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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:
Workyticket · 18/01/2022 23:59

College GCSEs tend to be for re-sits

I'm assuming he was given Teacher Assessed Grades last year at grade 3?

I work for a huge college - we only offer GCSE Maths and English alongside vocational courses, no other GCSEs

English - Grades 1-9 available via the same exam

Maths - he'll be in a Foundation class or a Higher class. We only have Foundation for the re-sit 16-19 year olds

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 19/01/2022 00:00

@BluebellsGreenbells

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.

Thank you - maybe this is their approach
OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 19/01/2022 00:01

@Workyticket

College GCSEs tend to be for re-sits

I'm assuming he was given Teacher Assessed Grades last year at grade 3?

I work for a huge college - we only offer GCSE Maths and English alongside vocational courses, no other GCSEs

English - Grades 1-9 available via the same exam

Maths - he'll be in a Foundation class or a Higher class. We only have Foundation for the re-sit 16-19 year olds

They are not re-sits he is Y10.
OP posts:
Workyticket · 19/01/2022 00:02

Year 10 and at college?

thetutor · 19/01/2022 00:14

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 19/01/2022 00:22

@Workyticket

Year 10 and at college?
Yes, he's home-educated and studying at college part time.
OP posts:
freckles20 · 19/01/2022 00:41

My thought would be that if he's allowed to take the gcse next year instead of this year then I'd try to steer him towards that option as it will give him the maximum chance of getting the best grade that he can.

English is a core subject and doing it in 1 year rather than the usual two doesn't give him a fair chance compared to other people.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 19/01/2022 07:40

@freckles20

My thought would be that if he's allowed to take the gcse next year instead of this year then I'd try to steer him towards that option as it will give him the maximum chance of getting the best grade that he can.

English is a core subject and doing it in 1 year rather than the usual two doesn't give him a fair chance compared to other people.

Thank you for the advice.
OP posts:
Comefromaway · 19/01/2022 09:24

A lot has changed since you or I were doing A levels. The curriculum has been completely overhauled.

He really would be better off I think waiting a year to try and get higher grades if A levels are his aim.

Our local college offers courses for Home Educated children from aged 14-16 but unless they are exceptional and expected to get Grade 8/9 in Year 10 they would take the exams at the end of Year 11. Looking ahead it would affect university applications too.

My (highly intelligent but autistic son) got one Grade 8 in the subject he wishes to study at university and the rest were Grades 3/4/5 (5 in maths, 4 in English Language & 5 in English Lit) and is does affect which universities he can apply to as some score GCSE's. His Btec prediction is D D D.

Seeline · 19/01/2022 09:30

What A levels does he want to do?

In my experience, any remotely sciency A levels, including maths, computer science usually require at least a 6 in maths GCSE, often a 7.

Even things like Psychology and geography sometimes need more than a 5.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 19/01/2022 09:48

@Comefromaway

A lot has changed since you or I were doing A levels. The curriculum has been completely overhauled.

He really would be better off I think waiting a year to try and get higher grades if A levels are his aim.

Our local college offers courses for Home Educated children from aged 14-16 but unless they are exceptional and expected to get Grade 8/9 in Year 10 they would take the exams at the end of Year 11. Looking ahead it would affect university applications too.

My (highly intelligent but autistic son) got one Grade 8 in the subject he wishes to study at university and the rest were Grades 3/4/5 (5 in maths, 4 in English Language & 5 in English Lit) and is does affect which universities he can apply to as some score GCSE's. His Btec prediction is D D D.

Thank you for the advice. My boy is autistic too. Yes, I suppose things have changed a lot! But the schools around here definitely ask for 5 level 5s to study 3 A levels. I mean I think he is capable of getting higher grades than that but that is what they ask for.
OP posts:
Seeline · 19/01/2022 09:50

Have you checked the requirements for individual A levels? Most places ask for minimum grades at GSCE specific to individual A levels.

maddy68 · 19/01/2022 09:52

4 /5 is an old c.

It depends on his target grades as to if he's doing well or not

LIZS · 19/01/2022 09:52

He might be better taking it in year 11 and standing a chance of getting better grades. Agree college classes tend to be for those resitting or needing extra support to pass.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 19/01/2022 09:55

@Seeline

What A levels does he want to do?

In my experience, any remotely sciency A levels, including maths, computer science usually require at least a 6 in maths GCSE, often a 7.

Even things like Psychology and geography sometimes need more than a 5.

He wants to study English literature but not sure on other subjects but probably humanities/social sciences. We have looked at entry requirements in detail so we know what the minimum standard is. However, that's not to say he is only aiming for the minimum standard.
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Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 19/01/2022 09:56

@Seeline

Have you checked the requirements for individual A levels? Most places ask for minimum grades at GSCE specific to individual A levels.
Yes, we have.
OP posts:
Scirocco · 19/01/2022 09:57

I'd suggest taking the two years and aiming for the higher grades, particularly if he's bright. Higher grades can open a lot of doors for different career options - eg acceptance onto competitive courses. While a 5 might be the minimum standard, getting a higher grade if he can will stand him in good stead for the future and help prepare him to do better in A-levels.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 19/01/2022 09:58

@LIZS

He might be better taking it in year 11 and standing a chance of getting better grades. Agree college classes tend to be for those resitting or needing extra support to pass.
His class is not for re-sits or extra support! It is just that he is home-educated.
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Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 19/01/2022 09:59

@Scirocco

I'd suggest taking the two years and aiming for the higher grades, particularly if he's bright. Higher grades can open a lot of doors for different career options - eg acceptance onto competitive courses. While a 5 might be the minimum standard, getting a higher grade if he can will stand him in good stead for the future and help prepare him to do better in A-levels.
Brilliant, thank you.
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BaconMassive · 19/01/2022 10:00

If he's Y10 and and he doesn't get the grade he wants/needs then he can always have another go in Y11.

Remember the grade boundaries this summer for exams are going to be more lenient then they are going to be in 2023 due to the pandemic, so every chance if he studies hard between now and then.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 19/01/2022 10:02

Realistically if he wants to do Maths at A level then he needs a minimum of a 6 but ideally higher otherwise the step up is huge. DS1 is dyslexic and got a 5 in English and that didn’t affect his application for a science based course at Uni (all Russell Group offers).

BaconMassive · 19/01/2022 10:02

Ignore all the people saying wait until the end of Y11 for this.

Take the shot in Y10 with the lenient grade boundaries then this could seriously free up his time to study more effectively in Y11.

He can always try again in Y11.

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 19/01/2022 10:05

If he's as intelligent as you say he is then I wouldn't be happy with a 4 at this stage if he's taking the exam in May/June! Especially if he wants to do English at A level. My son's 6th form requires you to have at least a 6 in any subject you want to do. I know you're saying he only needs a 5 but doing an A level after getting a 4 or 5 will be a struggle.

I'd be asking them why he's sitting them in year 10 rather than giving him an extra year to improve that grade

LIZS · 19/01/2022 10:05

If he is thinking of uni eventually some look at gcse results taken in year 11. English and maths are so fundamental it is worth taking time to achieve the best grades possible.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 19/01/2022 10:06

The feedback from college is that he is doing really well. He has full attendance and completes all his homework and course work.

I was a bit confused at him taking the exams early as I wasn't sure if all content would be covered. But I have no idea how it is done in mainstream school. How many hours are generally taught for Maths/English per week?

He is due to take a couple of GCSEs this summer as he has been studying for them at home. He's aiming for a 7+ for those.

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