Six subjects in S4 the norm?

[DeathStarCanteenGal]

DD is about to pick her subjects for S4 and can only pick 6 subjects - which she will then do at anything from Nat 3 to Nat 5 level, depending in what the school think she will pass. Although she seems quite bright and quite conscious, so au hope Nat 5s are doable
But given I did eight subjects at S4 this just doesn't seem like a lot - however I fully accept I was at high school back in the 80s and thing have changed since then, so wondered if this is the norm?
school say they do this because it is what 'most students' can cope with

Are GCSE/O levels not considered easier/less content than Nat5s though?

We were always taught that English GCSE/O level were easier than Scottish Ordinary/Standard/Nat5, and Highers were easier than A levels.

Not sure where Adv Higher stand in comparison to A levels though.

We are Midlothian & it's 7 nat 5's but DD school also does additional qualifications here & there like first aid to get them extra qualifications. S6 she is going to do 1 higher & 4 Nat 5's. She is capable but school gives massive anxiety & she's autistic so trying to balance wellbeing/burn out & school.

I just assumed Nat 5's were the equilivent of standard grades? Is this not the case? I was thinking DD should consider more Nat 5's as highers would be much harder but is this not the case?

I'm not sure about all subjects however I did read (somewhere official but cannot recall exactly where) that Nat5 Maths (A to C) is equivalent to a credit pass (1 or 2) at Standard Grade. I think that's probably broadly true for many subjects, although some of them are assessed differently now and some different subjects have appeared. I do firmly believe that while grades are important, especially for some courses, well being is equally important. Your daughter will find her path. In terms of hardness, she might cope fine with (a) Higher(s) in subjects she's most interested in/confident about. Higher English is always useful to have too.

Are GCSE/O levels not considered easier/less content than Nat5s though?

I don’t think my 1980s O levels were easier or less content than Nat 5s, and from what I’ve seen of my youngest’s GCSEs I’m not sure there’s much difference there either.

As far as I remember, an A at AH used to be worth more UCAS points than an A at A level (pre A stars) though.

I just remember being told that the jump from GCSE to A level was more than that from Standard Grade to Higher because the English equivalents were easier at S4 level then harder at S5/6 level. Maybe I just had ill-informed teachers. Where do you live if you're doing English qualifications?

The jump from GCSE to A level is greater because an A level takes 2 years of study, compared to 1 year for a Higher, not because GCSE is easier than N5.

I was advised that it was a bit of both.
It's not really relevant to the topic, it's just when O levels were mentioned.

We moved to England so the youngest DC switched to GCSEs and A levels.

I think the step up from GCSE to A level can be a big one in some subjects, particularly maths, but then A levels are a 2 year course so it’s a bigger step up than from Nat 5 to Higher.

Ah yes I know which one. My cousin is in 6th year at catholic school not far. She stays in Boghall. She's been accepted into uni x 3 based on where she lives. As it's deprived. Her grades never got her in. Not the worst just not what they required xxx

Fortunately we're in one of the nicer bits @Cece92 - but that means DD will have to rely on grades if she wants to go to uni!

That's unfortunate. My aunty and uncle aren't loaded but well off but because of their postcode and also they are both ex military too. I'm not looking forward to all this to come soon. X

Everyone has to rely on grades, it's just that it's appreciated that it is potentially harder to get top grades in some situations.

Her grades would have got her in, it's just that it's acknowledged that some folk have advantage and some folk have disadvantage (not related to actual ability but more socioeconomic factors) and so the Universities approach applications accordingly.