Year 11 GCSE exam support thread 3 - the exam weeks

[HSMMaCM]

New thread for those of us starting the exams.

Keep calm everyone.

DD did a speaking CA for her IGCSE Eng Lit, but there was a LOT of confusion about whether it counted or not. I think it was 10%. I don't think there were any others. But she does 2 papers for her IGCSE Eng Lit.

Yes, Errol, there was course work involved. Apparently he got A*s for those which should help drag up his appalling exam grade (we are both realistic about his abilities!!)

Just one English Lit paper. I keep checking as it just doesn't seem right.

Doobydoo that is DD's diagnosis too.

Not a good day. DD went in to school but didn't finish her exam. She vomited half a dozen times and ended up back in hospital where they did her MRI (clear) and have discharged her with lots of appointments for later in the week. Another LP could be on the cards at the end of the week. She's back home now resting up before attempting Geography tomorrow. She is taking it one day at a time.

Well done to everyone sitting the exams today. I don't think I stressed this much with my own or DD1 I love your DS's attitude Lynette

Oh woolly . I do hope the school is telling all the relevant people about the hardships your Dd is facing. She's being a star even trying any of it.

DD's RE was "interesting" at least she knew what "apathy" meant which at least half her friends didn't.

I'm told that the Eng. Lit. and RE papers were good and that they enjoyed doing them. Strange child!

There are two English iGCSE papers the first of which my sons did today, as far as I am aware.

One said to me today that we have a love of poetry in common and then said he'd never have to look at another poem again so I suspect he and I won't now be enjoying 30 years of appreciating poems together.

(Dizzy, my sons prefer exam weeks to lessons which I agree is pretty weird but probably because they are quite laid back about it or choose to give the appearance of that).

Hope she gets some rest Woolly, what will happen about her exam paper, do you know?

Soupy, DD says hers is Edexel IGCSE Eng Lit. There is another on Friday

Woolly So sorry about everything your dd is going through. I seem to remember that when students are unable to take the exam they are allowed to base the grade on the mocks (this might be wrong, but it is worth asking).

Hope she feels better tonight.

Oh Woolly, your poor DD. And you. Her health comes first, GCSE's can be sorted somehow if necessary.

As long as she does 50% of the exam/coursework they will base her grade on the submitted info. There is another paper on Friday so we are hopeful that she'll have done enough if she sits that. School are being absolutely fantastic and are giving her whatever help they can. Her health is paramount though.

Soupy, DD says hers is Edexel IGCSE Eng Lit. There is another on Friday

And yet DS1 doesn't have aother on Friday. I am also confused! He had "English literature Option B - 04 ET 01: Drama and Prose" today, 1 h 45 minutes. He has a single English Language paper next Tuesday morning but no more literature.

I have no idea what he is doing, it's all so complicated!!

Hugs to you and your DD Woolly, I'm glad the school are being supportive.

DD came home very perky today saying English Lit was "great", she did a paper on An Inspector Calls and Of Mice and Men. English is her best subject but she said the questions were pretty tough.

DS1 did the English Exam today AQA IGCSE and his play was Journeys End.

Soup I get confused too! DD has another English Lit paper Friday and is doing AQA board. Apparently today's paper was Unit 1H

Bloody hell Woolley your poor DD this isn't good timing is It. Am glad school are being supportive, any chance of a letter from the hospital to go with her notes?

I am clinging to the fact that I am looking at a computer print of the official timetable and the emailed version of that timetable and the fact that DS is confident that there is a single paper.

I hope your DD is OK, Woolly.

Oh no Wooly, that's not good. I hope they find out what's wrong soon. Maybe she should just rest and not attempt more papers?
What would happen then?

Sounds grim.

Soupy - could your DS have done coursework as his second paper? I think this is the route that ds's school takes.

I think you are correct SoupDragon.

"The International GCSE in English Literature comprises two assessment routes.
? Route one — 100% written examination paper (Paper 1 and Paper 2).
? Route two — 60% written examination paper and 40% internally assessed coursework
(Paper 1 and Paper 3)."

It sounds like he is doing route 2.

exam specification on edexcel website

Doh, read back and I see he has. Then there is just one Lit paper. It's over. Coursework worth 40%.

Soup - DS is also doing Edexcel igcse. He did 2 papers back-to-back today and on Friday has a 45 mins exam called Drama (Open Text). His school has studied The Tempest for this exam, but other schools may have done different plays. Has your DS not studied a play? Perhaps he doesn't need to do this paper if his school has done a controlled assessment...? It's complicated, isn't it!

Woolly - So sorry your DD is still feeling ill. Very glad her school is being supportive at least and it sounds like they are on the ball re getting her the adjustments she deserves. She is a star coping with all this.