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Original poster

Mock vs Actual GCSE Results

12 replies

hubbabubba80 · 20/01/2023 11:57

Sorry, another GCSE/mock thread...youngest DD did mocks in January and results came back early this week.

There were some good ones (2 x 9s, 2 x 8s) then a smattering of 6s/7s but a 3 in an art subject (DD is not planning to continue with this), but not surprised as literally (and I mean, LITERALLY), only revised for the exam the night before, not seemingly having looked at either revision guides or past papers. DD remains confident to lift this 3 to a 7, but I'm not sure (there is 50% coursework and DD is on track with this).

Should add that DD is at a super selective grammar, hence needing at least 7s, possibly higher in some subjects.

So, my question is, what experience do you have of your DC improving on their mock grades and could you please provide examples of their mock results v actual (+ subjects).

OP posts:
Original poster
hubbabubba80 · 20/01/2023 12:18

I should add, I'm looking for advice in how DD might be able to bolster the 3! Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
redskydelight · 20/01/2023 12:19

My DC both had one subject that went up 3 grades from mocks to actuals. In both cases it was due to them gaining better understanding of exam technique and what was expected to get higher marks in the question. 1 or 2 grades was more usual (but their mocks were November, so clearly there is less improvement time if you sit mocks in January). It also depends how your school marks mocks and what the papers covered - if the school marked hard and the mock papers cover material they've not yet been taught, for example, then you are going to see more improvement.

It's hard to say for a coursework heavy subject as the coursework can pull up a poor exam. If it's something like Drama for example, then I'd expect ability in English to be useful. Worth understanding why the grade was awarded - if it was simply due to lack of knowledge, then clearly doing some revision can fix this :) Would the school really not accept him into sixth form with less than a 7 in one unrelated subject?

TeenDivided · 20/01/2023 12:51

Well if the student put no effort into the mock and is otherwise bright then I can see how this could easily be lifted - just do some revision.

Shelefttheweb · 20/01/2023 13:09

I friend’s son went from D in maths mocks to A in actual (not GCSE, not covid). His mum is a maths teacher and up to that point he wouldn’t let her do anything with his maths. But after his mock they worked very hard together to go through the whole syllabus. If he had done some revision for his mock that might have lifted him a grade but it took re-teaching the subject in an intensive way to get him to an A.

Starlightstarbright1 · 20/01/2023 13:25

My Ds is year 11 so in the same position. We had parents evening this week. The teachers were aware of what he needed to do to improve.

Testina · 20/01/2023 13:31

It seems an odd question really.
A child getting otherwise all 6+ and 4x 8/9 knows full well what to do to get a higher grade than a 3, and doesn’t need their mum asking on MN.
She could ask her teachers.
She could even, you know, bother revise 🤣

Was the 3 given purely for the mock exam? So a 3 on that paper, not a 3 considering her current achievement on the 50% coursework?

If she doesn’t care enough to bother with this one, then you might just have to accept that.

Original poster
hubbabubba80 · 20/01/2023 13:31

Thanks all, that's encouraging. In all honesty, DD seems very confident about lifting it to an 8 but I (secretly) I wasn't so sure. Saying that, coursework is going well and she's good at writing/analysing so fingers crossed.

Good luck everyone else!

OP posts:
catndogslife · 20/01/2023 13:34

Is the subject DT ? If so the school probably won't do much towards the written exam until the coursework is completed. Buy the revision guide and encourage your dd to work her way through it and try the example questions.
When dd took DT at GCSE there was loads of time to revise for this subject because the exam was a week later than all the others.
You could try asking the teacher to see a copy of the marked paper to find out where she lost marks.

hubbabubba80 · 20/01/2023 13:34

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This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Hoppinggreen · 20/01/2023 13:35

One of the functions of Mocks is to scare kids into working harder for the actual exams isn’t it?

Original poster
hubbabubba80 · 20/01/2023 13:45

catndogslife · 20/01/2023 13:34

Is the subject DT ? If so the school probably won't do much towards the written exam until the coursework is completed. Buy the revision guide and encourage your dd to work her way through it and try the example questions.
When dd took DT at GCSE there was loads of time to revise for this subject because the exam was a week later than all the others.
You could try asking the teacher to see a copy of the marked paper to find out where she lost marks.

No, but that's really interesting to know as she said lots and lots didn't do well in the DT exam. My youngest is looking to choose between Drama and DT. Loves both so good to have this insight re DT.

OP posts:
pointythings · 20/01/2023 14:06

It sounds like the answer is some hardcore revision, which given the rest of her grades should be very doable. Jumps can be made in other subjects as well though - DD2 went from a 3 and a 4 in Maths/Chemistry to 7 in both through working her absolute backside off.

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