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Original poster

GCSEs 2018 (3)

999 replies

mmzz · 28/01/2018 08:40

Following on from:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/3113917-GCSEs-2018-2

OP posts:
Thread gallery
17
slinkyme · 03/02/2018 12:29

Do understand and agree. In DD School
This is the first year they are doing any exams on the 1-9 system as mostly igcses. DD has half of her subjects on 1-9 and half on letter grades and all but one exam in igcse. Some teachers also have set mock exams harder than gcse standards for it to be a stretch and so a lower grade might actually be good (than what they are used to in normal tests). But not all subjects do that. Well let's see what happens.

Sostenueto · 03/02/2018 12:44

That's all any of us can do slinkyme.

sandybayley · 03/02/2018 12:45

DS1 is also doing the FSMQ Ad maths. I have an A Level in Maths and it looks really quite hard to me. That said I think the IGCSE (edexcel) looks really hard as well.

DS1 is a selective school with 8 sets for maths. He's is set 3 and that's the cut off point to sit Ad Maths.

He's up for it though and did well in his mock. I think it will make the step up to A Level Maths easier. I remember my first term being a challenge!

It's his last exam as well - hope he won't have run out of steam by then.

TheSecondOfHerName · 03/02/2018 13:07

DS2 is doing the AQA Level 2 certificate in Further Maths.

He wants to do Maths & Further Maths A-levels. The sixth form at his school is asking for an A* in the Further Maths certificate and an 8 in Maths GCSE.

lljkk · 03/02/2018 13:19

DD seems to know her revision plan so I will go hands off. Maybe it is FSMQ & I should know if so.. is that the only type of further math GCSE there is? DD struggles to say No to challengesbit like her Ma. Ta 4 replies.

sandybayley · 03/02/2018 13:32

I think there is a FM GCSE and also the Ad Maths FSMQ.

I don't know how the two compare in difficulty though.

DS1 got a 9 in his mock but is still finding Ad maths a challenge. They finished the IGCSE course a while ago and are now focussing in the Ad Maths.

Oddsocks15 · 03/02/2018 13:45

Back from Waterstones, practice papers and another revision book bought but Mr Salles book was not in stock.

Might buy it later online from Amazon as I also need a new laundry basket, I know, so rock n roll. Grin

Oddsocks15 · 03/02/2018 13:51

Oh and DD stomped back up to her pit she calls a bedroom

slinkyme · 03/02/2018 14:11

DD too doing the FSMQ add Maths and teaching incorporated into the usual maths class.

Stickerrocks · 03/02/2018 14:12

Ouch The2nd on the grades required for maths. I had a hiccup with my O level maths when I sat it and wouldn't have hit the necessary grades, so I would have missed out on a top grade at A level and S level and the opportunity to follow my chosen route for my degree and subsequent professional qualifications. Having to get a grade 8 means that students would not be able to access accountancy apprenticeships, which require an A level in maths, where there are a huge number of post 18 vacancies for those who don't wish to go onto university.

Maladicta · 03/02/2018 14:29

Dipping a toe in...

Ds1 has just completed his mocks - he was a bit disappointed with some of his grades, particularly the sciences but it seems results as a whole were low - this is at a single-sex grammar where they usually get no one lower than a B.

His other low result was history which he know he screwed up by not following the proscribed essay structure, thats something plenty of essay practise should fix.

He's starting Tassomai today and we should get a clearer picture after his parents evening next week.

At the same time dd is preparing for her A Level mocks, oh what a Summer of fun we're in for!!!

LooseAtTheSeams · 03/02/2018 15:19

Another one doing ad maths here - it's part of the usual maths lessons and DS says it's challenging but interest. It does seem to help with the harder questions.

Stickerrocks · 03/02/2018 15:48

Hello Maladicta. Bog standard mixed comp here. My DD got a string of grade 8s and then got a 5 & 6 for biology & chemistry along with a couple of others. She knew she had spent too long watching Say Yes to the Dress on holiday in the week before her mocks and it gave her the kick up the backside she needed for those subjects. She's raised her grades since, so hopefully she'll keep going for the next few months. I'm sure your D'S can do the same if he knows his grades didn't do him j7stice.

AlexanderHamilton · 03/02/2018 15:55

It appears that all the triple scientists have done badly in all sciences. Dd's 7 in Biology is an anomoly. She knew there was a problem due to the teacher who retired last year not covering what he was supposed to & basically taught herself the syllabus. Many st others only got a 4 & lots of U's so the problem isn't just physics.

lljkk · 03/02/2018 16:44

I get superduper Mum brownie points. I just wrote out a timetable for DD to cover all the material in her FM textbook. Worked out she has to do 15 pgs/week, but made some adjustments for other commitments, holidays, and there are a few blank pages in the book (!)

GCSEs 2018 (3)
Stickerrocks · 03/02/2018 16:47

Respect to lljkk!

TheSecondOfHerName · 03/02/2018 16:52

lljkk that's the same course DS2 is doing.

KingscoteStaff · 03/02/2018 17:28

Ooo Maladicta GCSEs and A levels at the same time - that’ll be us in 2 years’ time...

Original poster
mmzz · 03/02/2018 17:40

DS is doing that Further Maths on a GCSE enrichment course. It's supposed to be preparing him for the exam, but in total there will only have been about 24-28 hours of teaching from start to finish. (I'd need to go through the calendar to get the exact number). That's not enough, is it?
They said to ask the school of they would enter DS for the exam but I haven't , so DS is just doing it for interest.
Is there any benefit to actually having a FM GCSE versus just knowing how to do the sums?

OP posts:
TheSecondOfHerName · 03/02/2018 17:45

Maladicta I've also got one doing GCSEs and one doing A-levels this summer. I'm worried that one is working too hard and the other isn't working hard enough.

androbbob · 03/02/2018 19:09

oddsocks - do we have the same DD?! Mine has to do revision her way and will accept help on her terms only. I can do maths and physics for her but the rest is in her hands, with support from me!

sostenueto - I will look at that Mr Salles book for her in case it is of use - she has a book token from Christmas, so may be able to use that to get it!

I agree swith CeeCee - the advice on this thread is very helpful and calming to see that we are all doing similar! I don't see many parents at her school so this is great for my morale!!

The revision timetable has worked so far - we have been ticking off all that has been done this week and it highlighted the couple of subjects to look at tomorrow - psychology and history and maths. She did a French written piece this week and got graded a 7 on it, which is marvellous considering it was a U in December on mocks!

Oddsocks15 · 03/02/2018 19:27

For your sake I sincerely hope you don’t have my DD androbbob as my DD has stomped off out the house... she usually only stomps off to her pit, sorry I mean bedroom but this time it was out of the house!! She is back now having been gone an hour..

Revision is definitely on her terms only, I have no idea what/how she is getting on... Just take advantage of the rare moments that I’m let in like this morning...

Stickerrocks · 03/02/2018 19:29

I'm not allowed to help DD at all. I teach people how to pass professional exams for a living, so therefore I know nothing! That's why I like coming on here, because I can run through what's going on, get hints & tips from you & then gently nudge DD in the right direction with what I've found out.

mmzz Has DS got any further with his 6th form applications yet? Deadlines approaching!

Stickerrocks · 03/02/2018 19:30

Oops - Donotbringlulu not mmzz.

Oddsocks15 · 03/02/2018 19:34

Stickerrocks blinking frustrating isn’t it...