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AIBU?

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Original poster

GCSE grades

193 replies

UndertheCedartree · 18/01/2022 22:25

My DS is studying GCSE Maths and English at college. I'm just trying to figure out if he is doing ok as we haven't had much feedback. In the latest mock tests he got a level 4. He only started in September but will be taking the exams this Summer. What kind of grade could he be expected to get in his GCSE exams?

OP posts:
NinaProudman2022 · 18/01/2022 22:28

Depends on his capabilities, aspirations and the teaching he receives etc. I think a grade 4 is a pass but only just.

QueenofLouisiana · 18/01/2022 22:31

I think they usually expect students to move up by one grade between mocks and final exams- assuming they work and revise.

MrsBlondie · 18/01/2022 22:31

A grade 4 is a pass. 5 is a good pass. 6-9 even better.
He should be pleased with a 4 - time to improve too.

whatnumber · 18/01/2022 22:35

He only started in September and got a grade 4 in his mock = is he doing great.
4 isn't a near pass as the pp says. It's a valid pass and means you don't have to resit.
He has more time to learn and revise for the real exam when it happens so could her higher than a 4 in the real exam.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 18/01/2022 22:36

@QueenofLouisiana

I think they usually expect students to move up by one grade between mocks and final exams- assuming they work and revise.
When would those mocks be done as they do a 'mock' every half term.
OP posts:
whatnumber · 18/01/2022 22:36

Should have said he IS doing great Smile

toomuchlaundry · 18/01/2022 22:37

Why is he doing them in a year?

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 18/01/2022 22:38

Thank you for all the feedback!

OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 18/01/2022 22:38

@whatnumber

Should have said he IS doing great Smile
Ah, thank you!
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Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 18/01/2022 22:41

@toomuchlaundry

Why is he doing them in a year?
It seems to be the way they do it. But had very little information. There will be a parents evening and I've asked when but not had a reply. From what I gather if they think they will pass they will put them in for the exam this summer. He says he is definitely doing them this summer. I'm not sure if it is worth waiting and getting a better grade?
OP posts:
Whyarewehardofthinking · 18/01/2022 22:44

You say he is doing them at college; is he resitting them, rather than taking them in Year 11 at school? Resits would nearly be done in one year; at school they are done across year 10 and 11.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 18/01/2022 22:46

No, sorry he is in Y10. He is home-educated but now studying part time at college.

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Whyarewehardofthinking · 18/01/2022 22:53

Ah, OK. Nothing I have experienced before then. Is he with students of the same age? We have a group who are sitting them in a yesr but they are students in our foundation year and mostly year 12 students.

A grade 4 is a pass, roughly equivalent to a mid to low C. It is the minimum grade that most employers and colleges/universities would accept for standard entry. We would normally expect an increase of around a grade from formal mocks in December/January to the exams in May/June.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 18/01/2022 23:03

@Whyarewehardofthinking

Ah, OK. Nothing I have experienced before then. Is he with students of the same age? We have a group who are sitting them in a yesr but they are students in our foundation year and mostly year 12 students.

A grade 4 is a pass, roughly equivalent to a mid to low C. It is the minimum grade that most employers and colleges/universities would accept for standard entry. We would normally expect an increase of around a grade from formal mocks in December/January to the exams in May/June.

The other students are Y10 or 11 age.

So probably looking at a level 5. Which would be enough for getting onto an A level course (one of his options). He is very bright, though so I'm sure he could do a lot better if given more time. But is there any point in getting a higher grade than you need to progress?

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LulaLulaloo · 18/01/2022 23:07

I think they usually expect students to move up by one grade between mocks and final exams

Not all schools/colleges work the same. Our recorded grades are what we expect them to get at the end of the year. So my year 11 grades went home last week with some saying 6 for example, that could be because they are consistently working at that so I think they will get it or they are at a 5 but making a lot of progress so I think they will get a 6 in their exam.

It doesn’t massively matter what he gets other than for whatever he needs for his next step, if he wants to do a college course that requires a 9 then obviously a 4 isn’t high enough, but an apprenticeship requiring a 3 would mean he is doing brilliantly.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 18/01/2022 23:11

@LulaLulaloo

I think they usually expect students to move up by one grade between mocks and final exams

Not all schools/colleges work the same. Our recorded grades are what we expect them to get at the end of the year. So my year 11 grades went home last week with some saying 6 for example, that could be because they are consistently working at that so I think they will get it or they are at a 5 but making a lot of progress so I think they will get a 6 in their exam.

It doesn’t massively matter what he gets other than for whatever he needs for his next step, if he wants to do a college course that requires a 9 then obviously a 4 isn’t high enough, but an apprenticeship requiring a 3 would mean he is doing brilliantly.

Thanks for the advice. He will probably either stay at the college and do a vocational course that needs level 4s or move to 6th form to do A levels requiring 5s.
OP posts:
Swonderful · 18/01/2022 23:11

Some colleges only enter them for foundation level maths where they can't get a high grade. You may just want to check with them to see if this is the case.

Comefromaway · 18/01/2022 23:12

Most A level courses require mostly grade 6 and above (7 and above if you are taking A level maths and sciences). Students with mostky grades 4/5 GCSES are usually directed towards Btec/A level courses.

There will often be some allowances made for home education in terms of number of subjects. But not really in grades.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 18/01/2022 23:24

@Swonderful

Some colleges only enter them for foundation level maths where they can't get a high grade. You may just want to check with them to see if this is the case.
Thank you - I will
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Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 18/01/2022 23:26

@Comefromaway - we have looked at the local 6th forms - they ask for 5 level 5s, although level 6 if you want to do 4 A levels but I think 3 is plenty.

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Comefromaway · 18/01/2022 23:36

That’s incredibly low entry requirements. Most would struggle with 3 A-levels having only achieved 5 Grade 5 GCSEs.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 18/01/2022 23:53

@Comefromaway

That’s incredibly low entry requirements. Most would struggle with 3 A-levels having only achieved 5 Grade 5 GCSEs.
@Comefromaway it was always 5 grade C to do A levels when I was young and I'm not aware of them struggling.

Anyway, not an issue here as DS is very intelligent.

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Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 18/01/2022 23:54

I mean I'm not aware of those getting grade CS struggling at A level.

OP posts:
gsaoej · 18/01/2022 23:57

Depends on what A levels he wants to do. My ds did his options recently and I know that a grade 5 in GCSE maths for example would not be enough to do A level at his school.

BluebellsGreenbells · 18/01/2022 23:57

There’s usually three papers

Year 10 can be placed in either of the two lower papers and if they pass do the higher paper the following year in year 11

DD did the intermediate paper in year 10 and passed and then studied the higher paper for year 11.

This is not an unusual way of doing it.