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.

None of the people I've been chatting with are concerned in the slightest about what the teachers have submitted, they are just worried about how that will be changed by the sqa.

That's what teachers are worried about too Wax. We were fair and aspirational but how do we evidence aspiration and progress should an appeal be needed? We might have predicted a candidate for example a low A say around 72% and ranked them fairly low within the band. Algorithm adjusts to a high B say 69%. Some schools were accepting essays completed at home in late April/early May to enhance the body of evidence some weren't.

My grade if lowered by SQA will show them I had believed in them but that's pretty hollow and worthless. As a parent I have complete faith in my DDs' teachers but should it come to evidence they (my DDs) are tortoises not hares

It is such a shame as I know mine would be similar. The message both myself and DSs picked up was that prelims don't matter anymore which as we can see was wrong.

I suppose being fair, the continuous assessment approach would suit some DC over others in the same way that exams suit some better, however the point is that those who don't favour exams at least know in advance that that is what they will be measured on and can focus on strategies that suit that model as best they can. The approach for this year obviously came out of the blue for everyone.

I am sure that the vast majority of teachers have been as fair as they possibly could.

Friends DS needs particular results for his conditional Uni place and he has been tracking at the results he needs and if anything is at the top end of the bands as you'd imagine them to be so will be gutted if he gets a C when he has been working at a high B for example.

Just trying to imagine how much more worried we would have been this time last year when DS2 was waiting on his results for his uni place.

Hope your DC get what they need.

Agree with everyone that I have complete faith in the teachers assessment and truly appreciate the difficult task they had. The SQA on the otherhand....

I feel that the SQA can't win, for all of the reasons that have been listed above.

Sorry, pressed too soon. My DD is also in the tortoise category for evidence, I think - and didn't have much evidence for maths besides her prelim.

You are right @Superjaggy they are stuck between a rock and a hard place, it's just easier to blame a faceless organisation if you know what I mean.😉

Oh totally @Alittlewornout , I might aim some rage at them next Tuesday myself

They are nameless and faceless, I have always enjoyed that aspect when marking for them. There was always robust debate at marker meetings as we thrashed out what deserved a mark and what fell short. And the candidates deserved that deliberation. Even in live marking there is ongoing discussion and monitoring to ensure standards are consistently applied.

But this year they can override teacher professional judgement without any warning or discussion on a " computer says no"' basis. The processes involved from SQA end are not even being shared until the results are out.

@Lidlfix your last paragraph sums it up exactly. On the plus side booked for a restaurant next Tuesday evening in a well we will either celebrate or commiserate moment and got the eat out to help out deal. I had forgotten all about that so that's one good result.

We are just deliberating the results day dinner. Our nice wee local pub does fab meals and is taking part in the August eat out to help out . But they only do lunches midweek I want to supply them over a big name.

Know what you mean @Lidlfix our reservation is a big name as dds choice but I dont feel too guilty as all during lockdown we bought any takeaway meals from local eateries.Perrsonally I also prefer a small local restaurant.
Also apologies to @WaxOnFeckOff I didnt see your lovely post wishing us well. This is my last SQA results day and cant say I am too sad.

Always interested in local places doing nice meals but appreciate you may not want to give away your locale Lidl :)

The Birds and Bees is participating so assume the Inn at Torbrex is too. any of those within staggering distance?

And no worries @Alittlewornout. Hope your last SQA day goes well.

One is Wax, and I quite like them both. If the weather is nice (always the optimist me) The Birds and Bees is lovely, though I think The Torbrex Inn might have some outdoor seating now too, maybe not so scenic though.

BnBs has wee screens between some of the tables so was fine when we were in weekend before last and it's a gentle stagger for us so win win :o

The Birds and Bees proprietor is opening the revamped pub in Dollar at the end of next month, everyones a bit over excited as we've been without a good pub for years. You've prompted me to think about a treat for DS3, it is more likely to be a commiserations affair, he might refuse as he usually hates people trying to jolly him out a mood... Might be safer to buy in some favourites...

yes, i'd noticed they were opening up a place in Dollar and was going to mention earlier. I hope it is up to the standards we are currently getting. Quite a few years ago we felt that BnBs had gone downhill and we stopped going but started going back and can honestly say that what we've had has been faultless over the last few years and we are really really fussy :o

I'm a reasonably decent cook so I really grudge going out and paying for food that isn't as good as I can make at home - even if it does mean no clearing up or effort.

Sorry Lidl - I know we agreed no going off topic but this isn't fighting about politics so we might be allowed a bit of grace :o

Some treats might be safer. I do home made Nandos for my lot which goes down well.

Discussion on the post results dinner is an important part of any decent results thread. Especially this year when we have been eating in whether we liked it or not. And now we get to help our local businesses

Inspired and enabled by this thread, I've booked a table at our local bar/restaurant for Tuesday dinner... we can always cancel if DD really can't face it / has organised her own celebration with friends. Or go without her

Me too. Just read the last few posts and they prompted me to make a booking locally for dinner On Tuesday (nice espresso martinis at this place ) - thoroughly taking advantage of Dishi Rishi’s eat out to help out 👏👏👏👏👏

Ooh cocktails! Love an espresso martini, think I'll be ready for one of those by Tuesday

Yeah I think that's why dd has chosen this particular restaurant as it is just along the road from a trendy cocktail place and she her an on an aperitif. Will have to force myself to join her as it would be rude not to I feel.😉

Sorry should have said has her eye on an aperitif! I haven't had one yet honest.

DS has got it into his head that the exam result date is the 8th, not the 4th. We're not telling him the truth - he'll just worry.