Please read the words!

[Switch74]

I teach English in a secondary school and my subject's first GCSE exam is tomorrow morning (8:45 am on the timetable).

I updated the VLE to remind my class what's on this exam and that they're invited to revision with breakfast before tutor time, to calm their nerves and give a final recap.

I just received a reply asking what time they can leave as their parents have booked a table for tea!

[Antarcticant]

Last minute revision is more likely to muddle than help.

<misses point>

[orwellwasright]

@Antarcticant

Last minute revision is more likely to muddle than help.

<misses point>

+1. If they're relying on cramming the morning of their exam... they're either badly prepared or they're being put under undue pressure. Neither is healthy.

[savoycabbage]

I don't see what's wrong with booking a table for their tea. Although the parents should be working out themselves how long the exam is and what time it finishes.

I've never heard of breakfast revision.

[LittleBrenda]

P*lease read the words.
*
What words? On the exam paper?

[Beautifulmonster87]

@savoycabbage

I don't see what's wrong with booking a table for their tea. Although the parents should be working out themselves how long the exam is and what time it finishes.

I've never heard of breakfast revision.

You’ve missed the point. They obviously think the revision is at 845pm not am. Why would it effect tea time if it’s breakfast revision?

[LoudingVoice]

Well you didn’t put in the OP what time they’ll finish so can they make it for tea or not? 🤷‍♀️

[MaudieandMe]

@Antarcticant

Last minute revision is more likely to muddle than help.

<misses point>

Everyone repeats this guff but it’s quite untrue. I have 2 degrees and last minute cramming always worked well for me. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[MrsRobinsonsHandprints]

@Antarcticant

Last minute revision is more likely to muddle than help.

<misses point>

Bollocks, last minute revision is more settling nerves, just refreshing major points. Spending time reminding students To Read The Question!

[Momicrone]

What's vle

[NarcissasMumintheDoghouse]

My take on the OP's post is that the parents in question did not read the missive properly, and thus have not realised that it does not impact at allmon whatever tea they have booked.
If this is the case, the replies so far iluustate her problem.

[Switch74]

They're not relying on cramming; the exam timetable is heavy as there's no coursework and the advance info / amendments due to Covid mean they're all doing things slightly differently from previous plans, past papers etc. (For example on Literature day, different sets will do different texts and have them taken away and new tasks handed out without being able to leave their seat, instead of the normal three sections). The Lang/Lit topics and dates aren't even in the logical, typical order to mitigate issues of missing both elements each, in case of illness.

They missed most of year 9, learned remotely for part of year ten, and have sat only one series of mock exams even in an exam room. They're not badly prepared. They just need a bit of extra support and reassurance, and about 40% of our families (obviously not the one who emailed) need meals providing.

I guess my title stands.

[orwellwasright]

@MaudieandMe

Everyone repeats this guff but it’s quite untrue. I have 2 degrees and last minute cramming always worked well for me. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I've got three and it doesn't help. So now what you gonna do? Raise me another personal anecdote?

[queenmeadhbh]

OP even after your update I’m still not sure why the question about what time the day ends is such a stupid one. Maybe the pupil thought that there would be another session to attend in the afternoon and is effectively asking “are we free to go once the exam is finished or do we have to stay until the end of the school day?” When you said “please read the words”, which words exactly were you referring to??

[Oysterbabe]

I've got no idea what you're trying to say.
Is it that of course they will be finished by teatime because it starts at 8:45?

[Pixiedust1234]

After reading some of these posts I am starting to wonder if my comprehension is also bad 🤔

Don't explain OP, let them fail. They deserve to if they can't do basic reading prior to an English exam.

[Switch74]

@LoudingVoice

Well you didn’t put in the OP what time they’ll finish so can they make it for tea or not? 🤷‍♀️

Well they'll finish revising / eating before the exam starts before 9 in the morning. They can go home in the afternoon at the normal time.

[Switch74]

@queenmeadhbh

OP even after your update I’m still not sure why the question about what time the day ends is such a stupid one. Maybe the pupil thought that there would be another session to attend in the afternoon and is effectively asking “are we free to go once the exam is finished or do we have to stay until the end of the school day?” When you said “please read the words”, which words exactly were you referring to??

The words 'morning' and 'before the exam'. Of course they are at school for the school day. They appear to have assumed my revision class is AFTER school, and therefore also after the exam has taken place...

I was hoping by now they might read for meaning, as that's what the exam tests.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

I've got three and it doesn't help.

Doesn't help YOU. I got years of this shitty advice. For those of us who are neurodiverse and have hyper focus with stress, it absolutely works. If it doesn't for you, don't do it. But some of us need it and are sick of being given NT advice.

[OutDamnedSpot]

@Switch74

They're not relying on cramming; the exam timetable is heavy as there's no coursework and the advance info / amendments due to Covid mean they're all doing things slightly differently from previous plans, past papers etc. (For example on Literature day, different sets will do different texts and have them taken away and new tasks handed out without being able to leave their seat, instead of the normal three sections). The Lang/Lit topics and dates aren't even in the logical, typical order to mitigate issues of missing both elements each, in case of illness.

They missed most of year 9, learned remotely for part of year ten, and have sat only one series of mock exams even in an exam room. They're not badly prepared. They just need a bit of extra support and reassurance, and about 40% of our families (obviously not the one who emailed) need meals providing.

I guess my title stands.

Is this iGCSE? Or a-level?

(also misses point!)

[PuppyMonkey]

I’m trying not to sound dim here, but are you saying there is somebody in the class who genuinely thinks they’re supposed to go to a revision session before an exam tomorrow night at 8.45pm?[confused]

[EatYourVegetables]

OP, for someone who is teaching English, you are awful at explaining things.

Which words should we / the students/ their parents read? Why is the question of “how long is the exam and when can I leave” stupid? Do you think someone mixed up 8:45 am and pm? How are the details of what order the exams are in relevant??

I’m not all that interested btw and don’t intend to return to the thread to read your replies, I just wanted to point out that people who throw rocks etc.

[LoudingVoice]

@Switch74

Well they'll finish revising / eating before the exam starts before 9 in the morning. They can go home in the afternoon at the normal time.

Ok, and did the information you gave them include that detail?

Exam time is stressful with lots of different expectations, it’s easy to imagine if it wasn’t mentioned they’d want confirmation it was a normal finish time.

[PuppyMonkey]

I’ve cross posted big time here.

I think your OP was really badly explained but I have just the one degree so that’s probably why.

[Arenanewbie]

I wonder if they’ve read properly but checking with you just in case. It won’t be a usual school day, everyone’s nervous etc. just put the answer and move on.

[LoudingVoice]

@Switch74

The words 'morning' and 'before the exam'. Of course they are at school for the school day. They appear to have assumed my revision class is AFTER school, and therefore also after the exam has taken place...

I was hoping by now they might read for meaning, as that's what the exam tests.

No, they’re asking for clarification of the length of the exam and the time they can leave - just because you know this they clearly don’t.

Doesn’t sound to me like the words you wanted them to read were actually there.