Year 11 sudden drop in mock grades across all subjects

[Kfor]

Drop in grades - yr 11

Has anyone experienced a drop in all grades in yr11?

we are puzzled what is going on with our DD. She was always an "academic" kid, got into one of the strongest local, very competitive grammar school. Started strong, although in year 10 the grades shifted a bit in a region of 6/7/8s.

However this year she had two sets of Mocks before GCSE and the results are very poor, she never get a 3 or 4 before and that is for English and Maths.. Needles to say we are very surprised. Every single subject is in a region of 5, just before GCSEs, although before she ad strengths in articular subjects.

We tried to discover what is going on, but she can't explain, the only thing she said is that nothing goes in her head. I am guessing maybe a burn/out or stress.

(She does have the characteristic of Inattentive ADHD but no diagnosis, just what I read about)

We got her some tutors now and trying no to visibly panic as this is the last thing she needs.

Has anyone experiences a large shift in grades before GCSEs?

It could be several things.
If she has had loads of mocks it could be exam fatigue.
It could be that they have had interviews etc. with colleges and sixth forms and they have told them what they actually need to get in and the foot has come off the pedal.
Or it could be as youo posted burn out/stress due to the catch ups, interventions and other extra curicular exam based stuff that schools seem to be required to push at pupils.

yes. I am lost on how to support her, push her less/more or just support her wellbeing💁

(Forgot to add that she was never tutored, not for 11+ exams, not during grammar, wasn't "forced" into this route)

Does she actually know how to revise?
If she is bright she could have got by up to y9 with just remembering stuff as it was taught, but that doesn't work for GCSEs as there is just too much content.

'Nothing goes in her head' sounds like ineffective revision to me.

I remember back when I was younger my grades did the same, often because teachers gave extra hard mock papers to give a kick to those who weren’t revising. Unfortunately those who are like your Dd ended up more stressed out.

Does she understand how to answer exam questions?

she might be bright, but there is a definite technique to getting the scores on the doors in exams.

I’d ask for a meeting with the school to discuss your concerns op, they’ll be able to look through her exam papers and pinpoint exactly where she’s losing marks. Then you can put a tailored support plan in place with tutoring.

Time to have a meeting with the school. Sometimes mocks are graded harshly to motivate kids to revise/not take their foot off the gas. Or she could not know how to revise although the year 10 grades don't seem to reflect that. Also have you actually sat down and asked her what is going on and what she feels will help? What are her next step plans and what grades does she need to get there?

For GCSEs, it is a question of learning the content and then doing past papers and past questions and learning exactly how to answer, in the time available.
It is also a question of being organised and having an effective study timetable.
She still has time to put in place effective revision strategies. I would focus on the key subjects of Maths and English and any other subjects she wishes to take for A level (or that are seen as complimenting those she wishes to take).

A lot of bright kids get by with not much work or hard study for years. Both GCSE and A level are a question of knuckling down.
Check she is not panicking in the exams themselves (going blank etc) - if so look up all sorts of calming techniques.
If she has other issues going on and needed extra time, then you need to speak to school. I think the deadlines have passed, but speak to them.