Science GCSEs

[Jux]

DD has just started year 9. She is in the top set for science. They have been told that there are 3 exams for each branch of science, so 9 science exams for GCSE. To take the pressure off, the school is proposing that they take 3 this year, 3 next year and then 3 in their actual GCSE year.

I think I can see the logic of this, but this is year 9! DD is 13! How can year 9 children do a GCSE - even a bit of it - two years early, when they have barely started the syllabus?

How do science GCSEs work?

It will be Edexcel I'm fairly sure.

here

I think I'm more confused! EdExcel on p2 of their FAQ seem to be saying that unless you complete in June 2013 then no exam taken before that will be counted.

And then somewhere else, they say something else, but I have another migraine and can't remember.

It would probably help if I spoke to the school really, wouldn't it? (Desperately wishing she didn't have to.)

I've spoken to ds, who's spoken to his physics teacher. Apparently, they are doing the GCSE's over 3 years, not 2. This can't be right, can it?

Cazzymaddy it is generally viewed better for A levels/university to have a set of GCSEs mostly taken together in one year rather than over three years.

If the work has been covered then it is possible to do well in some subjects early such as Maths but for others (English Lit/History) a bit of extra maturity makes a huge difference.

We did O levels after which I paid no attention to exams except when there was a scandal. So I think of Biology, chemistry and physics as separate subjects to start with, though obviously they were all sciences.

Physics was the hardest and you needed good maths to think about it. We did have a work experience girl once who was doing double science. until then, I thought that phrase referred to the length of the lesson

I think I do understand now, but I still don't know what level B1 or core science, for instance is.

(LadySybil, are you who I think you are? Hope you're good, and your ds is still providing plenty of tea.)

It is not just science; all GCSEs where courses started in September 2012 are now linear. There are no modular exams. There will still be some CA, but this is minimal and will only cover things like practicals that have to be carried out in a classroom.
The change is for all GCSEs and all exam boards as it is a change brought about by the Government.

I have just been to a GSCE evening for year 10 parents and am going to email the Science teacher for clarification.

From what we were told - triple science-ers will take 3 separate exams at the end of year 11 and double science-ers will take Core science in year 10 (for one GCSE) and Additional science in year 11 (for another GCSE). Not sure if this is modular or not. My point is - if your year 10 child struggles with the triple they could end up being a lot worse off than those taking the double and it won't be apparent until too late. From what you have all said it sounds as if boards are very different in their approach.

Hi Jux (used to be belledechoc) I'm well, thank you. I hope you're all OK

Exams now need to be taken at the point they are 'cashed in' therefore any exams taken at the end of year 10 must be used to achieve a gcse at that point. Core science is gcse level as is additional- by law (with some exceptions) pupils need to sit a minimum of core science. Triple sciences are not harder than double. Double forms the first 2 thirds of each. It's not as clear cut as core science is the basics such as cells, indeed cells is in additional not core. Lastly please listen to the science teachers if we suggest your child would be better doing double rather than triple, we do know what we are talking about funnily enough. The pace is often faster to fit in triples and I see so many pupils whose parents have insisted they do separates against advice really struggle.

I think we all just need to forget what went on in our day, and what out DCs who are just a little bit older did. These experiences are Irrelevent.

I really welcome the move to linear, although I realise it will be difficult for less able students.

The system we have had until now has grown more ridiculous by the day. I have a real bee in my bonnet about students taking GCSE modules in Year 9 and 10. Most do not reach their full potential when taking exams before they have reached a certain level of maturity. Believe it or not, their communication skills really do improve all the way through to the end of Year 11 (thanks, English teachers :) ), and these improved skills show up in all their exams.

The other thing with GCSEs in three years is the imposition they have on family life. If a family wants to move house, perhaps for job reasons, they may feel that they are stuck for the duration of exam courses. Given that 2 years is a typical family spacing, this incarceration can go on for 5+ years for a typical family.

As for Edexcel Science - there are two modes for "triple science". The simplest is GCSE Science in Year 10, followed by GCSE Additional Science and Further Science in Year 11. Alternatively, they can do Biology, Chemistry and Physics over two years, with exams in June of Y11. They cover exactly the same material in both routes, but there is more flexibility in the Science route if a student is not sure whether to do two GCSEs or three. A student (or parent) needn't worry about this - it is simply an admin challenge between the school and Edexcel.

At our school the GCSE years start in year 9 and the change to linear exams is not going to make a lot of difference as they are still planning some entries in year 9,10 and 11.

Sitting in year 9 and 10 works for some students and some subjects better than others, so maths and science still gets very good grades early on, but English not so much from what I can see.

But the biggest problem I think coud happen is that far fewer children will be able to do higher tier papers, Currently students at the C/B border are often entered for a foundation paper earlier on, and if they get a good C can retake at higher level. The move to linear means that there might be more emphasis on playing safe and sitting foundation to enable entry into the local FE colleges (where most of this level of student goes). Most of the colleges round here require require 4 C grades including maths and English for level 3 courses, so I am guessing that is probably standard.

Well, I am happy if dd's teacher thinks she can do it, and thinks it will be beneficial for her. I told her that her teacher wouldn't enter her for an exam he didn't think she could pass. She has said that if, nearer the time, she doesn't feel ready for it then she won't do it.

Her English is fab, her level in the middle of last year was 7a, and I thought that would be one she'd take early with ease, but of course they won't have covered all the texts so that's a silly idea.

I think I'll just trust her teacher, and then see what he says come parents' evening and maybe ask some more dumb ass questions then

Thanks all! (good luck to ds, LadySybil - do I curtsey when I address you - and to everyone else's children who will be doing exams this year.)

No, Jux. You say 'cheers' with your

Cheers!

How's life? Did you ever get that flat sorted out?

DD took core science papers last year (Year 10 but August birthday so only 14). Revised hard and got ABB. Wanted to study at A level so retook this year (even though hadn't studied for over a year and had 22 exams in total instead of just 3) and got AAA. Not a straight A student by any means (albeit good at science). Only difference was maturity. Think younger ones in year do better to leave exams till Year 11.

Finally. We sold it in the end (still wish we'd been able to keep it). The refurb cost twice as much as it should have as the builder was just constantly stoned. We're still waiting for the solicitors to finish the probate stuff. Takes a long time....

DD's birthday is August too, so she'll be 13 at the time she takes exams if she does them in year 9. I'll ask about resits when I see her teacher.