GCSEs 2018 (12) Are we nearly there yet?!

[mmzz]

Same to your DC gettingslimmer and to all other DC. Nite to all, thanks to noblefor maths info. Thanks to sticker for making me laugh though worrying about DM and thanks to all for being lovely people.

Teen sounds like your DD has paced herself well whilst mine is definitely flagging - really running on empty today and called it a day mid afternoon as nothing was going in. Hoping some nerves can make him focus tmrw. And agree goodbye, with one less gcse in total and fewer (but longer) papers in most subjects DS has had notably fewer exams than his sisters - though still too many !!!!

Good luck to all tomorrow especially those with two papers

Roses are red
I need my meds
To cope with exam stress
And I feel such a mess
But when I look at Teresa May
I feel like I haven't had such a bad day
She's got to face that idiot Gove
All I can say is good luck love!

I spent an hour tonight trying to calm DS down. There was a small bit of physics that he couldn't make sense of. The exam isn't until Friday so I suggested he email the physics teacher and ask her to see him tomorrow or Tuesday to help. It would only take 10-20 mins.

He replied that there wouldn't be any point because whenever anyone asks for any background info (eg what exactly is electricity?), the teacher tells them that's not a potential exam question, and refuses to be drawn into an answer! I was shocked, but DS said a lot of his teachers refuse to explain anything that won't be directly asked in the exam!

Fantastic summary.

I don’t think Dd has done anywhere near enough revision since after half term. I know circumstances have been difficult but I hope she isn’t running out of steam as she worked so hard before half term.

Evening- busy weekend so didn't get on here but 🍸🍻💗☕🍰🍫🍷🌹 to all those with other stuff going on in their lives other than these exams !

Lots of biology done here today with some chemistry and history thrown in. I am looking forward to seeing my kitchen table again and thankfully we have been able to eat outside a lot with this weather.

Out of 26 exams only 5 left this week - very science based week and lots to go over.

Booking my center parcs activities tonight - spa for us girls!

Here's to a successful week!

Been off the grid today so just been catching up now.

Had a question for Noble - the stuff about grade boundaries for the previous year being used to set the ones for this Year. Does that also apply to the igcses that are doing 9-1 for the first time.

In terms of what you said about the grade boundaries being adjusted to reflect the cohort - just so I understand this - and sorry for asking as has been a long day - so for a 'smarter' Year based on ks2 results the grade boundary would be lowered? Seems bizarre especially in the context that neither of my DC have done their SATs as their school did not sit these.

Finally, another one does anybody know for igcse as they are also sat internationally are the grade boundaries set looking across the results for the entire global population or just for the UK?

Have been out of the house most of the day and apart from printing lots of biology papers for DD couldn't do anything to check these. Had to leave her to do and mark these.
No idea how many she did - and hope she is ready for tomorrow.

Feeling exhausted and ready for all to be over.

slinky re the grade boundaries for igcse as I understand it they are set by paper, regardless of where it was sat. Most igcses have at least 2 papers for each module to account for different time zones, so Eg Edexcel igcse biology has Paper 2 and Paper 2R. They will have their own boundaries regardless of where, and by whom they are sat.

Morning all. I'm up pup refuses to get out of bed. After today only 4 exams left. Good luck to all today. Be calm and eat

Morning all. The end is in sight.
for all of you having other stuff going on.
As I said to dd, if gcses are all we have to worry about, we are very lucky. You're all a fantastic bunch.

Good luck everyone for Biology and Geography and any other exams that are going on today!!

All this talk of Edexcel maths paper 3, even I am starting to get nervous about what might or might not be on it and I'm not taking it

I'm hoping that DD has the "stuff it, nobody expects great things, so I will prove them all wrong" for biology. By great things, I mean anything 6+. She seems to have spent all day yesterday working on biology, with enough time to read through the Oxfordshire reservoir case study again. She knows that some DC will probably re-read the case study again in the exam room (If they've even read it already) whereas she can crack on answering the Qs.

At least this week of sciences, geography, Spanish & maths has negligible impact on her future. She plans to take maths A level, but something dramatic will have to happen to prevent her from getting the 7 she needs. 7 papers left & counting....

Morning all.
Good luck for those sitting biology and geography today. Which includes DD, so I’ve everything crossed that it goes well.

The poor thing is in pain, as had a bit of a kick about in the garden with DH yesterday, and when catching the ball somehow her fingers bent back (on her left hand thankfully!!!). It might end up with a trip to our walk in centre this afternoon, after the exams.

e the grade boundaries for igcse as I understand it they are set by paper, regardless of where it was sat. Most igcses have at least 2 papers for each module to account for different time zones, so Eg Edexcel igcse biology has Paper 2 and Paper 2R. They will have their own boundaries regardless of where, and by whom they are sat.

This is correct. Usually Paper R is for countries with more than 6 hours time difference. Separate papers, separate boundaries

With regard to matching KS2, this is done on a whole cohort stat level, not individually. Used as a guide only.

Good Luck to all the DC taking Biology and Geography today, including my DD

She is up, dressed and trying to decide how best to the up her hair today ...... decisions, decisions ........

This is our last double exam day, and we now have maths, the sciences and one lonely arts subject; Classics

Good Luck all

And as I understand it it’s not that the grade boundaries are lowered for a bright cohort - it’s more that they accept a few more getting the higher grades to reflect the overall ability level

I’m surprised I haven’t seen that fact referred to before in grade inflation discussion if it affects the number getting each grade (or have I misunderstood) unless it so marginal as to not impact

D'S has gone off to biology wake up revision before the AQA Biology exam today. He is in a good mood because he can see it all finishing soon. Biology is probably his weakest science.

He has mentioned concerns about grade boundaries for maths and science but doesn't seem too worried.

Morning all. Working long days at the weekend so a lot to catch up on and a lot going on for many

Biology and Geography today- last double exam day . Lets hope Biology is a bit more straightforward than Paper 1 was - seems a lifetime ago.

Good luck all today.

Good luck everyone doing biology and geography today!
Once these are out of the way DS has only 3 left.

Well dgd going to ace geography! She has researched Abingdon reservoir beyond remit as well as all other stuff. Its the only subject I never have to worry whether she's revised or not. She says paper 3 not exactly a paper to do a lot of revision on. Biology, on the other hand is a different thing. Not much confidence for paper 2 this morning with this paper will be hardest dgd thinks as more content, in her words blooming homeostasis! I said knowing AQA it won't be on paper!

Sostenueto dgd is definitely going to ace geography!

Dgds teacher reckons reflexes has a good chance of being on AQA paper. So quick revision being done on train. Dgd had email from geography teacher wishing her luck which I thought was nice. She gets so bashful if he gives her compliments!

Thanks loose hope your ds does the same in all his exams.