Year 11 GCSE Exam Support Thread 2

[HSMMaCM]

New thread ..... (DD not sure about the prom dress she has bought!!!!)

They don't do it at DD's either. TBH I think they expect most of the pupils to have at least 2 years of sixth form followed by university before they need to worry themselves about 'working life'. Most of it sounds like it's a good idea - I wish I'd had a bit of a clue about interview technique!

Absolutely steaming here.
Dd was sobbing last night over her ICT exam, and not having covered the course work or done a mock paper.
Just received email from school with 6 days to go until exam, that it will now be optional!

Whaat? Sounds like they totally cocked up and somehow only just noticed. I guess it's good that they've decided it's optional but your poor DD having to go through that stress.

dingit How on earth can this have happened?

OMG dingit, that's terrible Your poor DD. And all the others. My DD would be beside herself too - what a waste of all those lessons and effort

Am I crazy?

I'm seriously considering sewing up DD's blazer pockets for exams so she can't accidentally take last minute revision cards etc in with her.

We've already agreed that phone will be staying at home. The risk of her turning it on and leaving it in her bag and it ringing is tiny, but the consequence would be enormous.

But you're not allowed to take bags into the exams - where would it be ringing? DD keeps hers permanently on silent+vibrate

I think at DD's school they might leave bags at the back of the hall. That is what they did for mocks.

Silent and vibrate is all very well, but if found on you or if it rings anywhere in the room you fail the whole GCSE.

I wonder if they have an announcement before the start of each exam, like in cinemas and theatres? DD's uniform has a jumper rather than a blazer, and her skirt pocket just fits her bus pass, dinner card and maybe a tissue, not much room for accidental baggage. I'd not thought about where they leave their bags - they do have lockers but not sure if big enough for the bag as well as whatever else is in there.

I invigilated last year (and will this year) in GCSE, AS, A2 exams, and the exam bards rules are clear - no bags in the room. The No phones in the room.
Really, don't risk it. Exam centres can be checked at any time, and they lose their centre status if they break the rules, so schools are normally rigorous about this. The best schools I have been in insist on these conditions in exams from year 7, so pupils are used to them.
Re the presents - all the research (and parental wisdom ) is reward the effort, not the outcome. So reward immediately after the exams, before the results.
So definitely not reward by grade - utterly pointless and unfair.

ErrolTheDragon
The invigilator has a script to read out which covers all of that, (including what to do if there is a fire )and the DC have time to hand over anything they think may be an issue.
Make sure they have two (at least) BLACK pens, in a see through pencil case (£1 in Asda), no notes anywhere, and if they are in doubt about anything , raise hand and ask invigilator.
Golden rule 1 is do not speak for any reason unless to invigilator - if they do that they are covered as invigilator will patiently come and answer any questions for them.
Golden rule 2 - go to the toilet before the exam, even if you think you do not need to.

Sound advice (and may I say I love your NN! ).

DS has just come home with this list of dos and don'ts, then tells me most of them don't apply to him as he has a scribe so obviously talks and also obviously couldNT cheat as scribe would know. That lad has all the answers! But I do think the sheets a good idea.

Useful info, thanks MrsU and AuntP!

Just picked DD up from school tired and worrying. Complaining that one of her best friends is revising too much and making her worry that she isn't working hard enough Seems somewhat better now she has eaten and chatted with us, but I foresee a very rocky ride ahead.

Useful info, thank you both. DD claims no one is working much but don't fully believe that.

DS has activities next week in the afternoons after SATs in the morning. It is good but I now have things like Rocky Road ingredients to worry about!

Whilst packing for drama exam tomorrow, DD announced that the guinea pigs are to be named Molly and Lola.

We have been to the supermarket and bought a massive pile of snacks to keep her going from 8am in the morning.

I've been presented with a list of favourite fruits to 'get her through the exams'- strawberries, raspberries, peaches, nectarines.... At least they are healthy

dingit - your poor dd!

She isn't too worried about the working life exam. Half of the school intake leave at 16 so I guess it makes sense for them to take it now.

Oh great DS just literally announced that he's got his drama piece tomorrow, but it's fine he knows it ....why couldn't he give me longer to panic? Don't think he needs anything for it, hope not as everywhere is now shut. He is gonna drive me to distraction with his laid back attitude. Only sign he's planning ahead apparently he's going to get up at 5.30 to revise each morning Instead of the 6.15 he has been doing. (told him not to wake me up that early. ) [caring mum emoji needed]

It gets worse, turns out dd has done her course work, but her confidence has been shot to pieces, and now is refusing to sit exam. What a waste!

Oh dingit :(

DD needs her clear strap body to wear under her costume tomorrow and has lost all three clear back straps ! Too late now.

Oh so sorry to hear your bad news dingit. It is the pits.

Had a near meltdown this morning when dd couldn't find her watch (as she wants it for the exams). Found it down the back of the sofa this evening after an hour of searching. May and June are the longest months....

Dingit - I think we sometimes forget in the febrile atmosphere of exams and grades that the purpose of school is to learn. Your dd will have learned something by doing her ict coursework so it isn't a complete waste.

Good luck to everyone with exams today. DD has headed off to drama with a bag full of snacks, a glum face and a bag we gave her yesterday which says 'now panic and freak out'.

Oh dingit, poor thing

HSM, like the sound of the bag!

Littleham, am liking the idea of favourite fruits - I will get some in for DD, although she generally eats very little before exams as she is so nervous.

Five and a half weeks till it's all over.

Thanks everyone. Errol that's what we said. It's only half a GCSE and I don't think her new sixth form will count it anyway.

Good luck to all the dc with exams today.