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Secondary education

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Original poster

GCSE Supporting - first week nearly over

997 replies

overthehillswegoo · 18/05/2023 22:42

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13
powerrangers · 19/05/2023 13:12

ggccsseeeee · 19/05/2023 07:27

Been lurking- DD just left for school and Maths!

Not too bad a week other than the IGCSE Biology horror but trying to forget about that and Praying Paper 2 will better... Although her school also does iGCSE Chemistry which is not her favourite at the best of times.

I have also been invigilating at another school this week so seeing it from both sides!

Was it edexcel or cie igcse biology?

kidstaxidriver · 19/05/2023 13:13

@TeenDivided just an idea but have her school considered rest breaks? She could then come out of the exam for 10/15 mins, get a break, deep breaths, have a little think and then go back in. I’m sure with her anxiety this would be in her best interests - sorry I might have missed it in earlier messages but if not, speak to the SEN dept and ask if not too late

kidstaxidriver · 19/05/2023 13:15

@powerrangers ours was Edexcel iGCSE

TeenDivided · 19/05/2023 13:16

@kidstaxidriver She gets rest breaks. And extra time. Just can't persuade her to actually use it at the moment. Honestly though until 4.30 yesterday afternoon she was adamant she wouldn't even go, so i'm taking it as a win.

sproutsandparsnips · 19/05/2023 13:17

Can I join?
DS had maths (WJEC numeracy - he did the other one last year) and I haven't heard - now he's in computer science (Eduqas I think) so I'm worrying now.
He found biology ok earlier this week (WJEC) and history (depression war and recovery - he's got health and medicine in June).

MargaretThursday · 19/05/2023 13:17

Ds has his first day with 2 exams.
He also discovered yesterday that one of his exams he's been put down as doing it in the main area rather than the computer room (he uses a laptop) so hopefully that is sorted today.

kidstaxidriver · 19/05/2023 13:20

@TeenDivided you've got a great attitude and it’s a big win she managed an hour! Well done! And glad she’s got the rest breaks there but my son has them and equally can’t be persuaded easily to use them regularly even though no one should really sit there for 2 hours 30 mins and write 3 essays in my mind!

yikes88 · 19/05/2023 13:22

Ds not rung me yet and has rung every day this week! Anxious now as to how he found Maths ( edexel higher) given all the comments about how hard it was.Does anyone know what it was about the questions their DC found the paper hard? I'm hoping it was something like the last 2 questions that were hard and everyone's DC are underestimating how it went because of that.....

ReformedWaywardTeen · 19/05/2023 13:25

DDs maths board was OCR. No idea what the difference is? But yes, really hard but they're now having a much needed study break watching the first Scream film on the recommendation of their cousin.

Beccaboo822 · 19/05/2023 13:27

yikes88 · 19/05/2023 13:22

Ds not rung me yet and has rung every day this week! Anxious now as to how he found Maths ( edexel higher) given all the comments about how hard it was.Does anyone know what it was about the questions their DC found the paper hard? I'm hoping it was something like the last 2 questions that were hard and everyone's DC are underestimating how it went because of that.....

Don't worry yet as ds got 4 in mock, they didn't know whether to move him down or not but he just msg me to say the edexcel was 'good'

Daydreamscometrue · 19/05/2023 13:34

IGCSE Edexcel Maths here and she found it better than expected. Found the last question very hard.

EmmaStone · 19/05/2023 13:35

DS just going into CompSci after Maths (Edexcel iGCSE) this morning. His mocks were all 4s and 5s, so who knows what he'll come out with - we'll be delighted if he squeezes a 6, or even a 7 somewhere.

His comments after exams have been few: "it went fine, thanks"; "Good, thanks"; "It was fine, thank you"; "It was alright, thanks", so pretty opaque 😂. Just hope he passes them all...

CornishCoast · 19/05/2023 13:39

DD said Edexcel Maths higher was tough, there were three 5 marker questions she definitely didn’t get right. She needs an 8 to study at A level at her sixth form and is not confident. She does tend to do better than she thinks.

BonjourCrisette · 19/05/2023 13:41

TeddybearBaby · 19/05/2023 12:55

My DS is thinking of doing the next maths paper back to front so he can leave the exam on a high and like he is capable as opposed to stressed because of the very difficult questions at the end. Does anyone have an opinion on doing it that way? Makes me nervous for some reason!

I haven't got to the end of the thread, but this is a terrible idea! He MUST spend his time on doing the questions he knows he can do. Anything else is a bonus. If he tackles the hard questions first he runs the risk of getting bogged down in something and not leaving enough time for the questions where he can definitely get marks.

Best exam technique is always to work through the paper doing everything that you are confident with. Anything you are not sure about move quickly on. Then go back at the end and make best use of time to get something sensible down for as many questions as you possibly can. If you know the method but can't do the calculation or know the formula but not sure how to apply, it's even worth writing this down as it may net an extra mark or two somewhere.

AbbyGal · 19/05/2023 13:45

Ds thought maths was 'alright! an adjective he uses alot!!
Better than his mate on Wed who apparently wrote a nice long answer to the Romeo and Juliet question despite the fact they've studied Macbeth!
He said he remembered loads from when they did R&J in year 7!!

CornishCoast · 19/05/2023 13:47

@TeddybearBaby not a good idea, always do the easy questions first, get some marks in the bag and build your confidence. I kindof admire his chutzpah but best not try this in the exam hall.

OvaHere · 19/05/2023 13:48

Finally heard from DS. Said it was hard so he doesn't think he did great but maybe decent enough.

We'll see I guess. It's done now and he doesn't seem too stressed. Probably less than I am. 😂

rainydogday · 19/05/2023 13:48

DD said Edexcel higher maths was very hard. She is a 4/5 student and is extremely worried she will fail. She said she only managed to get about 2 or 3 answers but showed workings out for all questions.... trying to keep her positive! She really just wants to pass as doesn't want to re-sit. I don't really understand the grade boundaries but hoping they are lowered if lord have found it hard!

TeenDivided · 19/05/2023 13:50

rainydogday · 19/05/2023 13:48

DD said Edexcel higher maths was very hard. She is a 4/5 student and is extremely worried she will fail. She said she only managed to get about 2 or 3 answers but showed workings out for all questions.... trying to keep her positive! She really just wants to pass as doesn't want to re-sit. I don't really understand the grade boundaries but hoping they are lowered if lord have found it hard!

If she is a 4/5 student why on earth was she sitting Higher?

powerrangers · 19/05/2023 13:56

IGCSE maths here. Dd said it was ok. Not an easy exam but she answered all but one question. That question flummoxed them all it seems. She's an 8/9 student.

TeddybearBaby · 19/05/2023 13:59

@BonjourCrisette @CornishCoast thank you for your replies, they are excellent points. I’m going to speak to DS and spell it out to him. Thanks

rainydogday · 19/05/2023 13:59

They tried her on foundation a few times and she did worse! She seems to strangely get more marks on some of the more difficult bits! All a bit strange. I am sure she has dyscalculia as she gets 7/8 in other subjects. The calculator paper she seems to be ok with as she can do the problem solving but just not the maths. If you see what I mean. Can't wait for this to be over.

TeenDivided · 19/05/2023 14:05

rainydogday · 19/05/2023 13:59

They tried her on foundation a few times and she did worse! She seems to strangely get more marks on some of the more difficult bits! All a bit strange. I am sure she has dyscalculia as she gets 7/8 in other subjects. The calculator paper she seems to be ok with as she can do the problem solving but just not the maths. If you see what I mean. Can't wait for this to be over.

I know just where you are coming from. DD was aimed at Higher when she was in y10 before she took ill. Now she is in college doing Foundation and her poor recall of eg times tables impacts foundation level questions more than I think it would impact Higher. But there we are.

OvaHere · 19/05/2023 14:07

rainydogday · 19/05/2023 13:59

They tried her on foundation a few times and she did worse! She seems to strangely get more marks on some of the more difficult bits! All a bit strange. I am sure she has dyscalculia as she gets 7/8 in other subjects. The calculator paper she seems to be ok with as she can do the problem solving but just not the maths. If you see what I mean. Can't wait for this to be over.

DS is a bit like this. He fluctuates a bit and on a good day with a paper with questions that play to his strengths he's capable of a 6. An unfavourable paper might end up a 4/5 though.

Like your DD other subjects are much stronger and even though in Biology (his A level choice) he will most likely comfortably get a 6 or maybe a 7 the college requires a 6 in Maths too.

So in that scenario when they are a bit borderline I think you have to give them a shot at the higher. At least I presume that's what the teachers are thinking.

BonjourCrisette · 19/05/2023 14:13

DD reports that Edexcel IGCSE Maths was fine. She texted me 'went well!' and has gone to look round the shops with some friends. She is quite good at Maths generally though.