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.

Yes, interesting article but as we've all said, it's not really an indicator that similar would be predicted in the current round of estimations. Those predictions in the article are for a very specific purpose in a system different to our own and sort of feels more like a finger in the air job to get offers for candidates rather than an thought out estimation of actual percentage. Those estimates allow for banding to be introduced where SQA think it should sit. The difficulty will be IF some particular schools have inflated grades which skews the overall results. I guess that's where the checking back to see how the school usually performs comes in. It possibly works if you have a large number taking that exam, less so when you are looking at AHs or subjects where there are normally only a handful of students sitting.

I have to say, as someone with no hand in the game, I find it all quite interesting. Feel for those making the predictions and obviously the DC on the other end.

Knowing the info from the article, I wonder how the estimates for those sitting A levels will be treated and how they have endured that everyone has been treated as fairly as possible.

worn out - nope, me too!

When I was applying for uni, in the Olden Days, for a healthcare professional course, there was an interview. Can't help but think that was a useful tool, the lecturers could tell who was suited and who was not.

DD is a born scientist, she's a proper geek, and more than bright enough to get the entry grades - except, she guffed her maths prelim. If they interviewed her, even if her marks are a shit show, they'd snap her up.

I'm far more stressed than she is about Tuesday. I'm having anxiety dreams about it - this is a first for me.

I've got a couple of DSs too. I'd better toughen up!

Agree @WaxOnFeckOff I am finding this whole process fascinating and anxiety producing in equal measures! @vivariumvivariumsvivaria yep I too had an interview for a health care profession and lectures said that was the deciding factor and they did not automatically take those with the best grades(luckily for me!!).
I do wonder if HE will instigate interviews or their own tests for very over subscribed courses for next year?
I think the next few weeks after results and schools go back will be very interesting.
Really feel for all the teachers and pupils at the moment.

I think they still do interview for some subjects don't they? teaching and health courses? I'm glad they don't do it for all as DS1 doesn't speak to people and wouldn't be at Uni if he had had to have an interview (he wouldn't have applied or wouldn't pass an interview). It's a worry for when he leaves though. I'm hoping that his over 90% average in his course might count for something in giving him the benefit of the doubt when he goes for jobs. He is doing Computer Science so it's probably a good fit, a lot of the IT guys I work with sit with headphones on and don't really interact with others but seem happy enough and earn good money. Doesn't fit for all IT jobs but sure there will be a niche somewhere.

So, back to exams, for some it's really important and for others there are other ways to get to where they want to be or might lead to a path that they never envisioned for themselves.

Life is strange and I guess Tuesday is about marking a day but also believing that it really is just a day and life still has many roads and many open doors and really isn't over at age 16/17/18 just because you didn't quite get what you planned. In my mid 50s, I'm still waiting to decide what I want to do when I grow up.

I hope the universities, colleges, apprenticeships and employers will be very understanding this year. Even three years ago my dd friend missed her offer (needed a B in higher physics for an astrophysics degree but got a C) and got in to her first choice; now in 3rd year and doing well.
I just hope my dd going to a crappy school but having an unusually work focused advanced higher year doesn’t go against her. Last year I decided to try and not worry about things I cannot control, so it’s been my guide during this shitty pandemic.

yes interesting points @Alittlewornout, I think so many more school leavers go to university than even in my days of old, so I suppose grades are an easy way to make distinctions. Well, easier than interviews which I think can be a better indicator of potential, depending on roles.

I think it’s good to see other exam/school methods, always striving to make better. I think a model more like a sixth form college for S5 and S6 would be better and perhaps taking a lead out of Spain’s, you get a proportion of points towards university entry, would help with behaviour and focus in schools. But I know change isn’t popular.

Yes wise words @WaxOnFeckOff and I’m sure your son will find his voice and place; sounds like he doing amazingly well.

@WaxOnFeckOff your lovely boy will be just fine when it comes to computer job interviews. My Dh is in IT and does not always have the best social skills but has never been without a job. I think when they are discussing IT issues they become more animated where as the rest of us glaze over!! Think that's why he married a nurse as I can talk enough for 2 people 🤣.
Anyway I digress, back to results, nothing any of us can do until Tuesday and just support our kids (and their teachers) whatever happens on the day.

Thanks both, i appreciate it. We all just want the best for our DC and to see them happy. I've not seen anything, but as well as clearing and support from schools, Skills Development Scotland usually have a help line on exam day. Maybe they are struggling to organise that if they aren't in the office though.

DS2 was sure he didn't want to go to university, which truthfully was that he didn't think he'd make it to Uni, he had a late dyspraxia diagnosis and the realisation that not everything was just him not being good enough gave him a bit of a boost.

We played along, tried to direct him to his strengths and suggested that sticking in an application at least gave him the option and that if he didn't want to go, it was fine, he could still apply and then not go.

Anyway, we went with 1 Aspirational choice, 1 stretching choice (his favourite), 2 good bets and 1 sure thing. All but his stretching choice rejected him but he got a very achievable conditional for his favourite choice. Now going into 2nd year and loving it.

Don't let poor results in 4th and even 5th year stop then from trying :)

Also, my very quiet eldest brother (not in IT) married a nurse who does all his talking for him - maybe there is a message in that for DS1.

One of my friends is a senior person in Skills Development Scotland and from what she says they're on the case.

@Wbeezer

One of my friends is a senior person in Skills Development Scotland and from what she says they're on the case.

Brill. We've never had to use them but they seem to be quite engaged in what's happening based on their usual SM presence

We had someone phone up from them or another body to do with careers advice to talk to Dd. They were offering support & advice about uni, suggested a few things for her to think about

hi everyone. DD awaiting S5 higher results
I can't believe the state I'm in anxiety wise.
she is fine!
All her friends are straight A crew who appear not to have to work hard.
she is a slogger who works so hard for things. I just so hope she is happy

I work for skills development scotland also and the exam results helpline is definitely running! You can also contact the individual FB pages for each local area (eg SDS Renfrewshire)

I'll also be popping in here on Tuesday if anyone has any questions. Just tag me and I'll get an alert.

@sassanach, I knew you guys would be on the ball, I think you've just fallen off my FB news feed. As I say, I've never needed to officially use the services but have had great info from you and others on here.

That's a very kind offer for Tuesday too :)

we are doing a phased return to careers offices but still mainly working from home. Can get us via the phone, or through FB pages if phone not suitable. We also use ContactScotland BSL.

We normally go into schools during exam results week and on exam results today to calm down anxious kids and parents but obviously that's changed.

I prefer working from home though but that's another topic!

Hello

This is a very useful thread. We are waiting on Nat 5 exam results. My DD had fairly poor prelim results and alongside the SQA altering results confidence is very low all round!

My worst anxiety is the downgrading of a low C, a pass (especially for Maths) to a fail. Would they be as harsh to do that??!

That's the way though isn't it? I think DC would be perfectly happy with an on-line service but my eldest in particular could really do with someone helping him with interviews and such but accessing that is difficult when he won't phone or pop in to see anyone. It would undoubtedly help if he had a part time job but getting one is beyond him at the moment.

He eventually got offered some counselling via a charity who required him to phone them to access it. I called for him and also said that only being able to access via phone wasn't a great system for folk who had trouble communicating. So, he basically had one session and then they left him having to call for another which of course he couldn't do (and he didn't tell me) and therefore it lapsed and then Covid happened so that's all gone now. In the session he had, they suggested getting a job would be good for him

Sorry to digress..

examxiety, I don't think it will be that personal to be honest. the system will work out the grade and record it and it will simple be something like - school allocates 51%, "normal results" mean a 2% downgrade on maths scores given for that school, new score is 49% and that is allocated.

Maybe I am wrong and that they will look a bit more closely at those that cross a border - there must be some Terms of reference as to how it is all to work. Have they engaged any of the usual marking staff to support any of this do we know?

I'm a manager for SDS, (Hi @sassanach !) and we are all organised for next week! Good luck to everyone!

Hi @weebarra ! are youse back in the office yet? I am loving working from home TBH and don't want to go back (health issues easier to manage as well as childcare, commute etc).

(sorry to get off topic!)

@WaxOnFeckOff does your DS have ASN? There are some charities that offer employment services, including interview coaching. Eg Enable Scotland do a great employability service for those with learning disabilities.

Also Dyslexia Scotland have a careers adviser working for them and lots of SDS careers advisers also volunteer for them too. Their careers service is very good and very tailored to those with dyslexia. I think they may also help dyspraxia too.

No, although my office might be one of the ones opening soonest.
I'm in an at risk group so likely to be working from home for a bit yet. My team are desperate to get back into schools to support the pupils!

DS1 doesn't have a diagnosis and I swing between him having it and not even now. He went for an initial assessment at about age 11 which we didn't pursue as they said any diagnosis would be borderline! He previously had an assessment with speech and languages I think it was at about age 7. They deduced that his lack of attention in class was boredom and that he was just very bright.

He was bullied in primary and I think is mostly just extremely shy and anxious. He has a really good sense of humour and will get even subtle comedy.

I think his lack of diagnosis doesn't allow him to access a lot of things that I think would benefit. he is not open to looking at getting a diagnosis and he's 20 now so nothing I can make him do.

DS2 has dyspraxia so all that info is useful for him but getting him to engage sometimes is like trying herd cats.

Again sorry for the digress but we are not arguing and it's loosely related to exams - if you squint and stare into the distance.

@WaxOnFeckOff Katie Carmichael at Dyslexia Scotland is their career adviser and has dyslexia and dyspraxia. I'd give her a wee call and see what she can suggest anyway?

@weebarra the offices will be easier than HQ - have you seen just how many desks are in there?

anyway exams. Back on topic. Apparently there will be more university courses offered via clearing and lower entry requirements as universities lose international students and therefore try to fill spaces. This could be reassuring to those who are worried about getting the grade they need for university.

On the other hand, many apprenticeship providers / employers are closing or making their apprenticeship managers redundant.

GTG / Arnold Clark are a huge apprenticeship recruiter but their apprenticeship team have all been made redundant. And obviously apprenticeships in hospitality will be struggling too!

Even though both Scottish and UK governments are pledging more money for apprenticeships, it won't happen this year and won't have an impact for a while. IME (and @weebarra will know this too) these initiatives are very much same old same old.

I personally wouldn't encourage my DC to do an apprenticeship in this climate. I'd be steering them more towards FE or HE but not with the universities who rely heavily on foreign students (eg Glasgow) and are rumoured to be considering dropping courses / making redundancies.

Sorry that went on a bit!

I think it's also tough as many are worried about the way universities might be operating and if it will be as worthwhile. My only comment was that taking a year out might be a mistake as they might struggle for a job, can't really enjoy a year out travelling etc so maybe the best to be is at Uni getting a year under your belt even if it isn't in ideal circumstances - just my view though. A friend has a non academic DC who has really stuggled to have anything to do since he's left school, he applied for some things at college and is on the waiting list for something but it's not very local and he doesn't drive and travel isn't straightforward. No jobs, no apprentiships possible with his current results. he missed a lot of school with illness which obviously dosn't help either. I don't think he has big hopes for his results on Tuesday either.