Is it too early for an A level support thread!

[HereWeGo2023]

Hello all, apologies if there is already a thread but I can’t find one.
May had finally rolled around and the first exam is a mere 2 weeks away. Exam stress has hit our house! It’s feels like everything is about waiting at the moment - waiting for the predicted grades, waiting for the uni offers, waiting for the exams to start, and then the long wait for the results!
This is our youngest DD but the first one in further education so would love to chat to other parents going through this

@MarshaBradyo my DS only takes Maths, FM and Physics. He has engineering offers, FM was preferred and only 3 A-levels required. However, it’s a risky choice if you are unsure about what degree you want to do as it will limit your choices somewhat. Also, FM is not for everyone and some students just can’t get their head around it so there are lots that drop it in the first year. So, again it’s risky if you are only doing 3 to start with. DS’s school is small and they discourage 4 A-levels as the timetable very rarely works out to facilitate this. And of course, some schools only let you take it as a 4th!

DS thought AQA Physics Section A was weird and strange but the Section B Engineering was okay. Everyone who took it came out deflated and happy to see the back of it.

Another one re: physics - AQA. Section A ‘ultra difficult’ - Astrophysics ‘not too bad’. Predicted an A but would be happy with a B. I can’t see how he has picked up enough marks for even a C. Such a waste of 2 years intensively studying only to feel like he hasn’t be able to demonstrate his knowledge. Should have gone for Psychology instead. At least Physics is done.

So feedback received - Section A was weird but liked the questions, and Astrophysics was nice. Phew!

I would hope that the general feedback of AQA physics being very hard this year should result in lower grade boundaries.

Yep @sparkles18 on further interrogation DS2 thought engineering was fine, just that Section A was a shit show!

His older bro (who also did physics) saying 'physics papers go bad sometimes. The curve will carry us.' So I'm hanging on to that because god know I understand neither the form nor the content of these exams.

Ds1 also felt AQA physics section A was "just awful".

Thanks for info on four v three subjects. I had picked up on other info but it seems to be not the case (although our school may still say they should)

Ds seems to be hanging around with friends somewhere, I don’t want a text answer on how it went so will have to wait

Another couple of memes for the AQA Physics survivors! https://twitter.com/That1Cate/status/1669296451522838528?s=20 and https://twitter.com/sagsfrfr/status/1669292359782215680?s=20

I think DS is now quite looking forward to having failed Physics so he can do a History A level in 1 year, what is your DD thinking of doing if it comes to it, @Guinefort ?

Verdict on physics - Really hard test but did better than he thought and still ok with things

@tribpot Psychology for DD if she doesn't get the grades for her offer this year. Should have taken it in the first place 🤦‍♀️. Although to be honest, a year out having fun, earning money (alongside a bit of studying!) and generally enjoying life making up for lost time after the covid years, really wouldn't be the worst outcome...

It helps that most of DD's friends seem to be staying local, either doing apprenticeships or working gap years so it doesn't look like it will be a case of everyone going off and DD being left behind.

Covid years have been very hard on young people and their parents.
this sounds like an insightful and sensible plan.

Two exams tomorrow.

Biology and English lit.

Biology this morning. Very apprehensive about this one.

Good luck to everyone doing Biology this morning. Dd has been up doing last-minute revising since 5.30 🤔

DD has her final exam this afternoon, English Lit. Good luck everyone.

Good luck to everyone, esp the AQA Biologists. Paper 1 wasn't as bad as any of the Physics papers but I don't hold out massive hope.

Yes good luck everyone. DD didn't get much sleep. In a foul mood. It is all my fault.

I for one am done with this now.

Biology in the morning. English Literature in the afternoon.

Don't forget your water bottles people Only see through plastic ones allowed here. I've got thirty of them in the kitchen.

After that only one left. Wednesday and it is the last biology I think.

Further maths and stats? I think for DS2 today. I am also very much over A Levels now but sadly we're ploughing on into next week in this house.

Good luck everyone

Politics for us this morning and that's DD done. It's too warm for this ...

Good luck for today 🍀. Biology this morning and DD gone off to school wearing a winter jumper because she "doesn't have any summer tops" despite a wardrobe that is so bursting with clothes the door doesn't shut! At least the exam will be over by 11 hopefully before it gets too hot...

At least they're in the wardrobe @Guinefort and not all over her bedroom floor

I get it.

Yes, Biology this morning. College is an hour away - she usually gets a college bus. I don't drive.

In plenty of time I said 'don't forget your water, a cereal bar and your college lanyard'.

She forgets her college lanyard. Comes back for it. Says she has missed the bus. She can't get a taxi. Phones me. I get one as I know them. Unbeknown to me she runs for the bus and gets on.

I cancel the taxi.

hey ho. Last but one exam.

Biology is hard too. English in the afternoon.

Good luck to all doing the poetry paper this afternoon. It is DD’s last exam but I won’t see her now until Sunday evening as she is heading directly after her exam to Brownie Pack holiday where she is a young leader. What a way to celebrate eh!