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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU - 10 mins between GCSE papers!

67 replies

lrene · Yesterday 10:40

I’m annoyed that my son will have only a ten minute break between two GCSE papers. This is due to a clash over two papers which were both scheduled for 9am.

He’s my only child so I have no idea if I am wrong or not - would appreciate some honest feedback. He will be coming in at just under three hours of writing once the “break” is factored in.

I think it’s appalling. Barely enough time for a wee…. If it’s quite common though I’ll just shut up and get on with it - pls advise!

AIBU?

OP posts:
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · Yesterday 10:43

I think it’s unavoidable that this happens sometimes.

I have had lots of exams in my life that were three hours of writing in themselves!

Maybe it’s a good idea if he does some practice papers in handwriting to get used to it as I know lots of kids struggle to write for long periods of time due to typing everything.

Tshirtking · Yesterday 10:44

It's to ensure they don't speak to someone who has just taken the same exam. It's not fair timewise but you can see the point that they carnt tolerate cheating which could happen if they get chance to speak to friends who just took it

LaLaBall · Yesterday 10:46

The issue is that the rest of his classmates will have already sat the paper and will know the questions. The staff have to escort your son at all times until he is back under exam conditions to ensure he can’t communicate with his classmates regarding the questions on the paper he will sit second. I agree it’s a busy few hours for your son but there isn’t really a better alternative. Good luck to your son in his exams!

MermaidofRye · Yesterday 10:53

Exams used to be three hours.

Fifthtimelucky · Yesterday 10:54

I agree that 3 hours is fine, especially with a break in between.

I can’t remember my O levels, but all my A level papers were 3 hours long and on one occasion I had two of them on the same day!

Stnam · Yesterday 10:55

It is quite tough but many have to do it.

HisNotHes · Yesterday 10:56

3 hour exams are fairly common. Good practice for A level.

lazyarse123 · Yesterday 10:57

God how will any of them cope with working? Let him get on with it.

Heylittlesongbird · Yesterday 10:58

I think in your situation I would ask the school if there is a possibility of him having a slightly longer supervised rest break between his exams.

School should want him to succeed too and if it’s not possible be able to explain why.

Original poster
lrene · Yesterday 11:00

The issue I have is the school have gone with a ten minute break when they could have given them a twenty minute break per guidelines. I think it’s needlessly harsh.

OP posts:
drspouse · Yesterday 11:01

Is there a reason for just a 10 minute break e.g. one of the clashing candidates has another exam later, to prevent congestion going into a later exam etc.?

BennyHenny · Yesterday 11:03

lrene · Yesterday 11:00

The issue I have is the school have gone with a ten minute break when they could have given them a twenty minute break per guidelines. I think it’s needlessly harsh.

I’d ask the school why the break can’t be a bit longer, it’s barely enough time to go for a comfort break and what would happen if there were any delays in the first exam starting?

Mistymaglets · Yesterday 11:03

lrene · Yesterday 11:00

The issue I have is the school have gone with a ten minute break when they could have given them a twenty minute break per guidelines. I think it’s needlessly harsh.

And there will be organizational reasons for that.

He is going to be on exams for three hours. With a break in the middle, perfectly adequate to nip to the loo.

I cannot understand why you think this is so terrible?

LIZS · Yesterday 11:04

Sounds normal ime. It can be especially tight if they get extra time,

snoopyfanaccountant · Yesterday 11:05

The Scottish exams start today and looking at the timetable online there are a number of subjects which have 2 papers with 30 minutes between them and many subjects have in total 3 hours of exams. For young people like my DD who got extra time, that would mean that they had less than 30 minutes between papers.

LeftBoobGoneRogue · Yesterday 11:06

Fifthtimelucky · Yesterday 10:54

I agree that 3 hours is fine, especially with a break in between.

I can’t remember my O levels, but all my A level papers were 3 hours long and on one occasion I had two of them on the same day!

Same here. A 3 hour paper in the morning and another in the afternoon in the early 1980s.

Tshirtking · Yesterday 11:07

lrene · Yesterday 11:00

The issue I have is the school have gone with a ten minute break when they could have given them a twenty minute break per guidelines. I think it’s needlessly harsh.

Because he will have to be supervised during that time. The whole year group is taking exams at different times, they not have unlimited staff members to provide supervision. The staff member superving your son will be needed elsewhere.

JudgeJ · Yesterday 11:18

LeftBoobGoneRogue · Yesterday 11:06

Same here. A 3 hour paper in the morning and another in the afternoon in the early 1980s.

Show quote history

I seem to recall in the '60s having a Physics practical, then a 3 hour and a 2 hour papers on the same day!

YourShyLion · Yesterday 11:20

Heylittlesongbird · Yesterday 10:58

I think in your situation I would ask the school if there is a possibility of him having a slightly longer supervised rest break between his exams.

School should want him to succeed too and if it’s not possible be able to explain why.

Please don't do this!

It's normal and lots are in this situation.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · Yesterday 11:21

Well you can always ask them if it’s possible to make the break 15 or 20 mins.

But doesn’t sound long to me. I had to write nine three hour papers for my degree, often with two in a day, all essays. Similar on some days for A levels.

But making sure they don’t confer is obviously paramount.

Pricelessadvice · Yesterday 11:22

Some exams are 3 hours long.
He’ll survive. This does sometimes happen.

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · Yesterday 11:25

Let me introduce you to the 10 hour art exam 🫣😂
Seriously though- he will sit many many exams that are 3 hours ish - maybe even from A level. You kind of get in the zone. If it were me, I’d want to jump straight into the next one so I stay hyped in adrenaline.

vanillachoc · Yesterday 11:25

🤣 It makes me laugh when people think their children will wither when faced with a challenging situation. I did my GCSEs in 2019 and some were back to back. We all coped - in fact it wasn’t even something anyone complained about. It was better because we were already in the headspace to get on with the second exam.

Tshirtking · Yesterday 11:26

School also have to plan these exams so they fit in with other students who missed an exam for the same reason. For some kids it will be 10 mins, others 30 mins untill the exam starts, all these kids need supervision. School just can't win.

Maray1967 · Yesterday 11:26

MermaidofRye · Yesterday 10:53

Exams used to be three hours.

English Lit still has one that is two and a half hours.

This has probably happened because he’s doing an unusual combination of subjects. While not ideal it’s not too much for a student to cope with if he practises.