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

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

Jufusmum
I think it must be averaged out, because the two grades will either be the same or only one grade apart. e.g. 6,7 or 7,7 or 7,8

Kitties there's a range of involvement on here, don't worry.

DS2 is one of four - I tend to over-worry about him due to his ASD, ADHD and dyspraxia but he is actually much more organised than DS1 and has needed no support at all with his revision.

French x 2 and bIology here too. DD worked till 9:30 yesterday - she worked through a few past papers.

Tomorrow is history paper 4 - and I think the hardest history paper. DD will work on history again tonight but need to find time for her to unwind. Yesterday evening took her for a walk round the block to get some fresh air although she took her French paper with her. She definitely will burn out but like-somebody else after Thursday it will be better. She has only one pm exam on Friday so will make sure DD sleeps in then. Have managed to rearrange meetings at work so that I can work from home on Friday and be around to ensure she is resting eating etc.

I feel exhausted - can't imagine how tired she is.

Plenty of room kitties.

my involvement is strictly long distance as Dd is currently living on a caravan site with her dad to avoid a long commute to school!

Edexcel here and just checked paper 1 for the sciences are worth 2/3rds of the marks.

I think they co-ordinate to help avoid clashes because schools mix & match exam boards eg Dd is doing Edexcel English & RS but AQA maths & science.

Oh dear, my DD said she found the RS exam yesterday hard, as did most of her class, so that doesn't bode well.
Hopefully she'll find French and Biology better today.

lobster thanks

Pickwick don’t worry DS also found it hard (Oct short course Islam and Christianity). Dont worry with the range of different boards, school types and teaching experiences not to mention dc s one capabilities and preferences they are all going to have different experiences of the same subject. It is only the odd fairly rare instance where an exam is declared universally hard (edexcel maths with the famed Hannah s sweets a couple of years ago) or easy

‘Own’ capabilities

Kitties I'm not allowed to get involved unless she decides to blurt things out in the car when I'm driving, but I am expected to spoil her rotten & excuse her from all key household duties. I teach people how to pass exams for a living, so therefore my opinion and advice is not considered relevant!

Exam boards coordinate on all the core subjects to avoid clashes. It seems iGCSEs start earlier though! We should see more similarities than differences, anyway.
Kitties I forgot to remind ds about the water!

Pickwick don’t worry DS also found it hard

Thanks, glad she wasn't the only one. Hopefully it will be ok for them both. I'm not too fussed about RS (or French tbh) I just hope Maths, English and the Sciences are all ok. She only needs five to get into college but with a 8/9 in Maths

Of course - seems obvious now that you all point it out (big 'doh' for me). Coordination to avoid clashes - couldn't really be any other way I suppose

"I teach people how to pass exams for a living, so therefore my opinion and advice is not considered relevant!" - the joys of parenting a teen!

Blimey Pickwick - is the 8/9 maths requirement because she plans to do maths at A level?

Welcome @Kitties, as has been said, there’s a true mix and match of parents here and, whether we sit side by side doing their revision with them, or we simply deliver copious cups of tea and regular meals, we all have the same end goal - for our children to do as well as they can, all things considered.

Personally, I have had no choice but to closely support my DD due to severe ongoing health issues which are proving an absolute nightmare to manage right now. It’s the least I can do given her stoical approach and utter resilience throughout her schooling. That said, she’s been self studying and I’ve only become involved when requested. She’s mainly asked for my guidance on what to do, how long for and when to rest more than anything else.

If I could simply offer the water bottle and pencil case at the door, I would, because I feel that’s just as supportive and just as important. It’s all down to personal circumstances and individual needs of our DC.

So, you’re very welcome here and I’m glad your DC managed to leave with both water bottle and pencil case in their possession!

@PickwickThePlockingDodo what other A levels is your DD planning to do? Do they all require an 8/9?

No, I think it's an 8/9 because she wants to do A-level Maths & Further Maths, the other 2 are Psychology and Biology, for which she needs a more (hopefully) achievable 6.

DS1 needs to get A or A* Star in iGCSE Chemistry to do A Level (A star preferred). For Maths he needs 8 or 9 (9 preferred). Physics needs A or A* star at iGCSE. History not specified but I think it will be the same.

So very high requirements but this is a very selective school so they can set it at this level. DS was on target at mocks so I'm overly concerned.

Pickwick -DS1 school also say 9 is needed for FM.

Dd needs a 6 in all her selected A level subjects - reasonably achievable but still a pressure as something could go awry

pickwick my dgd doing maths A level biology, geography and psychology. For maths she needs a 7/8 for biology 6/7 geography 6/7 and psychology nothing required. Also they need 56 points I think it is to do 4 A levels ( from their top 8 results) and only 37 for 3 A levels plus required GCSE in subject.

Predicted grades math 8/9
Geography 9
Biology 8

I think with predicted grades even though mocks proved the predicted grades my dgd may drop a level because of stress. Even if she does she will achieve enough. Its just that damn English that she must not drop a grade in!

I think DS will very likely get the 8/9 in maths. He needs a 7 for physics though, and that's proving a challenge. Its not that he can't do it, its just knowing how to balance a guaranteed 7+ with giving as much time as possible to the other subjects (which he doesn't have to do well in but would be nice to have).

I guess everyone is in the same boat with trying to balance doing as well as possible in their A level subjects with trying to get the best they can out of the other subjects too.

DD needs 5 at grade 4 or above inc maths & English, a 7 to do maths, a minimum 5 to do history and nothing for politics. It's the joy of the South Coast enormous college system - they have to accept everyone regardless. If you don't get 5 GCSEs, you simply go to a tech & do more vocational qualifications. Her two choices of college each have an intake of 2,000-3,000 p.a. No pressure to achieve here, except for personal satisfaction.