Scottish Exam Results 2020

[Lidlfix]

After hearing DD3's deep sigh and worried voice observe "this time in four weeks..." I feel it's acceptable to begin the 2020 thread.

Over the years Scotsnet regulars and visitors have given great support, advice and even (tales of blissfully unaware snoring DC) light hearted relief to each other over the years.

This year has been particularly fearful for us and our DC and I know how much I have appreciated results threads in previous years. As there are plenty of threads with political discussions and chances for posters to express concerns about what politicians/councils/ schools/ teachers are or aren't doing, can I gently ask that we keep this to topic?

I have DD3 waiting on 1 AH and 2 Highers for a conditional offer and DD4 waiting on 5 Highers - results depending she'd like to apply for Law for the end of S6.

@clerkmaxwell No- no indication of the grade inflation.....

@cocopops what didn't engender confidence? Nervous about the process although I do have some faith in the SQA.

Gosh @cocopops I wasn't nervous before but I am a bit now. Hope pupils are assessed for the grades they deserve not just fitted in to some computer generated algorithm.

I hated doing the estimation, refining, banding and ranking . But it had to be done and we worked through that unpalatable as it was. Now thinking that an algorithm can sweep away the hours looking at evidence, poring over my previous years estimates and actual grades, swapping with colleagues for an additional level of impartiality ... is gutting.

I also feel bad enough about the impact on my DDs of watching how upsetting that was for me. They knew their teachers were doing that for them .

If downgrading happens on a large scale how will they even process the appeals?

@sonicbook I don’t know tbh- it was just the general feeling I got from the discussion. There was so much talk about “evidence based” that it made me fear for those kids who hadn’t done well in prelims and who would ordinarily pull it out of the bag at the last minute. The gist was that if the evidence wasn’t there, no point in appealing which makes sense but is sad for so many kids who didn’t put the work in throughout the school year but who were perfectly capable of aceing it in an exam.

I suppose also, it was the director of BD who was talking so it may be that the educators (hate that word) in SQA are more switched on?

The other thing that really worried me was when I asked when next year’s timetable was going to be published as it would usually be out by now and they waffled a bit saying it was ready but they were waiting on SG announcements. If they truly thought the 2021 exam diet was going ahead, why isn’t it out there already?

@cocopops this is what worries me; Dd's prelims were at the same time as her AH biology and chemistry projects were full on with results due, so she didn't have much time for studying. Last year she got 5As so she was confident of good marks in the exams and then didn't get the chance. And schools do them all at different times so it seems unfair to use them. Will they have marked the science projects do you know?

@emummy They seemed to be saying that projects and dissertations etc weren’t being “marked” by SQA but on appeal they could be used as evidence if the grade given by SQA was lower than teacher grade (but only if lower)....

@emummy as far as I know the science projects were not sent to the SQA. My dd did AH physics and the project was due in th week of lockdown. The school took them in so hopefully they would count as evidence??? Dd did very well in her prelims but some of her friends didn't and I am afraid they may be unrealistic in their expectations of grades but I hope I am wrong.

@emummy And presumably teachers took those into account when estimating grades but perhaps @lidflix can comment on that aspect......

For English we certainly did , we had input our N5 Folio estimates prior to them being sent off. SQA didn't look at them but we certainly did. Our school deadline for Higher was the week of lockdown so we ran about getting them all in phoning home etc so we could use them . AH were asked to finish and submit so they could be part of the body of evidence.

Thanks all; hopefully as you say her teachers have used them as evidence. All we can do is cross our fingers and wait. If her grades are not good enough she may have to do another degree then try again for medicine, what fun!

Does anyone know if the schools where pupils had completed their AH Modern Language speaking assessment had these marks made available to them for inclusion as evidence? Under normal circumstances am I right in assuming that the modern language external examiners send marks straight on to SQA. If so is a freedom of information (FOI) request the only way possible to get these marks?

Interesting question. I think in the interests of fairness (some schools were due to have SQA examiner in the week we closed so it was all cancelled. I don't think the SQA could disadvantage them. But that's just my guess. Kind of like them not marking the Folios, Assignments that had been submitted previously to ensure equality across the cohort and subjects.

I'm bring v nieve but so hope they use the estimated grades end of story!

All the MFL departments I have encountered as a professional and parent have always had amazing evidence. Especially for talk as they take lots of recordings to help the pupils revise/improve etc.

Thanks for response @Lidlfix. My DC was taking a crash MFL AH so on a steeper learning. Was making progress and A was within potential but needed speaking assessment, folio and exam to prove this was the case. Do you know if some teachers will have included folio work (15% of MFL at AH) as evidence - for my DC this wasn't done as MFL teacher left in March.

My guess is they would use it if they had it as it would form part of the candidate's body of evidence for appeal if SQA downgrade from the estimate. Was there a replacement MFL teacher? Just trying to work out who would have done the estimation if teacher left?

No replacement until after summer but the new Head of MFL will have been involved in estimation.

Hello everyone, late to the party as I've had a bit of a break from social media (work in education, needed to empty head!). I've really valued these threads in the past though so thanks OP for starting this one .

DD is awaiting 5 Hs and although we all think she could have achieved 5 As by sitting the exams, her prelims suggested otherwise so we'll see what next Tuesday brings. Loads of other evidence for most subjects but maths will be the sticking point! She's planning to apply for medicine so is working on her UKCAT now (or knitting, which seems to be the only thing that soothes her)

Hope you're all bearing up ok with a week to go, there hasn't been a day in the last few weeks where it hasn't been mentioned in our house but not long to wait now...

Welcome back @Superjaggy. It's the pupils like your dd I feel for most. Keeping my fingers crossed for her. A week just now and we will know. ( well those that signed up for text will.)

Thanks @Alittlewornout , you're absolutely right in what you said at the top of the thread re prelim complacency, there has been much gnashing of teeth over that here (by DD at least)

Hi Superjaggy my 2 had weak (rubbish actually) prelim results . Partly due to not making the required effort but partly due to be the sort of learners who need all the pieces in place for it all to make sense. That has made the last 4 months fraught. I feel really guilty about the impact of seeing me in tears during the estimation process on them.

Avoiding social media was a good idea there's still quite a lot you might want to steer clear off , even on Scotsnet which is unusual. That was why I said in my opening post about staying to topic which we all have and are being the usual supportive bunch . DD3 and were both making coffees at 0800 this morning so we had a sigh and shrug.

Hi @Lidlfix , totally appreciate the request to stay on topic! And also how hard those of you in secondary have worked on submissions to SQA - such stressful times for staff as well as kids and your own DC will know that.

We're are the sighing and shrugging stage too - it is what it is... I have always booked a table for dinner on results day for DS, and for DD last year, to celebrate or distract, but this year I haven't. It just feels wrong!

I don't have anyone doing exams this year but family and friends do. I think it just feels so much more out of their control than usual and even getting good results will somehow feel a bit tainted though they shouldn't. Still got my fingers crossed for you all.

Just want to second the appreciation for everyone working in secondary schools who have been putting together the grades assessments for our children. You’ve had a lot to do & learn in a short space of time & we do really appreciate it, whether the results go our way or not.