Applying for Uni 2019 Part 6: exams, leaving school/college (the end of an era), a long summer holiday and Results Day on the horizon

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Just when exam season gets fully underway our previous thread has almost filled up. Everyone welcome .

DS thought the replacement paper was OK too (he had been dreading this one more than any). To be honest, I think he was just glad to be finishing

zxcv123,

DS did that further mechanics option and reported it was very straightforward too. His other FM option was further pure, which he found questionable. Said he could answer the questions in the sense that he knew how to do them, but lots of the answers were 'not pleasing'. Not many 'show that' type questions etc.

DS's friend did Decision maths, which he reported was very boring and very easy.

Makes me wonder if there is any balancing of marks between the different options. Some appear easier than others.

Dd did the FM mechanics option on Thursday. She thought it was pretty easy-she taught herself it as she could only do 2 at school which she chose statistics and decision (and then they pick the best two). She reckons she did at least as well as on statistics which she's meant to be especially good at.
Decision is on Monday and then (thankfully) she's finished.

DS has his unconditional ; but that does mean he is not allowed to go into clearing or adjustment

He can't use Adjustment, because he doesn't have an offer to exceed (it's exceeding the terms of your firm offer that triggers the eligibility to use Adjustment, not exceeding your predicted grades which seems to be a common misconception). I think he could still ask to be released into clearing, if he has changed his mind about the university, but they may be less than speedy in accommodating this, as their priority will be to fill places, not lose the students they've already got.

I wonder how many young people use adjustment, or ask to be released from their firm/back-up options?

So, it's looking as if come 5th July, when Clearing 2019 officially is open for business, that our DC could be lining up some additional back-ups just in case Results Day doesn't bring them the expected grades...

Well done to all those DC who finished exams this week and good luck to the few who still have papers to sit.

We are now ten days into the summer break for DS. So far he has not done much really, although he has his week's holiday coming up this week. He hasn't had any positive feedback to temporary part-time job applications so far. Hmmmm....

I suspect that the summer will actually fly by once we get into July.

5th July is IB results day :-)

DC1 has been chilling, catching up with A level friends as they've each finished, and doing lots of planning for our holiday. They start their job next Tuesday, so looking forward to earning.

Dd2 has finished her first week at her camp in Italy, one more week then home to chill. Feels like the exams went as well as they could and seems to think she should get the grades for her firm. It is harder than for maths and sciences to "guess" your grade though.

Good luck to your DC1 or IB results day on 5th July, BringOnTheScience (and for anyone else whose DC did the IB). At least then they can starting planning for uniersity.

RedHelenB am I right in thinking your DD's firm is Durham? Is it more difficult to guess science than humanities grades? I would instinctively have thought the reverse?

on rather than 'or'...

IB results will no doubt reduce the number of Clearing places for A’level students. Is there any data that shows the percentage of students that do the IB versus A’levels? It’s reallybeing pushed at DS2’s school.

Shimy not sure. Couldn't find anything with a quick 'Google' although I did find this interesting article comparing and contrasting IB vs A Levels.

It seems the type of thing that is more popular at private schools, although I'm quite surprised the grammars haven't latched onto it - quite like the idea of it providing a broader spread of subjects studied.

Hi New
Thanks for the link, wil read it shortly.
i'm surprised more grammars aren't too, but perhaps they've realised its not quite what its all hyped up to be. DS2 said he asked what the benefit of it was over A'levels and the teacher just kept loudly emphasising, "it gives a B.R.O.A.A.DE.R.R" education!" .
The fact that you have to do 2 languages was enough to put him off.He already can't wait to drop French. I think the IB is excellent for the right student, its definitely not for everyone. It does give a broader education over selecting a narrow set of subjects so early on (so more flexibility) and i suppose IB students come more prepared for uni work BUT they all get there in the end, IB or not!. For those who are already clear what they want to do or infact, clear about what they do not want to continue studying, its best to just stick to A'Levels.

New I've just finished reading that very good article which i think sums up my feelings about it excellently. It also seems only 1 language is required, but wouldn't make much difference to DS.

I think the thing is that in France Le Bac is taken at 18 (as with IB) but the young people won't have sat any externally moderated exams until that point in time, hence it's breadth (as with the pushing of the EBacc at GCSE level in this country). I can only imagine it's really gaining in popularity in the UK to appeal to families who move regularly between countries during their DCs' education. Hence why it's popular in public schools and is a good marketing ploy.

MewModelArmy I meant that it is easier to predict how you've done in maths and sciences.

Her insurance is Durham firm liverpool

Is anyone’s Dc feeling a bit deflated now? Dd can’t understand why she’s not feeling ecstatically happy after exams but I think it’s just the lull before saying bye to everyone, holidays and results day.

Zanda I think they do come down to earth with a bit of a bump TBQH. Everything has been very low key here.

RedHelenB clearly I read your post too early this morning...Yes, that does make sense now!

The IB comparison article is good, but 4 years old. Unis are mostly much better at making more equivalent offers. DC1 needs 34 points, with 6 5 5 at Higher. That's like needing ABB. (max grade is 7, in each of 6 subjects, plus max 3 points from Core: CAS, ToK & EE)

IB is still unusual in the UK, especially in state schools. We're very lucky in Cambridge to have two state sixth forms who offer it, as well as one of the private schools. Unis got more familiar with it as they took in more international students to get the fees!

There are two languages needed, but one is your native tongue.

So DC1 has done English, a science & a humanity at Higher level, with maths, a 2nd language & another humanity at Standard level.

The really cool bit about the 2nd lanfuages is that not only can you continue an existing language from GCSE to either Higher or Standard, but there are also some languages offered as ab initio i.e. from beginner, to Standard level.

And regarding the IB and Clearing lists ... most Unis do not offer clearing places to IB students until the day that A level results come out, because the majority of spaces are for A level students.

As of 1 May 2019, there are 3,352 schools offering the DP, in 156 different countries worldwide.

99 schools in the UK currently offer the IB Diploma Programme (the 16 - 19 bit of the IB), of which 24 are in the state sector.

www.ibo.org/country/GB/

So 3 352 times the average year group size worldwide and 99 times the average year group size in the UK. Versus how many tens / hundreds of thousands in England, Wales and NI sitting A levels (plus a few - ironically in the 'posh' schools, I believe? - in Scotland. And some studying under the British system in odd places around the world).

Taught in international schools for +25 years teaching IB and A level. Generally in my experience IB students have to wait til A level results day to see if they will be allowed in if they miss their offer.

The IB is very demanding but allows students to keep breadth- especially important if students don't know which direction to go in. However, the IB students who want to do Engineering or medicine at a UK university, must bear in mind that they do not have the same breadth in Maths and sciences, (even though they have the depth at Higher level) and so first year can be very challenging once in university. Check university requirements carefully.

Zanda my DD is also feeling this.

She had a terrible couple of days after her last exam, crying and feeling very anxious.

I think it's just a reaction to the huge amount of stress they've been through.

She seems to have settled down now and has been going out with her friends and enjoying the free time a bit more.

Zamda & Framey - a very normal reaction, but not much discussed. DC1 was in a very odd place mentally after GCSEs so we planned for things for them to be doing after IB.

Our teens spent so long having every move dictated by timetables & deadlines, then it very abruptly stops. They have no purpose.
Social media doesn't help because their peers put up a front of everything being lovely... but they're probably also in bits.

Thanks Framey and Bring it’s good to confirm it’s normal. Once parties and proms and holidays start in earnest it will be easier I am sure!! Dd has work so hard to get the high grades for her conditional firm for so many months and now there’s this ‘tumbleweed’ feel to it all.

My daughter seems to have struggled a bit since finishing. From being quite positive during revision and exams, she was quite low and depressed last week which worried me because she had (has) depression anyway. With her ASD, having no structure isn't great for her either, but she starts work on 29th June which will be long days 5 or 6 days a week so that will help fill the time. Before you question the hours she will be working, she has her ideal job as a dinghy instructor, spending the day in shorts and hoodie, on a boat, hopefully in the sun so she will be very fulfilled and happy, and it will give her structure, fresh air and activity every day :-)