Yr11 mocks in November, how everyone feeling?

[CurlsandCurves]

I just don’t know how they’re going to do it.

DS is pretty relaxed about it all which I’ve kind of encouraged because I don’t want him stressed to the max.

But coming back from no school since March. 5-6 weeks in and here we are at mocks! DS knows what he needs to do, but doesn’t know HOW to revise. There will be resources for this, I know, the school are doing everything they can but how on earth can they do this?

I’m overwhelmed and it’s not me doing them! Anyone else a year 11 parent?

Unfortunately I know exactly how you feel. Same position for us! I really am dreading the next few months

Are they doing two sets of mocks? DS is doing some in November and then some after Christmas

Yes, lack of knowledge of how to revise is something I've noticed in my year 11 child. Based on my older child's experience, her school normally spends a bit chunk of year 10 helping them find out what works for them, making revision resources etc. Although she kept up pretty well with content last term, this sort of advice and practice of exam technique wasn't really covered in the online provision and is a big gap that now needs filling pretty rapidly.

My DD will have mini mock week beginning of November then another mock either in December or February- not definite yet. We have recently had a parent evening, teachers provided resources for the subjects in the mini mocks which I thought it is very helpful. Obviously they will have mini mocks with limited units for each subject so they have a chance to get higher grades as teachers put it but the real mock later on will include new subjects too! I am not looking forward to the next few months either

I’m sorry your son and lots of other Dc find themselves in this position
We are very lucky in that DD had a full online timetable during lockdown and are having plenty of catch up sessions so we aren’t too concerned
I know a lot of kids that aren’t in the same position though sadly

I’m eagerly awaiting the mocks. DS1 and DS2 sit A Levels and GCSEs in 2021, respectively. Lockdown worked for DS2, as he was a mediocre student. Lockdown gave him a chance to reset his approach. He is much more confident now. I would say encourage your DC to trawl YouTube. It’s a mine of gold

I've just had an email from school with the timetable for these.

Are all schools doing the same mocks?

My Dd is doing some mocks this week & the rest in week 2 of the half term. We haven’t been told about any happening at a later date.

Ours are in January if they can keep enough students in school at one time. DS2 has been sent home once and then the whole year group another time. Even doing class testing is difficult due to constantly missing students (NW). No extra classes either.
DS does well in exams so not too worried for mocks, but measurement of ability against students across the country (who have had better provision) for the real thing next summer does.

My DD is now in Yr12. If I as a Yr11 parent I would be pleased with mocks in November tbh, assuming they have them again later.

DD had mocks in Jan and not much importance was put on them at the time - teachers said no pressure, there is plenty of time, it's a great way for you to learn what works best for you and how to recvise, your grades won't count for anything... but then Covid.. They did matter, grades were used and they didn't get another go at Mocks or Exams).

Take them seriously, but without stress if possible. Start to revise early, find what does work best, try different techniques. It's great way to get them to understand what will be needed later. Realise that the grades may be used and work accordingly. They won't be tested on anything they haven't studied yet, so concentrate on what you have learnt.

DD yr11 has been given 3 weeks notice of mocks after half term and told they will be used for predicted grades

DS mocks start at the end of November, so we do have a bit of time on our side.

I emailed his form tutor and she has come back to me with lots of good ideas and resources. After school revision sessions have started as well this week.

@waltzingparrot we’ve been told the same. They phrased it as ‘these exams will probably be the most important exams you will do’. As in, don’t count on actually being able to sit your proper exams next year.

@CurlsandCurves I'm telling DS (don't actually have a DD, that was a fat finger error in my post), to assume all work from this point on will contribute to his final GCSE grade....so do your best work, as who knows what will happen.

My daughter had sort of pre mock mocks in September. Online provision during lockdown was excellent and my daughter did very well. They have less intense exams next week and the real mocks after February half term.
Teachers are telling them every exam and coursework handed in needs to be best effort in case they have to provide evidence for predicted grades if GCSEs are cancelled.

Hi mine are doing theirs after Christmas

Just sharing this which may interest you- plans for the exams next summer..

Extra measures to "boost fairness and support students" will be used for next summer's GCSE and A-level exams in England, ministers have announced.
More generous grading, advance notice of exam topics and additional papers are promised by the Department for Education to make up for the disruption faced by students during the pandemic.
Those who cannot sit exams due to self-isolation rules will still get a grade.
Heads said it was "a reasonable package" of measures for the situation.
The DfE says it has had "extensive engagement" with exams watchdog Ofqual, exam boards and senior leaders across the education sector.
The measures mean:
more generous grading than usual, in line with results from summer 2020, so that this year's cohort is not disadvantaged
students getting advance notice - at the end of January - of some topic areas covered in exams to focus revision
exam aids - such as formula sheets - provided in some exams to cut down on the memorising required
additional "backup" exams - to be held in July - to give students a second chance to sit a paper if they have to miss main exams or assessments due to illness or self-isolation
and a new expert group, which will monitor variation in the impact of the pandemic on students across the country.
In extreme cases, where a student misses all their papers, a teacher-assessed grade will be given.
Those young people taking vocational and technical qualifications will also see adaptations to their exams to ensure fairness.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-55160374

I found this a relief, less pressure in a way for the mocks. My DS gets extra time as well so that will help, but it is quite stressful

When they say advance notice in SOME topics. What does SOME mean. If there are 10 topics in Chemistry and they provide notice of 2 topics, I still read it as learning those 2 topics plus the remaining 8. Have I overthought this?

Hopefully they will clarify more soon. Ideally before the winter break.It is stressful isn't it.

I think it means telling them what topics will be in the exam, so they can focus on those areas - not sure how many though