GCSE 2018 no. 6: stress, struggles and success (hopefully) *Title Edited by MNHQ*

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New thread for GCSEs 2018

I've seen lots of prom photos this evening too Ellen - relatives and friends in different parts of the country. It does seem early, I'm not sure how I'd feel about it being before exams. Better as an after exam celebration I think.
DD2 doesn't get one at all so we're hosting an end of exams party at home. It won't be quite as glamorous as a prom but I feel it's important to mark the occasion somehow. I just hope we don't get the whole cohort (500+) turning up!

I seem to remember our leaving do was just after Easter.

No study leave here until 11 June! Everyone is expected to attend normal lessons until all exams in that subject are completed. Then the classroom will be available for private study during that period. They have been told that they must all come into school everyday until w/c 11 June. Only then can they stay at home between exams.

They were finally given their exam timetables today. DD'S has been issued in her unofficial (significantly different) name, whereas others have theirs in their proper names. Something else to fret over this weekend.

DS3's school only moved it to after the exams last year. Much better in my opinion. The only problem being that the end date varies depending on which subjects you do, so some want to go on holiday straight away to get cheaper prices.

All schools around here have a school organised prom, very different to my day, when the last day of school was only marked by kids swearing at the teachers and setting the fire alarms off. Not even kidding.

Study leave starts after half term for DS3.

Chase up the name issue, stickerrocks. What's on the timetable is what's on the certificates usually.

stickerrocks I would contact the school exams officer on Monday.

We have study leave after half term. The other local secondary has none at all. But they are quite well known for being a bit of an exam factory and not leaving anything to chance.

Yet another email was fired off earlier. I originally reminded them by email in January, when they assured me they would use her proper name. We had the same issue on a school trip when she rang me from air side to say her boarding pass was in the wrong name.

Wow Stick you'd think they'd have her official name on official lists for paperwork etc. That's worrying, good job you spotted it!

DD has study leave from 18th May, so just one week of exams then she's off.

She was feeling overwhelmed again this evening. A friend had invited her to go to a special event on Sunday and she was trying to figure out if she could afford to lose most of the day's revision. The answer was no. Difficult decision for her, and she was upset, but I'm so proud of her for thinking it through so carefully.
She really has surprised me with how conscientiously she's working for these exams. Of my 2 DDs she's always been the more sociable, party loving one, so I was always worried about whether she'd be able to manage her distractions, but here she is making huge social sacrifices for revision!

Stickerrocks - Don't panic - we have (DD and I) two exam timetables - DD has the official one in her real name - I have the unofficial timetable in my surname ...although that does NOT mean everything is OK!

I admire your DD Hesmylobster...she's showing real maturity...I'm not sure my DD is at that stage...although she actually shows a different sort of maturity although I can't quite quantify it BUT at the same time I know she will be more than OK if that makes sense.

CIE history and geography next week and then CIE English Language on 9 and 11th.

The first 'big week' begins on the 14th with Latin, Biology, History, Chemistry and Latin.

Feels like the calm before the storm this weekend. Once we get to Wednesday we'll be on a roll for the next 8 weeks. I think my main contribution will be ensuring we have sufficient carbohydrates in the house!

Mine too, sandybayley, except it's Pringles.

sandybayley are you sure the second Cambridge History paper is w/c 14 May? It's 21st May on DS's timetable. Which may, of course, be wrong!
Kingscote is your DS doing Edexcel Maths, and if so is it the iGCSE or the GCSE? Both will be graded 9-1 this year and I'm confused as to how the grade boundaries will compare. I know that in previous years it's been around 80% for an A* on the iGCSE but not clear on whether that will be the 8 boundary now, with a 9 being more like 90%. The boundary for a 9 was around 79% on the GCSE last year I think. Have you been given any info?

My DD is sitting the Edexcel Maths 9-1 Cherryburn - my understanding is that it's NOT as difficult as the GCSE 9-1 (Maths teacher who taught the new GCSE last year who is now teaching the new IGCSE this year). Therefore the assumption is that the grade boundaries will probably be higher than the GCSE was last year.

Will be glad when Monday is over (French Oral), DD has a 90-minute session with French tutor tomorrow.

Those starting igcse s net week have a long old slog. Exams spread out with more ime in between for revision but a tiring long 8 weeks - swings and roundabouts as to which is preferable I suppose.

Bonne chance to all those dc preparing for orals next week. I think my ds felt slightly better about the whole exam nightmare after the oral as he realised life will continue afterwards whatever happens!

The CIE igce's start very early and (for my ds at least) are pretty full on up until half term especially if they're doing triple science. The results are released on 11th August so I guess they need the bulk out of the way asap to get them marked.

I agree that this weekend feels like the calm before the storm....as though the tsunami is on the horizon. Ds still hasn't thought about what to wear for the prom so that could at least provide a distraction!

DD still does not have shoes for Prom (although we do have a pair of shoes that would be OK)..

I've just bought some tickets for The Play That Goes Wrong for the 15th June (she has one exam after this date DT on the 19th), but I thought it would be a nice treat to go into London and chill!

Thanks Teenmum, that's helpful.
Yes it is going to be a long slog Oratory. Unfortunately lots of DS's papers are still bunched in two weeks though (w/c 14th and particularly w/c 21st)
I remember with DD it was sustaining the pace/motivation that was the biggest problem. Half-term kind of breaks the momentum (but is very welcome when it comes around!)

Play that goes wrong is great fun - perfect for post exam tonic

Hope everyone is well, and good luck to all with speaking exams/written exams next week!

Got a poorly DS here so I think revision is off the cards for today. He's got a bad tummy and is laid in bed watching films and feeling very sorry for himself.

Dd is still not well so no dance or maths revision session for her today.

Hope all the DC's who are poorly, get well soon ...DD still fast asleep!

Whats Now if you were being sneaky you would turn on the subtitles if your DS is doing any MFL & hope some of it sinks in!

Teen It is so tempting to storm into school on Monday morning to say "It's not difficult!" They send every letter telling us how wonderful DD is out in her formal name. Think along the lines of Lottie & Charlotte or Jim and James. Her birth certificate & passport don't contain a name as way out as Moon Unit or spelt in such a unique way as Feebee that the staff have decided to enter her for her exams in the wrong name to save her from a life of ridicule during university applications! (Gosh, I feel so much better for having hot that off my chest!)

DD is off to work this morning, but they may send her home this afternoon if they are quiet. She's armed with Spanish revision cards. I think she should converse with every customer in Spanish - that is bound to cover at least one of the potential themes.

www.schuh.co.uk/womens/schuh-jitterbug-black-low-heels/1229057060/
Hope this comes through as the link to prom shoes. Now a complete bargain.

Whatsforteaa oh no! Hope he feels better soon.
Well, DS didn't get final picture done last night, so that's what he's doing this morning. He has to go and take his photographs this afternoon and then do something interesting with them tomorrow!
I'm tutoring all afternoon so DH is taking charge of the photography.

Literature paper 2 (AQA) - couple of tips: section A is the modern text and there's no extract. There is a choice between 2 questions, so if you know the themes and how the characters develop you are going to be able to answer at least one of them! Context is important but integrate into the answer - don't just add it in at the end. Try to relate form and structure to showing how the writer is communicating their ideas but this can be quite brief.

Section B Anthology - one poem is given and you compare it with another from the anthology so the chart in the CGP book helps! Learn poems in pairs. Think about main points of contrast and similarity including form and third/first person as well as language. You must know something about poems you don't like just in case they're on the paper!

Unseen poetry - 2 poems. Most marks are for analysing the first poem so spend most time on it and check focus.
Read the title and last lines very carefully for overall message! First paragraph of answer is simple explanation of the meaning of the poem. Mention the form it's written in (sonnet, dramatic monologue, ballad or free verse) and how that suits the poem's meaning. Always comment on structure - different verses mean the focus is slightly different in each verse so you can comment on how it's developing the idea.
Annotate the poem to identify type of narration and any interesting language.
Keep quotes short and make sure focus is on poet using language to convey ideas/feelings - a personal response is important.
Second question is the comparison - don't spend long on this. The question tells you the connection between the poems so you can work from there. Three similarities/differences and comment on why the poets are doing things differently.
Plan each answer and read questions very carefully! And check answers to avoid any careless errors.

Cherrybun sorry - you're right. DS1 has CIE Latin on 14/05 and CIE history on 16/05 and 21/05 (plus 02/05).

At least it's over quite early - hope he can release some of the many facts and make some space for the sciences!