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Secondary education

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Original poster

GCSE Support Thread 2013

681 replies

wolvesarerunning · 18/04/2013 16:33

I've been waiting for someone to start this (was on the 2012 thread last year and am unlucky enough to have dc 18 months apart in consecutive school years!) Please join me to support and share the angst with only four weeks to go now to the first written exam.

OP posts:
Sonnet · 13/05/2013 15:25

DD1 just text to say that the Ferench Listening was okay but thelast question on the Reading was difficult but overall okay!

IGCSE's have no course work and are not modular - just an exam at the end of 2 years. In comparison, the GCSE DD1 just took in French was only worth 40% as she had already completed 60% in assesment. They are not harder just a different format.

UneBelleCerise · 13/05/2013 16:22

Hello, my DD is currently in Y11, so is in the middle of all her GCSEs - she does 9 IGCSEs and 1 GCSE.

She told about the 'killer question' on the Edexcel IGCSE Maths paper, too. She found that question very difficult. Confused There's a thread on The Student Room here which discusses it and your DCs may want to take a look. Having read it, I'd say the general consensus is that it was a tricky paper.

She's also got Edexcel IGCSE Physics and French tomorrow. For the French, she's made a sheet with useful A* phrases to put in the writing. Is there any way for me to share this on Mumsnet? I think it may be useful for some of your DCs, even the ones that don't do IGCSE.

Good luck to all the DCs! Smile

MrsBartlet · 13/05/2013 16:28

Dd did French today as well and said it was okay, too. Some easy, some hard was her verdict!

webwiz · 13/05/2013 16:49

DS said French and RS were ok and he was happy with his answers. Nothing here for another 10 days now then its English lit and Music listening before half term.

RussiansOnTheSpree · 13/05/2013 16:51

Hmm. DD1 thinks that the listening was horrible but the reading was fine. French is very double plus not her thing though.

mrsrhodgilbert · 13/05/2013 18:03

My dd did RS today and they were given the wrong paper. If anybody noticed they didn't say anything during the exam. It was for a slightly different syllabus, all religion instead of just Christianity I believe. The head is requesting special dispensation re the marking. I'm struggling to understand how this happened.

creamteas · 13/05/2013 18:23

Russians DD had the same verdict. Listening was difficult, but reading ok.

mrshod that is terrible. So either the school didn't check the label or the papers inside the package were different from what was stated. I'm guessing the exam board would have more sympathy with the latter

basildonbond · 13/05/2013 18:33

RS 'ok' acc to ds but it's his weaker of the two papers so he's hoping he can make up marks on the philosophy paper

Physics and PE tomorrow - absolutely no revision has happened for PE and lots for physics which is about right considering the ludicrous amount of time and effort that went into his PE coursework last term to the detriment of other subjects ...

RussiansOnTheSpree · 13/05/2013 19:06

That's interesting DD1 doesn't have physics tomorrow. She has biology. she doesn't have physics till next week.

creamteas · 13/05/2013 19:29

DD has biology as well.

She is sitting two papers, but has just noticed that only one states she has the 25% extra time she is entitled too. Hoping that this a typo and the scribe and time will be there in the morning.....

MrsFrederickWentworth · 13/05/2013 20:41

Russians and cream, Ds had exactly the same reaction to French, as did all his class.

Niknakpaddywhack · 13/05/2013 21:53

My ds also said the same about the french - the listening paper quite tricky but the reading much easier.

Biology tomorrow then RS on Friday.

Fingers crossed and good luck to all the dc's for tomorrow.

rabbitlady · 13/05/2013 23:19

My dd did RS today and they were given the wrong paper.

aaarggghhhh! worst nightmare! my pupils have to write the code for their exam at the top of every sheet of paper they use, so that if someone gives them the wrong paper, they can point it out.

pot39 · 13/05/2013 23:21

Ok everyone. It gets worse. My son did well in GCSEs last year now totally flunked and having to start again in September. Luckily as he is basically a good and lovely boy his school will let him do it. It's very hard as a parent as you can't really do much to motivate a 17 year old who actually wants to do well but can't make himself do it.
There are moments of relief 2nd son, year 8, severely dyslexic goes around saying 'stupid boy' in the style of Captain Mainwaring at his bro at every opportunity.

rabbitlady · 13/05/2013 23:21

by which i mean, from the start of year 10 they learn the exam codes as well as the subject content. to avoid 'wrong paper'.

mrsrhodgilbert · 14/05/2013 08:02

I think the school ordered the wrong exam papers, a clerical error and it wasn't noticed until after the exam. It appears that subject teachers are not allowed to see the paper before the exam, or surely they would have noticed. Apparently 1 girl did put her hand up to say it was the wrong paper and told she was mistaken.

Does anyone have experience of how this sort of situation generally turns out with regard to marking? I have heard of a school where the whole group had to resist.

Biology this morning, dd is hoping for a good paper to maintain her excellent score so far, good luck to all.

hellsbells99 · 14/05/2013 09:16

Biology here too. DD was extremely nervous this morning.

mindgone · 14/05/2013 11:30

Biology here too, would be reassured by signs of nerves! I guess they can't win!

beachyhead · 14/05/2013 11:40

Physics here... Waiting for her to call. I've gone to work today so she's cycling home to an empty house, well apart from dogsGrin
Hope it's not too bad. I don't hold out much hope though as Sciences and Maths are not her thing at all!

'Just looking for a pass' seems to be my mantra this week...

hellsbells99 · 14/05/2013 12:13

Had a text to say Biology (unit 3) went ok. Not sure if that means good or just so so, but at least not bad!

StressedoutMotherofTeens · 14/05/2013 12:36

My DD sat her first Module of RE yesterday - said it was "hard". I am incredibly stressed out as she is a bright girl to whom everything comes so easy, however, even she has realised that she needs to revise a lot more for these GCSE's. She has an English paper next week, then French Oral and the Sciences after half term. I can't MAKE her revise (Year 10 - thinks she knows it all). But what is really annoying is that during this week her other subject tutors are still giving them tests! Maths and History today and tomorrow. Where's the sense in that - as if I'm not worn out from it all already... Sad

OrmirianResurgam · 14/05/2013 12:54

No news re biology yet. It's one of DS1's preferred subjects but not expecting miracles Hmm He will only say 'alright' when I ask him - same answer whether he comes out with a C or a B. Not looking forward to the next month or so.....

footphobic · 14/05/2013 13:19

Have just found this thread, hoping for tips Grin dd1 has Biology today too and RS on Fri.

Will be great to share support, just starting to feel anxious, she's done various bits so far, Art and Drama and Music comp and performance done, Maths is done and they are allowing her (after lots of persuasion) to use Maths lesson time for other subject revision.

She seems quite organised and not too stressed so far, she has made herself a revision timetable and folder, but next week I think the nerves and stress might properly kick in and I hope she can fit in all the revision she still needs to do. Eng Lit 1 and Chem on Mon, Phys and Eng Lit 2 on Thurs, Music on Fri and Hist and Geog the following two weeks.

She got her Music comp/perf grade yesterday; she's been taking this after school in an extra group as they couldn't timetable her for it, she's only had half the teaching time, she thought she would do well to get a B and she managed an A, so she is very pleased.

Good luck to all.

Sonnet · 14/05/2013 13:24

DD1 had physics today too and thought it was okay. She said she was expecting harder. Not holding out too much hope though given her verdict of yesterdays French was the complete opposite to what everyone else on here posted :)

Sonnet · 14/05/2013 13:26

Mrshod - the wrong paper!! how bloddy unfair!