National 5 Exams Start Tommorow anyone on Board?

[deepinthewoods]

As the first of the New National 5 exams starts tomorrow- anyone feeling nervous for their kids? DS seems relaxed and calm, but I am nervous- trying not to show it. The new CfE does not fill me with confidence and these exams are an unknown quantity. Good luck with any exams starting this week.

That's DS just in - one easy question on prose, one not quite so good on poetry, and a straightforward close reading exam. Seems happy enough, thank goodness.

That's great Megrim, DS is back too, feels he has passed, felt it was straightforward and has a big grin on his face. One down, six to go!!

All pretty good today after all. The MacCaig poem was one they like and know about and the essay questions were straightforward. The Close Reading was fairly predictable, although I think my candidates might not have got as many marks as they should as there is far less clarity for them in the questions than at Int 2, and we only really had the old style of questions to prepare them with.

Just Higher now!

My Dd sat this one yesterday and came out feeling good. We've had a read on the Studentroom forum and many of the students there have found the question on 'benign neglect' to be tricky. I suspect for full marks that they were required to show understanding that 'benign neglect' actually benefitted the neglectee rather than being just a lesser form of neglect.

I'm a mum of a 15yo in East Ren so still doing Int 2. Can I ask what might be a daft question? Are the same teachers marking across int 2 and National 5 and are the exams for both equally challenging?

Int 2 and N5 are the same standard - just slightly different emphasis. They are being marked by different exam teams and examiners but are worth the same thing in terms of UCAS points etc. The new N5 is the same standard as the Int 2 so she will have no disadvantage and, in fact, given the Int 2 was well understood by teachers, probably an advantage.

However, many of us feel the N5 will be very positively marked to avoid a disaster so close top the referendum. The Int 2 should be as always.

Thanks rose

P.s. It may be interesting to compare the results post marking between N5 and Int 2. I'm going to watch that with interest (especially given the changes to the appeals process this year)

How comparable are they though?
It has been many years since I sat exams- the old O Grade, so really don't understand the Standard Grade, Intermediate etc. In my day (god that makes me feel old) most pupils were given a crack at the exam- many failed , but such was the nature of things.
It seems to me that only the most able pupils are actually being the opportunity to sit the Nat 5, so will this be reflected in a high pass rate?
In my DS school of 130 pupils in 4th year only 67 pupils were able to even sit the Nat 5 English exam, the rest doing Nat 4 or 3. That seems a very low number.
Is the assumption that most pupils will pass?

I think you are right deep. Only the most able will do N5. 67 from 130 seems low to me as well. Also, will it only be these 67 that can do the higher as well?

We have put through about 850% at N5 - the rest doing N4. One or two will fail and will then get N4 through fallback and will go round again. Some will do N5 in S5, though and that will be their highest level. Others will go on to Higher in S5 and a very few will leave with only N4.

Sorry 85% - not 850% - lucky I don't teach Maths.

Wow- 85%! Is that decided at school level- ours seems to be much lower. Around 50%.

We are a tiny school so the percentage is very rough and will vary from year to year. We decide on a pupil by pupil basis - as any school should. I suppose it depends on your school's attainment, catchment etc.

So how is it going for everyone?

Modern studies, English, Maths, Music, Home Ec and History Nat 5s done and dusted now ... but still lots to go.