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Original poster

Anyone marking GCSE/AS/A2 papers? I am BORED tonight!

25 replies

snuffy143 · 26/06/2008 20:28

Am marking an A2 Biology paper for AQA but can't get going tonight. Is a dream paper...no really tricky bits so no idea what my problem is! Anyone else supposed to be doing the same instead of browsing on here??

OP posts:

fatzak · 26/06/2008 20:32

Not this year but I have every sympathy. I've done GCSE French speaking tests in the past and it was just awful Just think of the money

Original poster

snuffy143 · 26/06/2008 20:34

Yeah...am mentally spending it but it is such rubbish pay! I do it to help my kids with their exam preparation but the syllabus is changing this autumn (unrecognisably!) so am feeling it is all a bit pointless this time! Grrrrrrrrr!

OP posts:

RustyBear · 26/06/2008 20:36

I'm just wondering if the person who's supposed to be marking DD's Psychology A2 is on here instead.

Not sure I like the idea of her future being decided by someone who can't be bothered to get on with their job....

partaria · 26/06/2008 20:39

Rusty, my dcs aren't old enough for this yet (though close with ds nearly 15..) but was thinking the same ! Think of all those grade adjustments we read about in the press...

Original poster

snuffy143 · 26/06/2008 20:41

And that is what motivates me to do a proper job on every single paper I mark...it could be some child's job prospects or place at university. Is why I am on here rather than doing it when I'd rather not be! Am going to start at 9pm, I have decided. You don't need to worry about the process...it is all checked and re-checked and then checked again. I have every faith in it, regardless of what the media report.

OP posts:

worzella · 26/06/2008 20:44

A2 maths here! Just one last check on MN!

Original poster

snuffy143 · 26/06/2008 20:45

And then back to it??

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worzella · 26/06/2008 20:47

Haven't started yet! - just put some marks on the OMS thing and it was just too easy to load up the internet!

Original poster

snuffy143 · 26/06/2008 20:51

I am doing OMS for the first time, too...I like it...much easier than stupid blobbing on mark forms!! I am going to get started on the section B of 31 papers in a min...my quota for tonight!! All credit to the maths thing...am glad I have no calculations on my paper this time...always makes me go wibble!

OP posts:

worzella · 26/06/2008 20:55

I've got 31 papers too - not sure if I'll get them all done - I'm starting now - have fun!

fizzbuzz · 26/06/2008 22:01

I used to moderate coursework....but just couldn't face it anymore.

Marking exams must be the same. Sorry Rusty but it is boring. Thats why exam boards struggle to find people to do it...

Original poster

snuffy143 · 26/06/2008 22:05

Yeah...thanks fizzbuzz...you are right...boring but essential. Have done my section B's for tonight's quota so need to do the totalling, check and upload to web and all done for tonight! Hope I have honoured the effort (or not!) put in by the students!

OP posts:

Elkat · 26/06/2008 23:23

yep, Am doing three sets this year (all A level)so quietly going insane. Two lots are online.... the temptation to mumsnet is just too much! Must get back to the marking....

scaryteacher · 26/06/2008 23:37

Am down to my last 300 RE GCSE answers and having a break on MN. Have marked 2500 responses online since 24 May and have had enough. I wish the exam board had done what they did last year and had the two papers 3 weeks apart, as I didn't finish marking until mid July. This year the papers were 3 days apart, and there was a weeks overlap when both papers were meant to be marked.

I'm doing it to get enough money to fund my MA, but I might just make nice to dh next year rather than do this again. Rusty, as it's online it gets to the point that 8 hours a day staring at the computer screws your eyes, and it's the sinking feeling knowing that you won't get to bed until the small hours.

worzella · 27/06/2008 00:07

Just finished!! (just 90 papers to go - out of 900!!) over a period of 6 weeks - but I have no more legitimate ways of staying part-time teaching!

scaryteacher · 27/06/2008 00:16

I've given up - will get up at 0600 and do the last bits of the 100% paper, and then mark the 315 answers on the 80% by 0100 Saturday am (live abroad, so am an hour ahead) and am then finished. I won't be marking any extra this year.

scaryteacher · 27/06/2008 22:32

I have finished the lot - 4 hours ahead of the deadline. 2800 responses marked, most with three parts to them.

worzella · 27/06/2008 22:43

well done - i've still got 72 papers to go! Deadline 8th july

BecauseImWorthIt · 27/06/2008 22:47

If I tell you ds1's name, could you make sure that you mark his paper when you're fresh, exuberant and really optimistic?

Especially if you're marking his maths papers?

Please look at his picture on my profile and that should convince you he is definitely worth it!

IdrisTheDragon · 27/06/2008 22:50

My mum is marking Maths A2 papers (shouldn't think she is on Mumsnet )

lilolilmanchester · 27/06/2008 22:55

snuffy, not sure what an A2 paper is but DS (yr 10) sat part of his AQA GCSE last week. Wonder if you're marking any "son-of-lilo" papers?!

Original poster

snuffy143 · 27/06/2008 23:04

No...am marking second year of A level (18 year olds), so no 'son of lilo' papers for me! Not doing any tonight cos got friends visiting but will get stuck in tomorrow. Will continue to approach each paper with a fresh mind and do the best I can for all the students!! Please be reassured all mums of pupils doing these exams that we examiners take it very seriously and are more than aware of our responsibilities. Markschemes are intended to make sure we can't allow tiredness or boredom get in the way!

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lilolilmanchester · 27/06/2008 23:11

I hear you Snuffy. DH marks Uni exam papers so I know he appreciates the importance of doing it well...

Elkat · 28/06/2008 11:44

Aaaaaggggghhhhh! Marking this year is killing me. And I have still fgot 600 papers to go. Anyone else finding it sooo much worse this year? Or is it just me???

scaryteacher · 28/06/2008 11:54

I found it worse this year as I marked 2 papers, each has a 100% paper and an 80% paper.
The first paper (Unit 1 we'll call it) began late May and ended mid June, no problem. The second paper (unit 2), began a week before the first one finished, and they still needed the examiners to complete the first paper after the due date, but they haven't extended the deadline for the second.

I think the exam board in question needs to go back to having these two units three weeks apart as they used to be, and not three days apart as they were this time.

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