How many GCSEs is too many?

106 replies

OnTh3Up · 04/02/2023 18:12

DC will be taking 13 GCSEs due to triple science and 2x extra maths.
The impact on their exam timetable has only just dawned on me (more exams on the same day, less days between exams).
Extra maths would usually be taken a year early but this didn't happen due to Covid.
School have said that dropping GCSEs isn't an option.
Grades would probably be:
9x 7ish
2x 4/5
2x 3
This isn't a moan or a humble brag. I'm genuinely looking for advice.

OP posts:

Original poster

OnTh3Up · 06/02/2023 22:14

Chiasmi · 06/02/2023 16:29

It's an awful lot, and it's definitely more than they need, but they are clearly very talented at maths and could well need to put in less work for their 3 maths GCSEs than some less able kids need to do for their one.

However this year's Y11s are under a lot of pressure. We know so many on reduced timetables or out of school altogether. If your child is really struggling to cope with the workload then do speak to the school from that angle. Dropping a subject or two to head off a spiralling mental health crisis should be doable even if they don't allow it for most students, most of the time. You have to assume that school has the child's interests at heart and proceed accordingly. If they are basically OK but you are just worried about the exam schedule I would say ask about dropping the 3s but be prepared to just ride it out.

One question to consider is if they were to drop some, would you be able to physically pick them up so they were out if school for those lessons? If the school is adamant that they can't go to the library or sit at the back of their scheduled class with headphones in, this may be the only way to have them removed from those lessons.

Thank you

OP posts:

ShirleySmith · 17/02/2023 09:09

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RampantIvy · 17/02/2023 09:37

Why would anyone want to do 16?
Bragging rights?
Wouldn't a university worry that a candidate with 16 GCSEs might not be a rounded person because all they did was study and have no interests outside of studying?

IThinkIMadeItWorse · 17/02/2023 09:56

@Postapocalypticcowgirl I am surprised and slightly alarmed that you say universities don't take students with a 4 in English for science degrees. My DS has 4s in English but is now studying Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry and is on track for top grades. (He is dyslexic.) A quick google says that Warwick, Birmingham and Southampton (just picked three Russell group unis at random) will all accept a grade 4 in English to study Physics. I think universities that require a grade 5 are a small minority.

Having said this obviously the aim should be to get the best grade in English you can. My DS effectively "dropped" French by refusing to do any homework or revision, he just turned up to the lessons (somehow he got a grade 4 - I am still not sure how!)

Nimbostratus100 · 17/02/2023 09:59

Hellocatshome · 04/02/2023 18:21

The school may say he cant drop GCSEs but there is nothing stopping him either
A) not doing any revision for them, concentrating on his other subjects especially English, sitting the exams and seeing what he gets
B) not revising for then and not turning up for the exams, although you will have to pay the exam fee and I think it goes down as a U or whatever the equivalent is in the new system.

and you have to legally declare the U on every university application, and any other similar application, including job applications for the rest of your life

Dont do this

Tulipvase · 17/02/2023 10:58

Nimbostratus100 · 17/02/2023 09:59

and you have to legally declare the U on every university application, and any other similar application, including job applications for the rest of your life

Dont do this

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Really?

Obviously you shouldn’t lie about getting better grades, certainly if it’s a specific requirement for the job but leaving a low grade off…. I can’t see anything wrong or in deed illegal in doing that.

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