Year 12 - 2025/2026: Support Thread 2

[QueenMabby]

A new thread for us to keep chatting on!

Thanks for sharing this @Fabfabfab , I logged into the gov website when I had a flurry of Testi notifications but wasn't refreshing, so will try this.

There are 4 test centres we can consider but haven't been lucky yet.

Happy New Year all!
DD is finding it hard to get back into school this week.

https://www.nao.org.uk/press-releases/watchdog-urges-dvsa-to-address-driving-test-delay-backlog-and-cut-waiting-times/

Heard something vaguely on LBC this morning about how the Government wants to delay young drivers for their own safety/have extra stringent alcohol limits… sounds tone deaf to the cost of living crisis. The longer the test is delayed, the more it costs typically to pass.

https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/choosing-the-right-insurance/motor-insurance/graduated-driver-licencing/

Not sure what to think of this! On the one hand, yes I want my YPs to be safe. On the other hand, if we nanny state them all and then they do not grow up to be resilient and go out into the world, are we setting them up to fail? What about all those delivery driving jobs etc that they could take etc etc. Those stuck rurally.

Is this just a way of not dealing with the testing backlog, it is already pretty normal to take 6 months due to not being able to book a test earlier.

They have to tackle the testing backlog as it affects the economy and people’s jobs. It’s sort of ludicrous that bots etc can be used to enrich people to book slots or concert tickets instead of real individuals. There have to be huge fines and more enforcement on the internet. My council manages to fine drivers left right and centre for the most petty stuff, yet online is the Wild West.
It also seems like insurers want to just cash in and not insure young drivers so passing the buck there too.

Does no one in gov have a 16/17yr old? Crikey, there’s no chance of getting a test within 6 months of your theory! Waste of time, effort and money creating rules that already exist by default. Someone on radio 5 was saying that it’s to stop ppl having intensive courses for a week or so then been out on the road - but I’m pretty sure those intensive courses don’t include a test date so they’d still have to join the queue. Have they said when they’re bringing in the new rule?

To add insult to injury, we stopped being able to log into the dvsa test change date page directly. It thought I was a bot!

DH and I tried all the advice e.g. different devices, cleared cookies, not on WiFi etc..now they advise not to click through from apps like Testi etc...

There might be a swap with one of the instructor's other learners but other than that I've given up trying to change the date.

Hello

In search of revision materials (not online - books etc) so thought would ask what people's DC are using or you have bought in vain hope they will use?

My DS (Yr12) is doing:

Maths - OCR (B MEI H640)
Physics - AQA 7408
DT Product Design - AQA 7552

TIA

forgot to add - need A level resources as I do not think doing AS as has internal mock exams in May)

oops entirely wrong DS is doing AS level. I feel clueless!

In which case is it better to buy AS level books?

thanks

My middle son did his test around Covid times. We used an app to book his test. On auto book. We got a slot within 24 hours.

I am getting left behind on this thread. I need to go back through and catch up.

6th form is mostly going ok for Ds. The only thing is the school are insisting be drops a subject. He doesn’t know what to drop. I think he should carry on as he is. But apparently that’s not an option. He’s doing physics, chemistry, maths, further maths. His favourite is further maths. If he could he’d drop maths (not FM) which he can’t do, I’m assuming maths has to be taken alongside. So he needs to drop a science. He can’t choose. He likes them equally. He has no idea what he’d like to do at university if he goes. Any advice I give isn’t helpful. So not sure what he’s going to choose. I haven’t read back to see whether any of your dc’s are having to drop a subject.

Why are they saying he needs to drop a subject? That’s the same as my DS is taking, and I think is a relatively common combination. I know schools and colleges are generally not keen on 4 A levels unless one is further maths, but that obviously isn’t the case for you.

@icanbewhatiwant - they can claim extra funding for that combination from 26/27 so I would email the head. It’s a completely standard combination in most successful sixth forms in London, for example and throughout the South East. If he is able to achieve As and A stars and is a high achiever I would push back.

Why is he being asked to drop one ? as others have said having Further maths as a 4th is pretty normal - though a tough combination

Can you ask to drop the FM to as level? But that’s a a vv standard combo. In my DS state school 15 did FM and only 1 had it as their 3rd subject (and my DS dropped to AS so did 3.5 levels)

ican I agree, this is outrageous. He's incredibly bright and should be allowed to do all 4 and get 4 x A*. What on earth are the school thinking? 😡🙄

@icanbewhatiwant What’s their rationale for him dropping down to 3? Is he struggling with the workload? Not getting great grades? If he’s managing ok then I’d absolutely push back. I’m wondering if you ask on the ‘higher education’ thread about this. I can’t recall which uni or which courses but I’m sure there’s one or two who view FM & Maths as one A level because it’s the same subject. Ridiculous, I know! BUT I’ve just been looking at both Oxford & Cambridge and it’s not them. So I’m now wondering if that was a while ago? The HE thread will know.

Bizarrely everyone doing A levels at DDs state school do 4. They take all 4 at AS level too, and then can choose one to drop. DD is keen to drop one already! But I don’t think that’s allowed. I wish they just did end of year exams as it’s 3 years of exam pressure plus I fancied an Easter holiday but she’ll obviously want to study.

@ThisPerkySloth2 DD isn’t doing any of those subjects but she asked me to get her a Business revision book the other day (the subject she wants to drop) and the Politics teacher has messaged suggesting a book to purchase. I’ve seen history books floating around and can only assume she has something for psychology. Would you ask the teachers for recommendations? Or better still get DS to?

They are only allowed to take 3 A levels. So he has to drop one of them.

Ds is always in the top 3 pupils after all tests. Is predicted A* in all 4 (predictions are based on gcse results which were 9 in all these subjects) So no he’s not struggling. They just aren’t allowed to take 4. I told Ds that I thought FM isn’t really like a 4th A level. He said yes it is, it’s a completely different course to maths, he says it’s no different to maths and history.

@NotDonnayes ds1 did 4 AS levels, then dropped one for year 13. Ds2 didn’t do AS because it was just after Covid, but he still studied 4 subjects until the start of year 13 when they dropped one. The school stopped AS after that year, seems they encourage them to drop a subject by Christmas now too.

i thought I’d add that Ds is now leaning towards maths at uni. I guess if that’s definite then maths, FM and a science is ok. Whichever science he chooses at A level, if he studies that at uni. then I think he can apply with that science, maths and FM. I just feel he’s limiting his uni subject choice with maths and one science.

I know of at least 3 non-selective state schools which allow 4 A'levels, with the 4th strongly advised to be FM, not another subject. And they get good results.

Trying to get my head around a 2-week timetable and it's so full doing 4 A'levels, hardly any free periods.

Also DS’ degree at Bath allowed him a grade drop in one of his 3 a-levels if he got an A or above in A level or As further maths as a 4th subject so some universities definitely appreciate it as a ‘4th’ subject. Lucky he did as dropped a grade in a subject.

@NotDonna it might be the medicine courses that you're thinking of, because most of them seem to say they won't accept further maths as a third A level if maths is one of the other two. But I have seen that a number of universities will accept 3 A levels, 2 of which are maths and further maths, for those applying to study maths there - even quite prestigious ones. I was quite surprised as I always saw further maths as an extra, not something that could be counted as a third A level.
So cross on behalf of @icanbewhatiwant 's son - feel like starting a petition!

@icanbewhatiwant Im livid on your DS’s behalf. Given his predictions it’s mad that he’s not allowed! I don’t know a school that doesn’t allow 4 if it includes FM; indies & state. They can certainly continue with 4 at DDs state (not grammar) school especially if it’s FM. I’m so confused as to why they would be limiting him! If he’s looking at maths at uni then a number of universities are very keen for students to have FM if their school offers it - including Oxbridge, Warwick, Imperial. I think they need that very high level of maths that FM provides.