Year 11 GCSE exam support thread 3 - the exam weeks

[HSMMaCM]

New thread for those of us starting the exams.

Keep calm everyone.

We are having pizza to celebrate the end of the first week.

It is entirely unconnected to the fact that it has been pissing down with rain and I couldn't be arsed to go to buy something for dinner.

Think we've been neglecting ds a bit too gin, or at least not really taking on board that he has exams too. He told me that he got a 5c for a history test/exam (He's Y8) and most of his friends did better. Just as well he gave me some context as have absolutely no clue otherwise what a 5c at end of Y8 might mean. tbf he also said that he got a 5b last time and reminded me that a 5b is better than a 5c (I can never remember which way it goes) and "no-one goes down Mum" Aww, I'm sure it happens sometimes. Perhaps beginnings of an indication that history might not be his best option subject though. He wants to do art and music as options and will have one left - looking like geography I should think? But he doesn't choose til towards the end of next year even if I've been considering options and strengths/damage limitation! since Y7
Teachers always seem to think you'll know what a 4a or 6c means at parents eve don't they?
I never have any idea - and I've worked in schools myself
I think everyone just smiles and nods and looks interested/concerned as seems appropriate

I wouldn't worry Juggling. I'm a history teacher and it's completely normal for results to go up and down as they will be working with different skills and concept in different assessments. In my school next year we are doing away with levels entirely. It's going to take some getting used to for the kids as we have made them all so level-obsessed.

Thanks Fuzzy, that's reassuring to know
Interesting that you're doing away with levels entirely at your school.
My feeling on them has always been that they're much more helpful for older children than younger ones (I usually work in early years and feel there needs to be room for play and exploration at that stage) But think it's been good for dd in last few years to take on board something of what is required to achieve each level, maybe have some target grades - up to a point.
Was all much vaguer when I did my O levels. I was lucky if I knew what we were meant to have covered and maybe had opp to do one practice paper in the mocks - if I remember correctly - which may not be the case after 30 yrs or so!
Anyway these are my excuses as to why dd may do better than I did (if things go roughly as hoped)
I've told her there's been grade inflation by one whole grade over a generation due to a variety of factors (which may include being brighter and having a better memory than her mother )
So that's her challenge - which she accepted the other night!

Am also a bit worried about younger ds for different reason. DS (year 9) did PE today and said that the smokers gathered at the edge of sports pitch and tried to set light to their PE shorts. Succeeded with one boy! He doesn't want me to report it.

Another one here who thought the chemistry was an easy exam. He has spanish tomorrow which, at two and a quarter hours is one of his longest ones. Will be glad to get that one out of the way.

I guess the grade boundaries will be quite high. DD liked C2 better than C3.

I think ds has done a different chemistry to most, his was C1, 2 and C3 with C4, C5 and C6 in another exam and C7 in the last exam, his is OCR 21st Century. I think it is quite applied, I'm not sure it is the exam I would have chosen but ds seems to have got on okay.

DD's Chemistry exam board was AQA.

Chemistry went well here too today. DS1 did however choose tonight to tell me that he bolloxed-up his chemistry controlled assessment. Oh well! Bit late to do anything about that. He's not planning on taking Chemistry A-level.

Nothing tomorrow. English Lit (modern) on Monday which is definitely his worst subject. He also has to go in on Saturday for 3 hours of Science revision.

I am also badly neglecting DS2.

Just thinking how sophisticated everyone is these days

• I'm sure when I did them we were just pleased to get an easy exam where we could answer most of the questions.

Now it's all, ooh the grade boundary will be high on that one - even from the DC

DH made a curry for tea and dd actually sat and ate with us for the first time this week. She is now in her room texting fridge requests .

Oldest dd will be fine. Bristol University seems to have it sorted.

bristol.ac.uk/news/2015/may/puppy-room.html

Well ds had 2 chemistry exams. He gets bus at 7.40 got to school at 9.10 exam started at 9.00! Roadworks and lorry spilling fruit. I had phoned school at 8.45 to alert them. Chemistry he was worried about as had a few different teachers. Wish exams started at 9.30 really to give them a chance to get there in good time. He and friend werent the latest some arrived 9.30. Despite it all he seems fairly relaxed!

Ahh, that's nice Littleham
A real win-win project working together with Guide Dogs too

Dooby doo. DD's chemistry started at 0930. Most of them do. Apart from a couple of random 9am starts. The afternoon ones start at 1:30 and that means she generally misses the bus home.

Love the puppy room idea.

Morning exams are 8.45am here but the normal school day is 8.30-2.45.

Checking in because I don't think I've posted on this new thread yet.....DS1 had a bit of a melt down this morning because he couldn't find his bus pass. So many doors were slammed there is now a bit crack on the landing - and I heard plaster falling, but not exactly sure where....presumably behind the wall paper. He didn't believe me that he could get on the bus without the pass, as the driver would, y'know recognise him!
Luckily he didn't have an exam this morning, but I've learned that everything needs to be checked for the night before just in case.

He's also lost his exam pencil case, complete with all the lovely new pens I'd bought him. All a bit odd, as this is the boy that has only lost one trainer, the whole time he's been at secondary school.

He asked to have a friend to sleepover on Saturday. I said yes, as this particular friend loves his sleep, and is snoring by 9pm....this has now become can X and X sleep over too? He has a Monday morning English Lit exam...what do you all think?

I am driving DS because I don't trust the bus. If the exams only an hour I will hang about. Too far to drive home.

I would drive DS if I didn't have to be at work for 8.30. The bus is pretty reliable though.

DS's bus takes nearly an hour and goes for a v rural trip round the county. He was worrying as its been close to late a few times in recent weeks.

Erm, lynette, that would be a big fat no here!

Similar to my DSs bus. But it will be FINE!

The company that runs the bus now is pretty good....and they'e at school by 8.45am every day. If it was the old company (Stagecoach) I would be seriously worried.

Lynette. I'd say you can have that sleepover next weekend.