Year 11 GCSE Exam Support Thread

[Littleham]

Is anyone else fed up with GCSE's and the stress they create? Thought I would start a support thread for the following few months. Mocks start next week at my dd3's school.

Mine actually has done quite a lot each day but it's nearly all been physics! However, she does know that's what she's done. I think she figured she'd rather do one or two things properly than try to half-do everything at this stage. She had already done a fair chunk of chemistry, think she's continuing with that.

Lots of revision done here today.

I did Macbeth, P&P and Tennyson, liked them all (except The Lotus Eaters).

DD's been working quite hard, including prepping 2 CAs, and doing science revision notes, 5/6 papers worth now done. Also been in to school once.

I did A Tale of two Cities (ugh) Macbeth (ugh) and The Importance of Being Earnest (ok).

DS1 still practising for next weeks life or death/last chance saloon/please get a great mark German speaking test.

Sparkling. HOW can you go ugh to Macbeth? I love it. Took DD to see it at The Globe last(?) year. 'Twas great (even though DD only just big enough to see over the stage).

Teen I had a revelation in that Macbeth is a play and therefore to be watched. So reading and picking it to bits/buying the revision notes/pencilling notes in the margins was a sure fire way of killing it for me. Makes total sense to watch it IYKWIM.

I just really hated all the line by line picking apart of the literature.

Agree, Shakespeare much better watched than read.

But nobody told me that at 16.

Is there anywhere Macbeth is on? Lady time I Googled it wasn't on anywhere in the country.

Lynette scroll down!

I didn't ever do any Shakespeare, Dickens or any other classic authors at my old-fashioned Grammar school whereas the DC have done loads of stuff at their inner-city comp!

this place looks interesting if you are in London

English Lit exam = paralysis by analysis. In my opinion.

My dd3 does a fantastic job of looking busy, but I'm not so sure she is revising.....

Apparently DD was revising all day yesterday. And there was me thinking she was just slobbing in bed all day .

Ds has done no revision and not even pretended to. He is, however, doing last minute homework ready for back to school next week.

My English O & A'levels were Measure for Measure (nope - absolute blank), Iris Murdoch's 'The Bell' (two years I'll never get back), the Great Gatsby, which I have fond memories of (who couldn't love him eh?), Chaucer (pointless) and war poetry which was probs my favourite ...

Forgot to add, DS has been very stoic in doing past papers in three sciences and maths over half term ... I'll just draw a discreet veil over the endless cries of how he has the WORST parents in year 11/absolutely noone else is having to study/why can't he have normal parents like everyone else ... etc. etc.

Found this - might help persuade your dcs ...

www.thestudentroom.co.uk/content.php?r=13887-Why-now-is-the-best-time-to-start-revising&utm_content=Why+now+is+the+best+time+to+start+revising&utm_campaign=5378034_TSR+Times+20+Feb&utm_medium=email&utm_source=The+Student+Room+Group&dm_i=1I90%2C379PU%2CHCLLQ5%2CBGRX7%2C1

Thanks gin and tonic. I've sent that link to DD.

No revision here this week as far as I can tell. Thanks for the link Ginandtonic, have forwarded it.

Take two of maths tutoring with friend's DD going on in the kitchen. It has only been 5 mins but I am vaguely optimistic, fingers crossed.

I did Macbeth, Jane Eyre and Brighton Rock for O Level I think. Also war poetry which I thought was for O level but may well have been A level.

Phew, that makes me feel better Fairenuff and SugarPlum!
Fingers crossed the tutoring goes well.

Only 11 weeks to go

La la la, I can't hear you BTM, there is still ages....

That session went very well (I was listening from other room.) DD was saying that those struggling with Maths are to get an extra 4 lessons per fortnight which I was pleased to hear.

With the glass against the wall, SugarPlum?

Bizarrely DS is currently revising for his Y9 exams. Most unlike him. They are next week!

DD says they are having one of those Mocks results ceremonies next week. Gulp.

DS has mock interview tomorrow! he claims to have no more information than wear your own clothes and who he's being interviewed by. Anyone else done this or have any tips. He's being interviewed by the local uni but not for a course as such. I've never heard of this but when you Google it seems quite common. He has picked sensible clothes for the interview but I've had to nag him to have a shave, he says he doesn't need one and beards are cool !

Thanks gin for the link to the student room I've stuck it on his fb page and he's tagged a load of mates so helpfully they'll all stop playing civ and do some revision but I'm not holding my breath.

No class necessary BTM, they could be heard all over the house

I think my friend's DD did something similar on the interview front Auntpetunia. No tips I'm afraid but her interview skills must be superb as she lands keeps landing very impressive placements. Fingers crossed your DS finds it helpful.

DD is facing 4 hours of Maths tomorrow plus an hour after school. Fingers crossed it helps.think I might need to plan a nice tea as she is bound to come home in a very shitty mood.

SugarPlum, that sounds heavy going.
DD is moaning because her maths tutor has told her that she needs to do a paper a week (and then he will go through the questions with her)

First mocks tomorrow for mine, geog and biology. Pens etc stowed in placcy bag - I really must find her a clear pencil case before the real exams.