In between calculator talk - OP has your DS started his C2 study yet?

That sounds useful!

The regression line stuff will come in useful too next year as I'm apparently going to learn all the applied content of the new spec in my gained time this term and teach it from September. Not my idea, if rather sick to the core that I know really well, but that's what I've been allocated.

noble yes :) he is doing it as we speak actually!

I forgot to thank the person who said their DD would mark a mock for him, that's very kind and he is very grateful, thank you.

noble he has asked if any students ever do better in core 2 than core 1?

@teen civil engineer.

I don't need it as such (although it will be extremely useful), but I want it.

OP, I've just seen his email. I've looked at our results spreadsheet for last year and there were quite a few students who did better on C2 than C1.

Mostly they did worse, but some did better. So there is hope!

From the thread title my immediate thought was 'yes, it's possible.' Then I saw it was A-level Maths and frankly, fuck no. It took me three resits to get the grade I wanted (needed) in that and I studied my arse off for months. Unless maths is 'your thing' (and it's definitely not mine) exam technique has f-all to do with it. It's bloody hard!

He emailed you? He's so bloody impatient! I said I would ask!

Of course he's impatient, he's only got a week till the next module, every second counts!

I've been following this from the beginning and rooting for Op's son. However the best bit has been all of you getting excited over calculators. Haven't understood a word you've said about maths though

I'm apparently going to learn all the applied content of the new spec in my gained time this term

I already teach S1 and M1 so I'll be ok, but the thought of learning that all in gained time doesn't seem great. Still, you could always cram it in the week before you're due to teach it as per OP's DS!

noble what do you think he will get?

He isn't sure if he will do it again properly if he fails it... I don't understand why he is considering other careers now though!

No, it doesn't seem great to me either. But I've got a fair amount of gained time since I've got 2 year 11 classes leaving next week. I have taught m1 before, but that was 10 years ago so I need a bit of revision. The stats I will be teaching myself from scratch as I have literally never done it.

I've got loads more time than op's DS though, I've got the whole of the summer holidays :) Dd can help me too, as she's doing both m1 and S1 this Sumner. It does feel like that's the wrong way round though.

and at least there is no decision to learn!

I have no idea what he'll get, I'm afraid, user. If you'd asked me before the mock I'd have said a U. Now I think he could pass. Hopefully he has learned from his C1 experience and will tackle C2 more sensibly, then he has far more time to study for FP1 so he has a chance to improve. He's obviously very bright!

When you say he's now considering other careers, what do you mean?

Thanks. Well photography was obviously his chosen thing and this was all just a game but he now thinks that he will hold back from going to uni just yet (was planning on doing something photography related) and explore other subjects more. That's nice to hear imo as I thought a degree in photography really wasn't wise.

DD is doing Stats 1 and Stats 2 but I'm not investing in a new calculator for her as she is saying never, ever again with Maths.

FP1 is her favourite module of all apparently, if it was all like that she would love it.

Good luck to your son user. I'm glad he's getting a second chance.

DD sat this today and was not happy. The teachers said it was very hard. To be fair to your DS if he flunks it, the last couple of years have got exponentially harder and harder (I tutor maths)and are a world away from the 2006 papers. It's not fair at all on today's students, but that's another story.

DD worked almost every past paper and was getting A grades solidly on the last 8 or so but she has cried quite a lot since taking core 1 today and says it was terrible. Her boyfriend did MEI and was quite happy. She's a bit pissed off over it because she is much better at maths than him (and isn't just saying that; I've been supporting them both). But hey ho, maybe her core 2 paper will be better.

Which applied module is your DS doing, decision, stats, or mechanics?

I also suspect core 2 will be harder for him to grasp in a week but he does have the advantage of a calculator in this one.

I find this fascinating but I think it technically is possible with solid hard work. The mark schemes and examiners reports can tell you a lot.

If we are talking calculators, both DD and I have one of these -

www.amazon.co.uk/Casio-FX-CG20-Advanced-Graphic-Calculator/dp/B004YVJKAM?tag=mumsnetforum-21

It's eye wateringly expensive but utterly amazing. Graphs in colour, and the stats functions are just amazing. It's one of my most treasured possessions - which when you think we are talking about a calculator here is quite something. Our college buys them in bulk at educational rates and sells them for £72. It's a huge advantage to have, especially if you go on to the A2 year and core 3 and 4. You have to be careful to clear everything from the memory before you go into the exam.

music - he is doing the further pure module. Good luck to your daughter.

Haven't understood a word you've said about maths though

I have learnt what surds are. (Thank you, Google.) My autocorrect hasn't, though.

I have the same calculator as musicposy. It is great and students find it easy to use generally. (Matrices are weird but only my Further Maths students need that). I agree with the person who said how good table is.

I think that calculator brings into question, when does a calculator become a computer.