GCSEs 2019 - support thread part 2

[AtiaoftheJulii]

Here we are again

pointy gosh, what a time you've had!

Holland does indeed sound more organised! (Ireland are too)

Dads death wasnt straightforward. He didnt die at home - we were away for a family event - so it was nearly 3 weeks before the funeral and mum had a heart attack the same day so I was in and out of hospital with her...
The paperwork!! Surely they can make it easier/more streamlined!

I'm sat in the car waiting for ds1....

Gosh Kitty it is odd. I checked the timetable from the school again, and all the afternoon ones definitely start at 1.30, and we have lamduffy's DC starting at 1.15. Maybe schools can have a range of starting times, so long as nobody can get out and spill the beans (even if yours started at 1pm, they wouldn't be out before 1.30 in time to tell mine). I surprising though, that they are not co-ordinated up and down the country. it was AQA French this morning that DS sat also. The Biology is also AQA for us. French and English literature run neck and neck for worst subject. Biology can be one of the best, and an A level choice. I do hope it is going/has gone OK

According to DD, 3/4 of biology was excellent, then it got strange.

Listening French not great, but the other went well.

My DD says Biology was weird, apparently all but one person said the same. She said questions worded strangely. Unfortunately it sounds like there was a lot on there they hadn't covered at her school! She doesn't seem too disheartened though not quite as upbeat as she was.

Ds's afternoon exams all start at 2pm.

Gawd, a weird Biology exam is all we need!

ILoveYou3000 which Board was your Biology?

I’ve not heard anything from DS today (is that good or bad) - I’ve not been at work today so not good for my nerves!!

His bus should get home at 4 so crossing fingers and toes

Bimkom I’ve just looked up pm start times in JCQ regs (I invigilate - not at DC’s school) and apparently pm start times have to be between 1 and 2 and am between 8.30 and 9.30.

DS said exactly the same "Bio was good but weird" Not sure what that means!

Without having read this thread! - Weird was his exact text!

DS said biology went really well AQA. Found out he'd missed out a question completely right at the end but in time to finish.
Eyes down learning these damned English lit quotes tonight.

Oh Kitty that is interesting, I wonder why they give that much leeway. I presume if one starts at 1pm, then you are not allowed to let them out before 2. DS's school it taking the exact midpoint of each of those times.

Bimkom you’re not allowed to leave until after the standard time has elapsed so this would mean the integrity of the papers are maintained.

I guess it’s to fit in with varying school days.

Ds1 science board is aqa.

Said it was ok. Said he "blagged" 3 questions "but they only add up to 5 marks"

Said 2 of the questions were ones his school set in the mock???

Anyway, first one done. Phew.

Now to revise bloody eng lit 😩

How funny that they've all described it as weird.

She told me what the weird question was about but not what she answered, just that she had an educated guess. Very upbeat though and the rest of the exam went great I think.

DD has just completed AQA higher tier biology. She too said it was WEIRD and focused a lot on diabetes!
She said the first 10 pages were surprisingly easy the last 5 were thinkers.
She's confident though. Got an 8 in her mock so fingers crossed as this is a potential A level option.
English Lit next!!!

Oh yes she said the first question was something she'd expect in a year 7 paper. Either she's right or she's gone very wrong.

Did anyone do Edexcel french, dc texted to say reading paper was bad "I didn't know any of the words mum"

Just asked ds1...yes apparently very diabetes heavy

DS home now.

AQA French he said the listening was hard but it always is and the Reading was OK. He would love a 7 in French but that would require a certain amount of luck so we shall see! Only the writing left - phew!

Edexcel Biology (single Science, higher tier) he felt OK about- there were 10 questions (with sub sections) and there was only one he felt uncertain about. His comment was he thought he did better then a 6

Posted too soon - meant to add that he’s not generally great at judging how things went!

Kitty DD's was OCR.

Carrie was it higher or foundation?

WJEC Biology higher tier today, ds says he’s really confident it went well and the 6 mark essay question was the one they had practiced over and over in lessons. No study leave here they are expected to still go to lessons but he doesn’t have exams Friday and Monday and has asked does he have to go in. It seems pointless going to lessons that you’ve already completed your exams in but they are still measured on attendance.

Carrie dd just in from Edexcel French, “was a bit of a bugger mum”
(Reading paper)

DD says the weird question was about a fish.