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Original poster

Exam results 2024

478 replies

motheronthedancefloor · 07/07/2024 15:44

Thought I'd get started on the exam results thread as we have a month to go!
I think, as a parent, I'm more nervous about this year (Highers) than last year (N5) as the Higher results will influence university applications.
DD tells me she's not thinking about her exams, but then she throws into conversation how 'super smart' her friends are and how they will probably get As, and also has asked me if our postcode is eligible for widening access (it isn't) so it appears to me that she IS thinking / worrying about her results.
We do have a holiday coming up which will hopefully help us all relax.
How are other kids doing?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
ChocoChocoLatte · 07/08/2024 13:28

School have replied saying they were going to ask us if we wanted to appeal on her behalf for two of her subjects.

Time will tell because she was only 2marks off one of her grades.

Vettrianofan · 07/08/2024 13:39

ChocoChocoLatte · 07/08/2024 13:28

School have replied saying they were going to ask us if we wanted to appeal on her behalf for two of her subjects.

Time will tell because she was only 2marks off one of her grades.

So frustrating for them, especially 2 marks out!!

Werweisswohin · 07/08/2024 13:51

Regarding appeals, please bear in mind:

  • they're not remarking, just double checking the total marks,
  • a prelim won't have covered the whole course and in some subjects which are heavy on coursework the prelim may well only be the written exam part and not take the coursework into account,
  • some people end up just below the cut off mark for every grade in every subject - frustrating as that may be when it's your child, it's not really a reason to move someone up a grade.
Werweisswohin · 07/08/2024 13:57

Hapagirl48 · 07/08/2024 10:42

@ChocoChocoLatte Thanks! And yes, no harm in asking. It’s something the school should look at if predictions are so far off. In terms of appeals, I think I will appeal my DD2’s C in nat 5 art and design. She got 7 As and the C in art, she was predicted a B and art is so subjective I think it’s worth it. She’s annoyed she spent so much time on it. I’ll talk to her school about it when they’re back, it’s not the end of the world but it bothers me.

Edited

Art is subjective up to a point however markers are generally very experienced. An appeal won't mean a re-mark, just a recount of marks awarded. If she wants to do Higher Art then speak with the school regarding her options, if not then does it really matter that much?
Art, even at Nat 5, can be hard to accurately predict.

Werweisswohin · 07/08/2024 13:59

Blackbirdinfinity · 07/08/2024 12:15

So in the past if you had been an A all year and got a B in the exam, you’d usually appeal and get an A. Is that the situation pre covid?

Because removing the ability to make a meaningful appeal of a result is a major change. Surely this is massively affecting the final results awarded? When they compare results year by year, do they look at the before appeals procedure or after?

You'd appeal but you wouldn't necessarily definitely get the A.
I think under half of appeals were successful and also appeals were thought about a bit more too.

ChocoChocoLatte · 07/08/2024 14:21

@Vettrianofan her older sibling was only one mark away from two grades - I think it's sometimes worse knowing!

HigherUp · 07/08/2024 15:01

I’m going to wait and see how far from the boundary my DD was in her B at History. She’s having a chat with the school in next few days and we’ll see. She’d been getting an average of 80% upwards in prelims and I think it was approximately anything 66/67% upwards that would get you an A this year. Be interesting to see how far she fell short.

Of course will find out about her other two Bs but the History is the one we’re mostly concerned with. I just checked one of the courses she wants to do at Uni and she needs 3 As and 2 Bs - so she’s buggered on that if she doesn’t get a successful appeal. It’s a course at a Uni that was turning down students with 5 x Band 1 As so it’s a long shot anyway but it would be good to at least achieve the standard entry requirements otherwise there’s no point in even applying. (There are other courses at other Unis she’ll be fine to apply to but it would be good to have a punt at this particular course)

Will keep you updated!

KielderWater · 07/08/2024 15:15

It would be interesting to see if there was any correlation between how close you are to a boundary and your success at appeal. As it is not a remark that would suggest that exams with long essay questions that have a successful appeal would not be linked to closeness to grade boundaries as mistakes in transposing marks would be for quite a few marks, not just one or two.

Blackbirdinfinity · 07/08/2024 15:18

Thanks for all of the interesting points in this discussion. The appeals booklet states an appeal checks:

the marking is in line with national standards.

So when appealing on a subjective subject such as art, I can’t see this other than a remark. The assessor would look to see if the marks awarded were fair and inline with national standards, no?

birdsoeking · 07/08/2024 15:19

Fantastic to hear some schools are contactable about results and appeals. Ours won’t entertain anything until they go back next week.

Vettrianofan · 07/08/2024 15:25

birdsoeking · 07/08/2024 15:19

Fantastic to hear some schools are contactable about results and appeals. Ours won’t entertain anything until they go back next week.

Same here. Not had any emails returned yet, although DS contacted his teacher's by email and one of three got back in touch to say more details about the breakdown of marks will be available at school next week.

Vettrianofan · 07/08/2024 15:25

Teachers*

Werweisswohin · 07/08/2024 15:44

Schools not back here yet but DS did e-mail, not necessarily expecting a reply straight away. The two who have replied were very prompt though, as they normally are with everything.

KielderWater · 07/08/2024 15:57

Blackbirdinfinity · 07/08/2024 15:18

Thanks for all of the interesting points in this discussion. The appeals booklet states an appeal checks:

the marking is in line with national standards.

So when appealing on a subjective subject such as art, I can’t see this other than a remark. The assessor would look to see if the marks awarded were fair and inline with national standards, no?

I presume they check a couple of question and if they look fine that would be that. If not fine then I can’t see how they can avoid a remark? Though they are very clear it is not a remark.

KielderWater · 07/08/2024 16:00

birdsoeking · 07/08/2024 15:19

Fantastic to hear some schools are contactable about results and appeals. Ours won’t entertain anything until they go back next week.

I thought most schools were contactable on results day? We have another week off so may be that is a difference between some schools and others - we won’t be back until after priority appeals by applicants closes and only a day before priority appeals by the school closes.

rainuntilseptember · 07/08/2024 16:47

I would think all schools are contactable but a lot of parents want replies from the individual class teachers. Who are hopefully not looking at their emails yet. Even if you speak to a guidance teacher about an appeal, really they'd need to ask for further info from the subject teacher so there isn't much point until school go back. I can see if you're waiting for a whole other week rather than just to Monday that can be very frustrating.

S00LA · 07/08/2024 18:12

In my kids school there are MANY teachers in as it’s subject renegotiation day.

The kids have to go with a parent and sit in an enormous queue to speak to a pupil support teacher ( any random one ) if they want to change their subject choices for next year.

The teacher we got was REALLY good, he listened to my S5 who wanted to completely change his S6 timetable after getting his higher results. They did their best to accommodate all his changes although some will depend on other schools in the consortium.

i can’t imagine how that works if the kids can’t even have that discussion until the start of term.

Original poster
motheronthedancefloor · 07/08/2024 20:16

We've realised that DD could potentially be classed as a young carer, and meet the contextual requirements as I'm disabled but I'm not sure if / how we would evidence this or what evidence universities would require? Would you need to have been on some register or what? We've never considered DD to be one, we thought you had to be absent from school to care for someone or what.

OP posts:
KielderWater · 07/08/2024 20:37

motheronthedancefloor · 07/08/2024 20:16

We've realised that DD could potentially be classed as a young carer, and meet the contextual requirements as I'm disabled but I'm not sure if / how we would evidence this or what evidence universities would require? Would you need to have been on some register or what? We've never considered DD to be one, we thought you had to be absent from school to care for someone or what.

Register as one with Young Scot and speak to guidance at school. You could also contact your local carers centre and be asked to be put in touch with the Young Carers service and register with that. There isn’t an ‘official’ register. Do you get any disability benefits (you don’t need to answer here)? If so that could be used as evidence of need should school require any evidence. The school may have a teacher who looks after young carers. In terms of care provided - this could be helping you with your condition directly (eg some degree of personal care, managing medications), doing extra around the house that you would normally do but are unable to do, and providing emotional support to help you deal with your disability. You don’t need to share details about your disability though the receipt of PIP/ADP could be used to evidence if there is any pushback, though you shouldn’t need to share even that. Also look at Young Carers Grant. As far as UCAS - there is a box to tick.

https://young.scot/get-informed/young-carers-package/

The Young Carers Package

The Young Carers Package is available to anyone between the ages of 11-18 who has a caring role. It aims to allow young carers to make the most of their free time and support them.

https://young.scot/get-informed/young-carers-package

KrumPot · 07/08/2024 20:45

motheronthedancefloor · 07/08/2024 20:16

We've realised that DD could potentially be classed as a young carer, and meet the contextual requirements as I'm disabled but I'm not sure if / how we would evidence this or what evidence universities would require? Would you need to have been on some register or what? We've never considered DD to be one, we thought you had to be absent from school to care for someone or what.

The young carer I know had to show evidence to the university she received carers allowance and school had to mention it in their reference.

If you get disability benefit she can claim carers allowance, engage with a local carers group, make sure school have it logged on her file so they can confirmed it

Original poster
motheronthedancefloor · 07/08/2024 20:48

yes I get full PIP but I dont think she's eligible for carers allowance as she's at school full time and I work full time (albeit entirely from home)

OP posts:
ChocoChocoLatte · 07/08/2024 20:49

@motheronthedancefloor mine are carers for me too and receive young carers allowance but I never realised that would help their cause before. I'd be interested to investigate that on behalf of DC 3

ChocoChocoLatte · 07/08/2024 20:51

@motheronthedancefloor and my two eldest got carers allowance and were both at school and I work (albeit very part time)

We used it towards driving lessons

KielderWater · 07/08/2024 20:58

KrumPot · 07/08/2024 20:45

The young carer I know had to show evidence to the university she received carers allowance and school had to mention it in their reference.

If you get disability benefit she can claim carers allowance, engage with a local carers group, make sure school have it logged on her file so they can confirmed it

Show quote history

You don’t need to be in receipt of carers allowance. Indeed, you were not entitled to carers allowance if you were in full time education (eg school). Although from 24 June this year you could receive Carers Support Payment.

KrumPot · 07/08/2024 21:04

The young person I know received a young carers allowance (not sure of the exact name) @KielderWater in S6. The University asked for proof of the award