GCSEs 2018 (8) Dozens of DCs, 1 DH and Flashcards in the fridge

[mmzz]

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OK, so DS is back from his EDUQAS Drama exam. He seems OK and thinks it went 'quite well' but apparently it was in a completely different structure to the Spec and the Sample Assessment Materials/ sample Exam Paper .
It's a new syllabus, examined for the first time this year, and they had all been taught to expect 4 equal sections each of 15 marks. There was one of 30 (!) and two x 15. Also the questions were structured differently to the SAMs.
Thank goodness he spotted the changes and reworked his time accordingly. Apparently there's a bit of a ruckus about it in the drama teacher community on FB/ twitter now however.
It's a bit mean of the exam board to vary the spec before it's even started!

DD did drama. Said she didn’t quite finish but that it was a good paper. I don’t think they give them much time. There’s a lot on Twitter about it. Think it was AQA.

Dd did that one as well i think just

That was the one where she answered the question without putting the title

She is going to be living at home forever

Rufus - sometimes you don’t want to know the details, eh? She’ll pass it which is all that matters as she’s not taking it further.

I’m on a drama teacher Facebook group. I’ll have a look.

loose that would be amazing, DD really keen to do a double 9 in English so anything would help

The EDUQAS exams taken by DD so far seem to have been shambolic. The French listening was shameful in its choice of pieces and today’s Drama makes them plummet even further in my opinion.

It would be nice if somewhere along the way, one of the EDUQAS exams that she sits matches the spec. But I’m increasingly uncertain that this will happen.

Dd took AQA French writing today. She was really pleased with how it went. She'd lost interest in French after having had no consistent French teacher over the last 18 months. So she wasn't expecting to do too well. But she says it was much better than expected.

I liked this summary on Twitter:
'Probably AQA tomorrow: You are playing the role of Giles. Explain how you would use your acting skills to grow carrots on your farm and convert them into nanometres. Make reference to religious teaching in your answer. For a bonus six marks, identify substance E.'

PE seemed to go “OK”- have you had your practicals marks? My DS got 15/20,16/20 and 20/20 which we and he were very pleased with.

Yes we have and we were pleased too (she says coyly)

wow a lot to catch up again - glad most seem to have survived today. In answer to your question Teenmum I don't think there is much revision required for the igcse due to the coursework element. Only quotes needed for of mice and men - and they given the poems. DS has had to do a lot of work and practice as we found at Easter he was actually unable to write an unseen answer at all (long story). He s getting there now and I think has a strategy to write something to get a pass even if not a great standard.

Oh and DD2 did IB. She and I both thought it was a great course, though a LOT of work. She loved it and is trying to persuade DS to switch but he won't leave his current school.

Happy to answer any IB/A level questions from our experience

Ps sorry if a bit boasty about the PE marks. I don’t normally have much to boast about markswise so I couldn’t resist! I hope those struggling with illness get that taken into account and aren’t penalised-seems very unfair if they are.

Dont worry rosie

How does everyone have the results already for the practical?

I think maybe dd doesn't need to know...or me! Specially if its bad

Rufus - I think dd's PE teacher is actually an examiner too. Perhaps that is why we know?

My son was moderated so maybe that’s why?

Ah fair enough

Thought i was missing out there

I think dd was moderated as well

Im not gonna ask!!!

Well panic stations today because they have to sign exam papers as well as write name and DVD couldn't remember if she had done it or not yesterday on chemistry paper. I said I'm such invigilator would have called her back if she had not signed it. But in flood of tears on phone she then rushed off to exams office to check. They checked only to reassure her as they said invigilators would have called her back if she hadn't. So all is well as all she kept on saying was she'd only get a 4 if first paper discounted. Very upbeat tonight and I wouldn't let her do any revision, she needs a rest badly. Homemade fish and chips with lager batter and strawberries and cream. Now doing her my special hot chocolate with all the trimmings and off to bed she will go. Not exactly a healthy diet but she's ate hardly anything this week vos of worry. Her mum will go mad I've given her fatty stuff (sigh) . oh well what the devil don't know........

DD had a hospital appointment earlier and we went shopping on the way home. Our trolley contained more carbs than you would need for a trip up Everest!

DS has said AQA French writing was "good".

Can't get any more than that out of him

He has English Lit revision tomorrow in school and then refereeing 2 football cup finals tomorrow. Then a senior cricket match on Sunday so I'm not sure how much revision will be done.

Cricket dilemma again - do we hope for a triumphant 50 for confidence purposes or out for a quick 10 and back to revising poems in the pavilion?

DD said not enough time in AQA Drama, off to Twitter to have a look. Given her the night off after an hour with the Maths tutor. Dinner at Bella Italia and a long bath. Now she's looking at pictures of Johnny Depp on the internet, her usual state.

50 every time, but put his flashcards in the bag just in case. How about this for a GCSE poem:

There was a DS playing cricket
Whose mum hoped for a quick wicket.
For grades 8 and 9
He had plenty of time
Or Gove could definitely stick it!