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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:
MsAwesomeDragon · 17/08/2017 11:40

That's not bad at all for only a week's work for each module, and illness in the middle of those weeks.

TheGoodEnoughWife · 17/08/2017 11:41

A win for you both I agree. He did well though :-)

Yogafire · 17/08/2017 11:43

How does he feel about it?
It was a tough call for maths but fair play to him. It is true there is a knack to exams and I'm sure he'll do well going forward with his bold can-do attitude

TheNumberfaker · 17/08/2017 11:44

Best result all round. He has achieved an actual pass, but not a very good pass, so it shows that he does have talent, but needs to work at it to get the top marks.

annandale · 17/08/2017 11:48

Wow. Agree it's an impressively fair result and still shows incredible ability to pass after 1 week's work. All the very best for his future - he sounds like a natural researcher /problem solver to me, having experimented on himself so effectively.

EBearhug · 17/08/2017 11:51

I think that's a pretty good result, considering. Well done to him.

Harvestmoonsobig · 17/08/2017 11:52

Sound!!!

noblegiraffe · 17/08/2017 11:56

Worth pointing out that it was clear from marking his mocks that OP's DS is incredibly talented at maths and this result shouldn't be extrapolated to the wider population Grin

alltouchedout · 17/08/2017 11:57

I think it shows he has what it takes, and that if he can get a pass after a week;s work, he could get a fabulous result after a full course. Well done to him!

Polter · 17/08/2017 11:58

His goal was to pass and he's done it, well done him Star

He now needs to follow nobles's advice!

Jedbartletforpresident · 17/08/2017 12:12

Well done that lad! I agree a good result all round and lovely to hear that affirmation from noble of his wonderful ability in the subject, as well as the clear indications of his tenacity and drive to succeed. If he applies himself he could go far!

I really hope this is the nudge he needs to push himself to achieve his best, but also that he find true enjoyment in his studies whatever they may be

HateSummer · 17/08/2017 12:20

Well done to him!

hairymclarey152 · 17/08/2017 12:24

I just keep thinking what he could have achieved if he'd have applied himself at the beginning. It's quite the accomplishment against the odds. He sounds like he'd succeed whatever he turned his mind to. Best of luck to him

KeiraKnightleyActsWithHerTeeth · 17/08/2017 12:26

Well done to him, I think that's pretty good going.

PhilODox · 17/08/2017 12:29

Yay- he passed! Star

MrsSthe3rd · 17/08/2017 12:33

Huge well done, and congratulations, to your very talented DS Star

SteppingOnToes · 17/08/2017 13:01

He may find that an exam result of an U for one of the units will not allow him to actually pass.

girlwhowearsglasses · 17/08/2017 13:01

Ah - hope he takes that as a positive for the future

user1494154933 · 17/08/2017 13:03

What do you mean Stepping? He got an E overall?

Thanks for the comments, definitely a win all around :)

OP posts:
PinkSquash · 17/08/2017 13:09

Yay, congratulations to him, how does he feel?

fourquenelles · 17/08/2017 13:27

Thanks
Thanks for the update OP. Well done that man!
I managed to get a B in A level Geography back in the 70s thanks to a documentary on Alaska that the Beeb broadcast a week before the exam (teacher was a waste of space!).

Pantryboy · 17/08/2017 13:33

Yay!!! User thank you for telling us and congrats to your ds .....thanks to Noble giraffe too you have all been wonderful, big round of applause for everyone!

IamNotDarling · 17/08/2017 15:21

Amazing! Are you going to encourage him to the full course maths and advanced maths over a year now? Sounds like could have a bright future. I'd tell him to sack off the photography and try investment banking!

Waddlelikeapenguin · 17/08/2017 15:36

Good for him. I hope he's excited about the future Star

user1494154933 · 17/08/2017 16:28

He spoke to his college today and they can't offer him a Levels for free because he already has a full level 3 course and he would need to take up 3 subjects so although he is entitled until 19, as it will be longer than a year, they can't.

He is planning on resitting the AS and doing the A2 in a year.

OP posts:
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