GCSEs in November?!

[Lifeisabeach09]

(Posting for traffic, really)
My niece (Y11) has told me that her year group have been informed that they have to sit their GCSEs in November. Is this happening elsewhere?

I get the reasoning (expected mass outbreak and school closures) but, holy hell, that's months ahead of schedule. Surely, some subjects could be converted to home-based coursework, essays, computerised exams etc whilst maintaining a similar schedule to the norm. AIBU??

Are you sure she doesn’t mean mocks? I have a year 11 Dd & haven’t heard anything like this

If they do their final exams in November what would they do for the rest of the school year?

I asked if mocks. Niece was adamant it was the actual GCSE but mocks would make more sense. I don't know regarding rest of year. Just wondered if this was going on elsewhere.

I can’t imagine they would have studied enough of the course by then to actually take the full exam.
Maybe they’ve said something like you have to treat these as your real exams in case you don’t get to take them in the summer? I know my Dd has been told that from now on every test & bit of work counts as you never know what might happen

my self and 3 of my colleagues have kids in this year group all at different schools in Trafford Manchester and Salford all 4 schools are setting exams for November but it’s not the GCSE exams

Yes, mine has got exams in what was supposed to be the second week of October half term, she’s not sure if they’re mocks or just a test!

Is she taking any btec subject? Some of those do the exam early

Is the school thinking that they can be entered for the exams that are being put on for previous Y11 who were unhappy with CAGs?

This won’t be allowed, the November series is resits only.

Last year's Y11 (now Y12) have a chance to sit exams for subjects where they weren't happy with the teacher's grade they were given in the Covid GCSE's. My daughter is sitting Maths.

GCSEs, Nancy.

Maybe they’ve said something like you have to treat these as your real exams in case you don’t get to take them in the summer?

It's possible-she seemed very certain. I'll speak to her mum and find out more. No way would any Y11 be prepared for the actual GCSE so soon (unless very studious, of course!)

Thinking about it, 1 school wouldn’t be able to take them early - surely they all have to sat on the same day everywhere? Otherwise a child from that school could go on Instagram & tell every other year 11 what’s going to be in the exam