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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:
robinia · 10/05/2017 08:45

Some people just get maths. They see the patterns and understand the concepts without really being taught them.
Given that your ds got a B at GCSE, I suspect he is not one of them but you never know!

Original poster
user1494154933 · 10/05/2017 09:07

Hi all, yes... Work is happening today. He was up at 6 and has been away at it since! I'd love to know what he was honestly thinking about it right now.

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 10/05/2017 09:11

Drop in with a cup of tea for him and check the lie of the land!

SoulAccount · 10/05/2017 09:16

Just take the attitude "ok, let's see! How can I help you?".

The truth will out!

Frouby · 10/05/2017 09:18

Bless him. He will learn and probably benefit more from his experiment than an actual pass.

marmiteloversunite · 10/05/2017 09:42

My DD is doing her AS maths this year. She has been studying really hard all year and is quite bright but she is really struggling with it. She got an A in GCSE maths but keeps telling me she might only get a D in the AS.

I think he might be deluded about how much there is to learn in a week!

trixymalixy · 10/05/2017 09:50

I'm very good at cramming for exams. I think a week is too short though.

Two weeks before exams is my cut off point and that means two weeks of full time studying the subject.

After 4 years of university exams and 5 years of professional exams though i have had a lot of experience of sitting exams and have finely honed my studying and exam technique.

KingPrawnOkay · 10/05/2017 09:57

All throughout secondary school I was getting A*s in maths, golds in all the maths challenges and such and was told I'd do very well at Oxbridge. Did maths at A level and got a D in AS, it's a whole different ballgame and the questions are not straightforward in terms of what they're asking you to do. Was too embarrassed to do a resit Blush. I am very interested to see how well your son does!

EBearhug · 10/05/2017 10:03

I too am interested. I didn't realise until too late that A-levels weren't going to be as easy as GCSE - but it's actually one of the most useful lessons I've learnt in life.

booloobalooloo · 10/05/2017 11:38

I could see you doing this with a subject like English where alot is how you understand and interpret a text. Maybe. But maths... I doubt it.

runloganrun101 · 10/05/2017 11:46

When I took A Level maths for the first time got a D.

Recently, after several years in an analytical role, I was helping a friend's daughter and decided to randomly do a couple of past papers - 100% in both. So it's possible I guess.

LynetteScavo · 10/05/2017 12:31

Who knows...he could be the Eddie Eagle of maths...

Tazerface · 10/05/2017 12:45

Ah, to be 18 again and know everything Grin

I think I could probably waffle my way through an English A level, but maths....he will actually need to know how to do all those formulae.

I guess it's possible if he's really clever and maths comes easy but I doubt it.

runlogan you don't think your several years experience is a bit more helpful than ten days cramming?!

runloganrun101 · 10/05/2017 12:48

My role doesn't have anything to do with A Level pure maths per se. A Level English/economics/statistics maybe, but if I could waffle through partial differentiation I think most people could.

Mrscog · 10/05/2017 14:48

I was going to say you were being unreasonable but as maths no way!

My friend did get a B for English lit GCSE without ever reading the texts or attending a single year 11 lesson though!

MissBax · 10/05/2017 15:09

I think he sounds like a bright guy to be honest. Im a mature student (29) doing a degree at the moment. Only got 3 GCSE's as I didn't remotely care at the time. I'm in my final year of university now on a healthcare course and have received a 1st in every assignment bar 1 in 1st year, and am on track to qualify with a 1st. We've had exams every year and I've used my technique to pass each year only revising 2 weeks before. I'm not saying this is the right way to retain information in the long run, but he's right - it doesn't really measure someone's intellect, or even their understanding of a subject. It literally means they're able to recall information within a few weeks. Ask me anything on my last exam and I wouldn't have a clue now.

MissBax · 10/05/2017 15:11

They've been biology exams each year by the way - so not too far detached from maths.

titchy · 10/05/2017 15:43

Ask me anything on my last exam and I wouldn't have a clue now.

That doesn't exactly inspire me with confidence in your ability to treat my healthcare needs - not sure I'd be bragging about that.Hmm

MissBax · 10/05/2017 15:59

titchy considering we have to learn EVERY part of the body/body systems, almost all diseases, symptoms, diagnoses, treatments, medications and contraindications, it's quite unrealistic. When I qualify I'll be specialising and so won't need to know 85% of that info anyway. You can be reassured that I'm very knowledgeable on my specialty (public health). Unfortunately ask anyone on my course a random question about the basal ganglia of the brain, and unfortunately I don't think any of them could answer it (unless of course it's where their interests lie).

GemmaWella81 · 10/05/2017 16:12

Yr 18 yr old son OP?

Did you say yesterday on that other thread about young women that yr early 20's.....23 I recall.

But sure, he can learn to pass in a week.

noblegiraffe · 10/05/2017 16:46

I just searched the OP and as far as I can see they've only posted on this thread?

youaredeluded · 10/05/2017 16:52

A level maths is fairly easy these days. I did a similar thing and taught myself the course in a week or something. AS is a pile of piss. 2 core modules and one optional. If he did well at GCSE he could pull it off.

noblegiraffe · 10/05/2017 17:26

He didn't do well at GCSE, and AS isn't a piece of piss.

AppleAndBlackberry · 10/05/2017 17:44

I think he will fail. I got an A* at GCSE with very minimal revision and I finished the paper(s?) with at least an hour to spare. I also got an A at A-level, but I would have struggled to teach myself at all, let alone in a week. Unless A levels are significantly easier than 20 years ago...

marmiteloversunite · 10/05/2017 22:09

They're definitely not easier Apple

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