GCSE predictions in December

[bluebellshocked]

Do schools tend to give Y11 DCs slightly lower predictions for their GCSE grades at this stage to make them work harder over the holiday?

We were told DS would easily achieve all 9s or at least 8-9 at every parent's meeting. But his report for the end of this term says he would achieve mostly 7-8. I still think they are good but DS was a bit disappointed with the report so he said he would revise for 2-3 hours every day over this holiday and prepare better for the mock in January. He seems to think he can up the grade to 8-9 if he works harder. The exams start in April so there isn't much time left though. I am not sure if it is realistic to expect upping one whole grade by starting to work harder now unless the school gave harsher predictions...? Sorry, I am clueless.

I've told my y11 class to have a rest over the holiday, so no.

All schools and teachers are different

I suspect this might be school specific. DD's school wouldn't predict anyone over a 7 in anything until they got to the Y11 Christmas reports.

You actually inspired me to look back at DD's report and most teachers were correct with their predictions; 2 guessed a grade too high and 2 guessed a grade too low (one of the grades too high was due to DD having a bad day - she probably should have got the prediction).

No they don't but in December your DS may not have completed the whole GCSE course and perhaps some parts are harder than others so teachers don't want to predict the highest grades. Secondly, grade 9 is very subjective and the grade boundaries for a 9 vary so much every year and in every subject. It is very difficult to predict a 9 unless a child is literally getting 95-100% on every test. In the actual exams, grade 9s could be as 60%, it's all on a bell curve. I really wouldn't worry or pile any more pressure on. Let your DS relax over Christmas and go into the next term fresh and ready to learn.

Thanks for the replies. DS said they hadn't completed the whole GCSE course so that might be that. I am happy with 7-8 though as they are good enough for him to study the subjects he likes to study for a-levels. But DS said he would like to go back to school knowing he was well prepared for the mock and doing no study and just relaxing over Christmas would only make him more nervous and restless for the whole thing. So I wouldn't stop his study if he insists. He did 4 hours today... That's a lot for someone who hardly studies at home. He may run out of his energy halfway through the holiday then that's the time for him to relax a bit then...

Sorry I didn't realise the mocks were Jan, I thought they'd sent predictions out based on the mocks. Definitely needs to revise but also refresh. The mocks will give you a clearer indication of predicted grade too. I hope he does well.

I see! By reading the report, it sounds like the predictions were based on the average score from the tests and studies they did in the class. So I guess the mock will show a clearer indication of predicted grades as you say. Let's hope he will do well.

The only thing I don't understand is the report says he is on track for an 8 for maths and also should be aiming for an A in FM. What is A? 7? Isn't it better for him to aim for 9 for maths without doing FM rather than trying to do both and get 8 and 7? I thought only DCs who easily get 9 would be advised to take FM...