Year 11 GCSE support thread 6 - exams and proms

[HSMMaCM]

Good luck to those still taking exams.

It is confusing about AS levels. I think dd said that her school will still make them do them even if they have to be examined on the whole course for A2, but that some subjects still are examined in two halves (I thought she said the maths/FM were but I or she could be wrong).

She's starting with four and I hope she carries them all on to A2 as if she did drop one after AS it'd probably be computing, and I think that maths, FM and physics is too narrow a set. I don't remember double maths, physics and chemistry being an excessive amount of work though we didn't do all the other stuff they seem to now - 'enrichment' (epq) or DofE etc)

Errol I've just reread the A level changes.Yes you're right the Maths changes are not being rolled out for a couple of years whereas the Sciences are changing from Sept 2015 to linear courses.As levels do not contribute to the A level result but are stand alone qualifications but can be taught concurrently on some subjects.Its all such a puzzle at the moment.I guess this means DD can do the first year of further Maths only,if she wishes which gives her more options.
DD is very thrilled to be able to ditch the essay writing for ever.How come all my kids love Maths and dispise writing,when that was the only thing I was any good at.They obviously havn't inherited my genes then.

Well induction at the sixth form DS was considering didn't go well yesterday....DS decided not to go! Oh well, he seems all set to leave for induction at the school he's been very happy at for the past 5 years this morning. But we'll see...the weathers lovely and he and his friends may well get distracted on the way....

DS is doing his work experience the this week. He's at a local swimming pool. Not said much about it.

With the A Level and AS stuff the other change that seems to have come in under the radar is related to UCAS points. Presently an AS is worth 50% of the points the same grade A Level attracts, from 2017 (so our lot) it will become worth 40%. I can't see many cases when it would make any difference but it is worth being aware of.

I'm hoping my ds carries on the (same as your dd) four A Levels too Errol. As you say the maths ones are the present style so hopefully that will take a bit of the pressure off after the first year and I think there is enough overlap between the four that it should bring the total workload down compared to doing four very different subjects.

Does that mean he has ruled out going to that SF Lynette? Or was the induction optional?

Hope he goes this morning, Lynette.

Promzilla here - we had a few words last night about the cost of hair/make-up, etc. I have decided to give her a lump sum and it's up to her how she spends it. She still hasn't tried on the altered dress, and I will have to try and shorten it without her having any shoes yet. I foresee yet more promzilla'ing

Does anyone have a full list of which subjects have two exams that count (AS and A2) and which ones they will have to take in one horrendous meltdown scenario sitting in 2017?

Shame about the sixth form Lynette but at least he knows now.

canny - two of my dc's are the same. Take after DH.

My understanding is that all subjects except Maths and Further Maths are changing to the new exam system with AS decoupled from the A2 but some subjects are having a new syllabus in addition to this. The timetable for the syllabus changes for AQA is here www.aqa.org.uk/supporting-education/policy/gcse-and-a-level-changes/structure-of-new-a-levels.
Hope this helps.

Clocking in here again!

Exams finished and a week of work experience done. She even did the ironing yesterday! Parties and sleepovers galore too :)

No prom - phew!

She's expected to take 4 A levels all the way through. Having 2 elder kids I thought I understood this but Argh they change it.

Careers advice is pants isn't it, especially for academically capable kids? I still don't know if really, what unis wants is the same as always- 3 brilliant grades not 4 pretty good ones... She choosing subjects with a big work load too, and I assume big terminal exams- eng math and history, with music as her " soft option" 4th * it's only soft as she is v musical and the oractical stuff is easy for her.

It's being phased in catslife. Full list here littleham:

A Level decoupling timetable

Thanks titchy. You are a wonder.

Slight brain cell overload. Am I right in my interpretation that Maths, German and Music will all be under the old system for dd (going into sixth form in September), whereas Physics will be one great big mind blowing terminal exam?

Yes,it looks like that - same for Chemistry and Biology.Presumably as the Maths change is only being introduced in 2017 this will stay exactly the same.How will schools work this?Some schools break up early after As levels don't they?( eldest child so no experience of this).

That is a point canny. DD might have to go in for the whole summer term in the AS year as she is doing Maths. Or it could be annoying odd lessons scattered through the school week & trailing round like a lost soul in between.

(I may be wrong about German and Music as it is in that intermediate box. Confusing.)

Wow, I feel like a MN expert now - thanks for the lists titchy
Seems like first year of Geography and Maths will give an AS and also count towards A level - so as now
But Biology and Art will be under the new system so whatever is achieved at end of Y12 will be stand alone (with an AS) with Y13 being a fresh start with a massive exam at the end to try to put a relatively positive spin on things!
That may not be too bad here as dd may drop Art after AS and Biology is one of her stronger subjects.

They've moved the goalposts again (why am I not surprised).
Am lurking on this thread as Y10 dd has only done one GCSE this year and will be choosing A level subjects and visiting sixth forms soon so will also find the list very useful. Thanks Titchy!

I've decided to take an A level in 'understanding A levels and AS levels' and a GCSE (or is that o level?) in 'who the bloody hell understands the new O levels and points system', and will top it off with a ''who the fuck put Gove in charge, and bring him here so I can slap him' BTEC (it's a bit more vocational, that one)

Love it Ash

Are O levels coming back then?
I did here something about grading 1 - 9 instead of A - G

Surely just to confuse me between DC1 and DC2 - no unfair advantage that way!

Well, DS made it to the 6th form induction today....apparently they just sat in rooms and the teachers talked to them about the subjects. I'm not sure what he was expecting.

It was incredibly hot today. Apparently the bus journey home was hellish, but he seems set to go back tomorrow, although they'll still let him in if he doesn't.

I'm secretly very pleased he didn't go to the other school yesterday. It really wouldn't have suited him, but I thought he needed to go for the induction to realise that. The place is withdrawn if induction isn't attended, apparently. does secret happy dance

Thank you for the links re; A'levels, they're very useful.

hear not here BTW
ffs!

I don't quite understand with the AS /A2 how they actually have time to learn enough if they do mocks for each of those as well.... with GCSEs it seemed like and awful lot of year 11 was spent on revision and the exams themselves. The old way (just terminal exams) seemed fine TBH.

Ding ding. Marking my space again.

So, DS had his last exam while I was away for work. All fine. He then went straight into 4 days of 6th form induction at a different school, which he enjoyed and found far more useful than he thought he would, so that's all good.

He had his leavers' assembly yesterday and a final summer concert.

Another 6th form induction tomorrow, prom on Friday and that's it until results!

Oh we got a prom suit. Let me do a photo.

DS1 in his prom suit

That is great news Lynette, and at least his current school understand his needs.

That all sounds great tbtc. Lovely suit! :)

My ds is organising his Lego, I like that he is still young in some ways, even while being so grown up in others.