Sign in here if your child is in Yr11 - taking GCSE's this Summer.

[Milliways]

Hi
Apologies if this has been done this year, but I found a similar thread very supportive when DD started the exam treadmill (not at Uni) and we are about to start again with DS.

Milliboy is 15, late Summer baby so cannot get a job until the end of the Summer hols, when they will have all gone. Good news is - this gives him more revision time

He is at a boys selective Grammar school, so the pressure is on to achieve. He also wants to aim for a decent Uni so understands that good GCSE grades are vital.

Still doesn't make the whole process any easier for him or me :)

Who else has boarded the 2011 Exam Express?

Hi Milliways, can I join too please?

DS2 has been sitting his addditional science exams this week, then will take the triple science in the summer, along with the rest of his GCSEs.

He is in Y11 at the local comp, amd is expected to achieve high grades, before taking A levels.

Please can I have a ticket near the bar on the exam express?

Bar Tickets on sale now, welcome aboard!

DS has Physics coursework this week but his main mocks are in Feb.

Does your DS know what A levels he is aiming for?

DS2 also taking GCSEs this summer.
He too is at a boys Grammar and should get pretty good grades if he can drag himself away from other distractions.
He is still uncertain about what A levels to take or what he wants to study after that.

Morning!

DS hoping to take Maths, FM, Physics, Chemistry and Resistant Materials at AS

How about yours?

Hello both :)

DS is looking at Maths (?Further Maths AS only) Chemistry, English Lit & History (Wants to teach Primary so covering his bases).

Anyone else want to join us?

Jumps aboard the 2011 Exam Express.

Ds is taking 11 GCSEs, started with 12 but didn't bother claiming RE as it was only a C, so would look bad on his UCAS appln (according to his school).

He's also at Grammar but isn't doing a massive amount of work, as his theory is that so long as you have 8 good GCSEs (ie A or A*), you can let the others slide. I only hope he's right, I've given up nagging years ago.

He had a chemistry module this morning I didn't even know about, found him revising in bed this morning for apparently the first time

I'm leaving it to the school to whip him as necessary, they're really shit hot at getting them to work to A grade for most of the time so feel that when he's at home he can do without any further pressure from us.

Hi Mumblechum - welcome aboard :)

At least he was revising! DS's year have taken no Maths or science modules yet (just coursework) - they do them ALL in May/June. Must work for them but DS would have liked to get some out the way before now.

How are you all finding the controlled assessments?

Hello Pixie, and welcome :)

Must be a relief that your DD has already bagged such great grades!

can I jump on the train ?

Ds1.. 12 GCSEs going on and I can't wait until it's all over!

Been told he'll need 5-7 of those at A -A* go do the uni thing he wants. ( he's in line to only achieve 4/5 if he doesn't ace the exams)

I have pointed out lots of other job options in a very casual way.. because I haven't seen a jot of revision going on, no matter how much I have nagged.

We went to see another college last night, which looks nice and he's chosen that one.

has put down to study Maths, physics, Biology and chemistry at As/A2 (?)(A-level).

I have no idea where he gets that from because it certainly isn't from me!

:) well we could make a show.. I'll stand up and talk about phsyics and maths and you can prance about in front of me:o

they seem to have moved a couple of the subjects to these modular things.. So exams last year and this year.. But he just swans in and casually announces the grade... ( which bugs me because for some totally irrational reason in my head.. Don't tell me you got 'x' grade or percentage when you could have studied and got those missing points!..... However I keep those thoughts in my own head!).

He has announced that ' Harry's mum is gonna get him a ped.. If he gets 4 A's... What do you think ?"

i did reply " that's nice for Harry, you get your A's and you get the opportunity to earn a LOT of money in the end!... Oh and I'll buy you beans for uni!"

cheeky wotsit!

Hi Carrotcake!

When DD got her results I took her to a (Buy-one-get-one-free tickets) Wicked show in London. We both enjoyed that!

I don't know where mine get their brains, neither DH or I went to Uni even.

DS got his timetable today, so final exam date is now etched on the calendar :)

Hi milliways :)

He will get a something nice from us.. But I'm not going to tell him after the hint for a moped! And his clothes and car wish list for prom (which we are making him save up for.. But we will then match that and put it In his savings for him.. I know it's harsh)
:)

just asked if he has his dates yet and apparently tomorrow is the day they get them.
But we do know his date for study leave in may.. That has been scrawled on the calander with a big smiley face lol!

We have taken advantage of the fact they finish in June, and booked our holiday for early July - before the official holidays start. First holiday outside the Summer Hols since 1996!

DS's school don't have a GCSE Prom (all boys!) but they do an A level leaving event (probably with a local private girls).

Oh can I join too?

My dd is taking here GCSEs this year too, she is one of the youngest in her year, not 16 til middle of August but she has always coped really well despite this.
She had a science exam yesterday and has been very busy doing lots of Art course work over the last few weeks. She spent a week in hospital in November and then another week off recuperating at home but her friends and teachers have been fab and have helped her to catch up with everything. She is taking 9 GCSEs (having already taken 2 in year 10 which she got A's for).

She seems very calm about it all, its me who is stressing.

Hi Herbietea. Wow, you must be proud! It's great when they know what they want to do - but do you worry about being in the forces?

Welcome Aboard FeelingOld! My DS is also a mid August - doesn't seem fair that they will be 15 when taking the exams. Hope your DD catches up and is fully recovered.

Pixie - DC6!! Wow, how exciting. At least the birth is not due just before/during the exams By the time DC6 gets to this age you will be the expert :)

The train is filling up nicely now!

Have you all got the dreaded timetables now?

Can I join too?

DS will be taking his exams this summer too - just got back from parents evening, he is on track to pass them all - he isnt a top A/A* except for IT but will get C/B grades in all other subjects we hope!

DS wants to carry on to do his a-levels, and has opted for maths, IT, biology and psychology with a view to either teaching or nursing - very different careers but at least he kindof knows where he wants to go!

It is difficult to get a very lazy DS to do his coursework/homework/revision - if anyone has any tips - would be much appreciated!

Good luck to everyone doing exams - its going to be a busy summer!

I'll try to keep up. Gosh, our teenagers are damn clever.
Poor DS is the only student at his school taking GCSEs - he has cerebral palsy and is at special school. He is taking 7 (which is the max his school could offer) - Maths, Eng Lang, & Lit, Science, German, ICT, Geography (and I had to fight for the Geography as the school didn't offer it due to complications of field trips).
His plan is to secure his place at a specialist sports college (I know, it's very weird, they have actually offered him a place but I cannot tell him yet as our Council hasn't agreed to fund it, it went to the Director today) where he will add to his GCSEs and a couple of AS's whilst continuing with his PE studies and sports stuff. Then will move on to take animal husbandry/stable/kennel management at an agricultural college. Although Connexions are pushing him to go for journalism.
He has a strange life plan.
It's all rather scary and we squabble a lot over coursework/revision/work-play balance.