GCSE 2018 (7) [wine][wine][wine][wine]

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A new thread to take us through the exams
Link to old thread

Please don't mention what was on paper in case it us leaked to some who have not sat exam yet.

Bluebelle have you ever watched the exam hall episode of the Inbetweeners? Probably best not too until DS's medication has "run" it's course! He has my greatest sympathy.

No chance of any leaks here, all I know that DD did “alright” she had Music and RS

French and Biology tomorrow

Shouldn't be a problem, Sost as they are kept isolated.

DS3 was happy with CS (OCR.) One question was a bit iffy but it seemed easier than the mock and he had time to check his answers. Seems similar to the rest of you but I guess there are a few different boards among us.

Bit of Tassomai, bit of biology and chemistry revision tonight.

So glad the first one is done. No more anticipating the unknown that was a 'real GCSE' rather than just a mock. Hopefully settled a few nerves. Onwards to biology for DS3.

DS2 felt that both exams went well. There was a ten minute break in between, in which he had the opportunity to go to the loo (accompanied by an invigilator) but didn't need to, so just stayed in his seat in the exam room.

He said the worst part was finishing each exam half an hour early (even after checking and rechecking his work). A part of me worries that perhaps he missed something out, but he insists he read through every page to check.

I'm feeling a bit calmer today, I think it feels easier now that he has actually started.

Re: exam clashes
DS2 started his Latin (Eduqas) 1h 40m later than most people. During that 1h 40m he was either sitting his Computer Science exam or sitting at his desk in the exam room, supervised by an invigilator, with no access to a phone or the internet.

DS said Catholic paper 1 RS was ok; only a couple of things that he didn't know. Had plenty of time to go back through and find typos so that he can pick up the spag marks.

Overall it was not as bad as he feared.

One downside - he was seated next to a wall in the exam hall. On the other side of the wall is the photocopier room, so the photocopier is approx 6 inches from his ear with an uninsulated stud wall in between. He said it was distracting.

RE part one done, she has 2 more RE papers but was happy with today's and it's 50% of her grade (AQA but I don't understand why everyone seems to have a different number of papers). She is feeling better now, but may well have another wobble later, it seems to be when she knows she has to go to bed and has run out of time.

French listening and reading in the morning then Biology in the afternoon. She's worked so hard and deserves to do well, but so much is beyond our control.

Found out from dd (now back) that RS was OK.

She did get the wrong time! And was a bit embarrassed to tell me.

She's now chatting on social media instead of revising Biology. Has been for about an hour...

Sounds like exams today have gone well on the whole. DS says his RS exam was 'pretty good'. He's not back yet so no further detail.

I know there's been discussion on here about good pens for problem writers but I can't find it. DS's exam was just over 3 hours today when his extra time was added and he said his hand was absolutely killing him. He's right-handed but writes 'over the top' if you see what I mean. I know an aching hand is inevitable in non-stop writing exams, but any tips for other pens to try? I was wondering about a Stabilo Easy?

Hello all, been lurking for a while.
DD had Latin and RS today. Both went okay for her thankfully.
Some of her friends were upset coming out of RS - OCR board tricky 12 mark question on the sermon on the mount caught them out.

Cherryburn DS2 uses a stabilo easy

DS also says RS was ‘fine’ and that he wrote an ‘interesting’ answer on church architecture! It’s his grandfather’s specialist subject so I guess all those wanders around cathedrals etc were worth it! He also managed to squeeze in his ‘Train up a child the way it should go’ quote.

French Listening, French Writing, lunch in isolation and Biology tomorrow.

Thanks Second. Will get one tomorrow.

How are you feeling today?

Hello Somerville (always think you should be ‘Shrewsbury’)

Cherryburn thank you for remembering.
I'm feeling a bit better now that the exams have started and he has done a couple of them. I think the 24 hours before the first ones start is hard.

Impossible girl - there are two specifications

Spec A has 3 papers. It’s designed so pupils can study 1 religion in greater depth (catholic schools often choose this spec.) Paper 1 is worth 50% then papers 2 & 3 25% each.

Spec B has two papers each worth 50%. But there are 3 units in total to choose 2 from.

I'm confused. DD is doing AQA spec A. She did Christianity and Judaism today then the Philosophy bit is on Wednesday...worth 50% each?

DS said it all went quite well, actually. He won’t say more as he’s deep in biology revision!

DD is the 3 paper spec, 50% today and then 2 shorter papers (Christianity and Judaism). I asked her which spec it was and got 'no clue mate' as a reply.
:)

DD says the WJEC ICT unit1 exam was hard this morning. There were questioning in it her year hadn't been taught.
More frustrating is that, despite a long and involved meeting with the SENCo team and head of year after the mock a few weeks abow, DD's agreed access arrangements seem to have been ignored; she was meant to be prompted about time remaining every 30 minutes, at which point she was supposed to be given a movement break (she has ADHD), but it didn't happen. sigh

Jufus - Ds doing edexcel but prob similar ratios. ie. 50/25/25

Second glad to hear you're feeling a bit better. It definitely gets easier as it goes on.

Soften, nothing should get out re exam questions. Exam boards sort it so that can't happen.

Sorry should have said Sosten (bloody autocorrect!)