Y13 support thread, anyone?

[cardibach]

I remember our GCSE one 2 years ago. It was a haven! I hesitate to start this as I'm not totally confident of wanting to post DDs results in the end, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
So, how's the revision going? What are the tricky subjects for anyone's DC?
DD is revising steadily, but then she always does and has had some disastrous module results, so not filled with massive confidence. Biology is her issue - she knows and understands it but can't seem to give the examiner what they are looking for. We've had papers back and her tutor says she hasn't answered anything incorrectly, just hasn't said precisely what the examiner wants. Seems so unfair.

I'm stressing. Anyone else?

Isthiscorrect you sound like a lovely librarian

DS did FP3 today, he said it was quite tough and he needed all the time.
Next one is FP4 on Thursday, then a gap until after half term..

M2 here - was really tough but DS feels he got through it well. Used every spec of time as it took him a while to think through questions - he said things came back to him. So pleased - was nervous!!! Having to keep my nerves way out if sight of my young DS man!

summer oh yes, I know what you mean about keeping your nerves out of sight - it is very difficult isn't it? I have been awake since 5am worrying about today.

ds found M2 okay. He knows he made a silly mistake with a triangle and missed one question.
He has dyslexic problems and was getting 20% extra time which they told him today he wasnt getting anymore. Thankfully he has been practising in normal time and didnt run out of time.

sorry to hear bruffin that extra time is taken-surely a warning would have been appropriate. You can dispute that - we did with SENCO and it carried on.

Have nearly two weeks now before new exams are upon us then they are thick and fast.

Do wish my DS was a little more pushing off himself in run up - last day or so he really gets down to it otherwise it is steady amounts. Have to work with him.

Hope exam went okay Fanta and you are having a calm cup of tea
Does wonders!

bruffin sorry to hear that your DS didn't get all the extra time he should have got - that is very tough for him to hear on the day. I'm pleased the M2 was okay though, that is good news.

summer yes exam was ok thank you - DD reasonably happy with C1 which is a relief. I am drinking so much tea to keep myself awake in the day as I am awake half the night worrying about it all! I think they get very tired with it all - DD looks really tired and I think this is why they don't go at full throttle all the time.

DD has biology AS tomorrow and is very worried about it. I have been going over papers with her today as she has been at home - I am exhausted with it all. This is one exam in particular we both will be pleased to have out of the way.

thankfully ds doesnt seem too phased by it.

He got a Good luck postcard from Southampton this morning which is a nice touch.

Hello everyone, just pulling up a chair. Delighted to find other parents just as anxious as me.

Helpful comment Fanta that they get tired.DS went in late today as Physics teacher is only letting them get on with papers now - no real teaching. He's gone in before Maths in free lessons to work. I get anxious when he plays a few games and takes it easy but it is absolutely right that he needs to pace himself and DS works better later in day/evening.

I must stop flapping!

Luckily, we have a Physics tutor to keep it going - really needs the help there. However, he is fairly cool and confident.

Conversation of getting a part time job came up this morning and he is not enthused - but needs to get out in the world so we will gently insist there so gap year does not waste away. He will travel/volunteer and do tutoring/ assistance work at school too. Hopefully work experience placements along the way.

Good luck to all those with the nerves like me. Have to say am proud of DS. He seems to be coping well.

DD is home from her AS biology resit and is reasonably happy with how it went. I am just relieved that it is over - this exam has occupied so much time, both in terms of actually learning all the stuff, but also in terms of the endless discussions we have all had about it. I feel like a little weight has been lifted now that one is out of the way.

Petra welcome

bruffin the postcard was a lovely touch.

summer I feel very nervous about it all too. In many ways, DD seems very young still and there is so much riding on these exams. I'm pleased your DS is coping well - I have to say DD is managing a bit better than I dared to hope.

Not sure how it went for everyone else but Bio was apparently a) a disaster b) horrific c) not even in the text book d) impossible for anyone not taking physics
Ds doesn't take Bio but the library was awash with tears and students in shock. Not helped by many of them taking Economics this afternoon. All in all it hasn't seemed to be a good day although lots of positivity with GCSE Eng Lit yesterday. Hope it went better for any DC taking exams today.

Isthiscorrect it is so helpful that you have this inside knowledge as a librarian. Do you know which board this was for the biology? DD didn't mention anything about hers needing physics

Ds also did Bio re sit this morning, seemed quite happy with it and didn't mention needing physics which he doesn't do! His was AQA

THe postcard is a lovely touch, bruffin !
All DD got in the post from Cardiff today was a medical form and a DBS form. Woop, woop.
Haven't heard anything bad about Bio here (DD didn't resit this one) and we are WJEC. I have spoken to our librarian who invigilated it, and there were no tears here.

Cardiff is a nice place Cardi - is that where she hopes to go? Good student vibe and nice quality of life in city for all.

Have most A2's not started yet then?

summer I think the A2s start after half term for the written exams.

summer - DS1's first exam June 2nd, all his are written exams though.

Yep, Dd's A2s start June 3rd.

ds hasn't got any until 2nd June either - his are all written. Don't know why they are 'bunched' like that - you think it would be better for all students to have their exams spread out slightly more, rather than all the Sciencey ones being first and all the 'essay subjects' being later. Anyone know why that is?

I know, it looks rough. The exam boards need to tread a fine line between covering all the subjects without too many clashes but getting them done as quickly as possible to minimise disruption to school spaces and the costs of hiring invigilators which some institutions do.

DD has 8 over 3 weeks, which I think is generous but I've had students facing 3 in one day before which broke my heart.

petra - similarly spread here, last one not until Friday 20th - so 6 exams in all, and only 4 that really matter as two are Gen Studies, spread over three weeks. AS seemed much more compressed last year, with quite a few double headers, but at least no sets of 3 in one day. 2 in the same day bad enough, three must put incredible strain on DCs.

Huge strain. It can be better organised, that's for sure.

We have 9 exams over 2 weeks and one day. Often two in a day - think tha tmay be the resits. Feels a bit bunched. We've had one A2 already.

Gosh! So much to manage!

First paper is not until 9th June here and the last on 24th.

Thank goodness for the late start - DD currently has a gastric bug and is starting her 6 th straight day lying down on the settee without a book in sight. Trying not to panic ( me not her!)