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Original poster

The 2017 Exams thread.

432 replies

WankersHacksandThieves · 17/03/2017 09:04

I think we all found the thread last year useful and supportive so I've set this one up for us all to share our woe, angst and (hopefully) joy for the 2017 exam season. I'm also trying to have something on Scotsnet that isn't politics. I'm trying to avoid that tbh as it just all makes me too angry...

Anyway, I have two going through it this year, DS1 in 5th year sitting 5 Highers and DS2 in 4th year sitting 7 Nat5s.

Studying has been underway since the prelims ended. They are doing 3 x 25 minute Pomodoro sessions on weekdays and 4 sessions each day at the weekend. To be honest it's mainly been used for the coursework up until now but the last piece is due in today for DS1 and DS2s is all in now so proper study can commence.

How is everyone feeling?

OP posts:
ssd · 17/05/2017 11:27

He sounds like he'll do well, whatever happens Smile

Original poster
WankersHacksandThieves · 17/05/2017 12:56

So, have the current 5th years (those going into 6th) already applied for Uni then? 'Scuse the ignorance, but now just wondering if DS should have chosen and applied by now.

We got all the brochures but are no further forward.

OP posts:
IndigoApple · 17/05/2017 13:00

No, DD's school doesn't encourage it before S6. But as I understand it they can receive offers early in 2018 before next year's exams. Possibly unconditional if they already meet the entry requirements.

prettybird · 17/05/2017 13:26

Ds has 3 friends going to Uni from S5 (always assuming they get the results required Wink).

The rest are staying on to S6.

All he's said about the Physics exam was a grunted, "It was awwright". I think that's a good sign Grin

ttlshiwwya · 17/05/2017 13:28

I think UCAS for next year doesn't open until mid August and unless you are thinking of medicine type courses or Oxbridge which have a mid October deadline then you got until mid January 2018 (with some courses e.g. art schools even later). My DS2 has applied this year and the school didn't start their UCAS sessions until August. However his school has low progression to uni so perhaps schools with high progress and/or lots of medical/Oxbridge applications start earlier.

prettybird · 17/05/2017 13:33

Ds still needs to go to some any Open Days before applying - although he's pretty much already decided his order of preference (at least the 1st 3): Theoretical Physics (& Maths & Astrophysics) at 1. Edinburgh 2. Glasgow 3. St Andrews.

Edinburgh because a) it's away from home and b) because he wants to play rugby for Heriots so that he has a better chance of being spotted. (Suspect b might be more important than a Grin).

He's looked at the prospectuses on line he says and says he's checked out what they require.

ssd · 17/05/2017 16:58

ds2 said physics was really hard Sad, he said he'll be glad if he gets a pass

ssd · 17/05/2017 17:00

prettybird, is your ds doing highers?

IndigoApple · 17/05/2017 17:04

DD thought the higher was 'not bad'.

LordPercy · 17/05/2017 17:40

DD wasn't happy with N5 physics today. Said the second paper was awful and none of her class knew the answer to one particular question. She's not taking it next year so isn't depending on a good pass thankfully

Original poster
WankersHacksandThieves · 17/05/2017 17:45

DS1 (in his usual fashion) said Higher Physics was fine...

He is doing AH Physics, Maths and Computing next year he'd have done Engineering too if they'd let him.

The way it's going, DH and I are going to have to choose and complete his Uni application Hmm Sad

OP posts:
ssd · 17/05/2017 17:47

ds2 was doing the Nat 5, like LordPercy's dd, he said it was awful.

IndigoApple · 17/05/2017 18:03

Sorry to hear about Nat 5 Sad

celtiethree · 17/05/2017 18:05

Sorry for those that found the exams though today. DS1 was ok with higher physics. All finished!!!!!!

ssd · 17/05/2017 18:06

ds said he's sure they'll lower the pass mark, like they did with the maths higher 2 years ago hopefully

Original poster
WankersHacksandThieves · 17/05/2017 18:20

This might be useful?

www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/63002.html

OP posts:
prettybird · 17/05/2017 18:41

Sorry ssd - didn't see your post. Yes, ds is doing Highers. He seems very relaxed about it, which is a good sign. If he'd had difficulty with any of it, we'd get a blow-by-blow account of the questions he struggled with.

But as he's planning on doing Physics at Uni (and Advanced Higher in it next year), then I would hope that he did find it relatively straightforward Grin

dementedma · 17/05/2017 19:03

Ds also thought NAT 5 physics was hard and probably hasn't passed. That's him at home now until June 5th.
What are you all doing with dcs with this time on their hands?

ssd · 17/05/2017 19:05

ds probably won't get dressed much or leave his room and will be online far too much

Original poster
WankersHacksandThieves · 17/05/2017 19:52

demented going to work as usual! :o

They, when not in exams, are following the ebing at home rules:

Thy shalt be washed and dressed by the time I come home
Thy must dry out the shower after use
Thy must eat breakfast and make ones own lunch
Lunch must consist of at least 2 portions of fruit or veg and also fruit juice
Thy must empty/fill the dishwasher and clear up after ones self
Thy must go at out some point for fresh air - even if it is just up to the shops and back

That's pretty much it. The remaining hours apart from coming down to inhale dinner and supper will be spent in their rooms on-line and/or playing bass in DS2s case.

They are supposed to be getting fit for their upcoming DofE. DS1 is supposed to be applying for his driving licence. None of that appears to be happening - i will start to nag when the exams are over. We are playing the peace and calm game at the moment. So much so that I fell asleep after I got home from work while the roast ham was in the oven!

OP posts:
dementedma · 17/05/2017 20:04

Me toowankers so he will take advantage by lying in bed until lunchtime and then play xbox for the rest of the day. Maybe bass if he can be bothered.
He is under orders to go round to his grandmas and help with the garden so that might make him shift. Only a fool would risk the wrath of grandma!

Original poster
WankersHacksandThieves · 17/05/2017 20:14

I had to come home the other day to pick up Ds2 to take him up for exam (no public transport for them to be able to get up to school for afternoon exams!). It means that he needs to have had lunch about half 11 so he is ready for me getting home and getting him up there in good time. he was shocked that when he popped his head round Ds1's bedroom door about 11 to see if he wanted an early lunch, DS1 was still asleep! The shock in his voice that someone could still be in bed asleep at 11am was really funny :)

OP posts:
ssd · 17/05/2017 21:30

Its hard keeping them entertained isn't it. Ds hardly goes out at all, his friends have started drinking and smoking and he doesn't want to join in so he spends most of his time in his room on the ps4. It's a long story. I'm actually dreading the school holidays.

Original poster
WankersHacksandThieves · 17/05/2017 21:37

ssd My boys go to school out of catchment so their friends don't live locally. They've really lost touch with their primary friends. At least they have each other and some scout and DofE stuff to get on with. DS2 want's to get a job when the exams are finished. He's not 16 until August so his opportunities will be more limited until then. DS1 doesn't want a job...:o

OP posts:
rogueantimatter · 17/05/2017 21:41

Sorry to hear the nat5 physics was a stinker. It's encouraging that everyone on this thread has found it difficult though. If you know what I mean.

DS did AH music last week. He's also doing A level music, AS then A2. I thought they were both in june but the AS is "sometime" this month apparently. There has been no sign of any studying yet. Silly boy. The A2 exam in on 20th june the day after a whole weekend of rehearsals and playing.

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