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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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:
OhYouBadBadKitten · 19/05/2017 19:12

Once again Noble, thanks for your advice :)

noblegiraffe · 21/05/2017 15:29

@user1494154933 When is your DS doing the C2 mock?

Potentialpoochowner · 21/05/2017 19:27

This thread is fascinating. Your son is certainly able to apply himself with tenacity when he wants to OP and I really admire that.

Original poster
user1494154933 · 21/05/2017 20:29

hiya noble DS has been in hospital for the last few days :( he's absolutely gutted as he only has today and 2 more days until his exam and he has been doing his best today to do as much as he can. He is wondering if he could do the mock on Tuesday, as he isn't ready for it tomorrow, as he has only been doing it today, he says he is half way through the material and is using what you sent him??

Obviously his health was top priority, and he is absolutely fine now.

OP posts:
Mrsmadevans · 21/05/2017 20:35

Hope your DS is ok op you must have been very worried . Wish him luck for his upcoming exam my dear.

MyNameIsJane · 21/05/2017 20:36

Wishing him well User. Flowers

cardibach · 21/05/2017 20:42

Some schools work not even accept students onto the A level course unless they have an A at GCSE, such is the difficulty level.
I don't think I believe the OP who claims they got a B with no study. Not unless they had a mathematical background anyway.

noblegiraffe · 21/05/2017 20:48

Bloody hell, bad timing OP. Glad he is feeling better, what happened?

If he can do the mock Tuesday morning and get it to me around lunchtime I can try to mark it before the school run, otherwise it'll be quite late before I can get it back to him which won't be much use as the exam is Wed am.

Original poster
user1494154933 · 21/05/2017 21:26

noble he had a blockage in his intestines? It was the pain that was causing his so much trouble. He says he is going to do his best to do it tomorrow evening, but he can't be sure it will be his best, but he will try, so if that's easier??

@cardibach - what?? I don't actually know what you're saying? DS isn't studying this with anyone, he is doing it on his own. He did get a B in GCSE. He was given a provisional sixth form place (he was predicted an A) and on results day, the head of sixth form said he was accepted thanks to his maths teacher who told head of maths the potential he had for the subject. Otherwise he wouldn't have been accepted, as his sixth form was also an A for maths and A* for further maths. However, if after 3 months, he still wasn't putting in effort, they would make him drop that subjects, head of sixth form also said potentially have to leave the sixth form, so he decided not to go. If you don't believe me, I have actually taken a photo of his GCSE certificate with my username next to it and his acceptance letter into sixth form with username next to it (crossed out most info), but can't be sure that's what you're asking, so won't bother posting unless it is.

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 21/05/2017 21:46

Poor boy, that sounds grim.
Last time it took quite a bit of time to get it scanned and emailed, then printed at this end so even if he does it Monday night I may not be able to mark it till Tuesday afternoon - I'm teaching till 12.

Original poster
user1494154933 · 21/05/2017 21:53

noble that's absolutely fine, we are both very grateful you're even doing it! He will try and get it to you earlier in the day and plans on getting up early to finish the videos for the rest of the course in the morning and then get some practise questions in.

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 21/05/2017 22:34

No worries, I'm looking forward to seeing his next paper! It sounds like he should be resting though so make sure he's taking care of himself and not endangering any recovery by burning the midnight oil.

I always say to the kids 'don't plan to do all your revision at the last minute because what happens if you fall ill when you're meant to be revising' ....

cardibach · 21/05/2017 23:15

Sorry, that should read PP not OP. It makes no sense like that...
I'd also like yo take issue with posters who think they could 'waffle their way' through English Lit A level. We don't give marks for waffle. You need to know the text inside out, know something about the type if text/ school of lit, the genre, critics, perspectives...

Original poster
user1494154933 · 22/05/2017 19:13

Noble, he says he has sent over core 2. He thinks he hasn't done very well. To be honest, if he passes wednesday's exam I think it'll be a miracle. He will have only had 3 days to learn the whole stuff for it.

OP posts:
lougle · 22/05/2017 21:10

I've been lurking, but good on him for even giving it a go Star

noblegiraffe · 22/05/2017 21:43

Yeah he didn't do as well, he only got a C this time. Shock
He was seriously in hospital last week and only studied for 3 days? Confused

Etymology23 · 22/05/2017 21:44

Crikey good job OPs son! :)

eatingtomuch · 22/05/2017 22:37

Wow well done OPs DS. Hope he is feeling better.

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 22/05/2017 22:40

Genuinely just LOL'd at 'he only got a C'.

Hope he's feeling better OP.

Good luck for Wednesday, although I don't think he'll need it.

Mrsmadevans · 22/05/2017 22:42

Ahhh your poor son User
Hope he does well on Weds tell him God luck from us here
thank you Noble for helping the boy out it's very kind of you
OP don't you dare show his certificate the doubters can get lost
Hope you ds is much better too

Letsgetreadytorumbleagain · 22/05/2017 23:27

Just found this thread and I'm rooting for your son now Smile

I loved maths at school - always agreed with my teacher that maths is fun! I got a B at GCSE with no revision and my teacher let me do Maths A-Level. It was 4 modules (20 years ago Shock) Pure Maths 1 & 2, Statistics and Mechanics. I loved Pure Maths but hated the other 2 so stopped attending those lessons. I did no revision again and when it came to sitting the papers I only managed to write my name on 2 of them! I found the pure maths papers ok though and ended up with an E overall which I didn't think was that bad when I hadn't answered a single question on half the papers!

This thread has reminded me how much I loved Maths though - maybe I should think about studying it again. Is it possible to do a pure maths A Level now?

noblegiraffe · 22/05/2017 23:28

Even if he completely fails on Wednesday (which would be entirely understandable given the circumstances) there is no way in hell he should be allowed to let this stop here.

If he doesn't go on to do more maths in the future then it will be an absolutely shocking waste of talent.

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 23/05/2017 07:39

I love how this thread has gone from us all saying he'll never do it to everyone hoping he does.

OCSockOrphanage · 23/05/2017 22:37

DS sits C2 tomorrow, and is blown away by the calculator recommended upthread. And tonight he worked out something that has baffled him for months by following through a mark scheme's workings, so is optimistic of 6 more points he's been missing, which is nearly a grade improvement. Thanks and Flowers and good luck to the OP's talented DS.

noblegiraffe · 23/05/2017 22:47

Just a quick warning about the fancy calculator - use the fancy functions to check answers rather than as the sole source of answers. There was a question on OCR C2 last year that said 'use integration to evaluate...'. Kids who just typed it into their calculator got 0 marks as they hadn't actually used integration. They need to integrate the function themselves.