GCSE how to ? What to ? When ? Please advise

[NoviceBuyer2022]

Hi all,
I am not aware of what does it take to prepare my kid for GCSE. Looking for some pointers within West Midlands .
for 11+ we knew of some classes for preparation and also that there are some mock exams that would benefit and we did all of that and it helped him
but clueless about what to do for GCSE .
are there any classes kids go to ? How does one judge which class or teacher is best? Are there mock exams ? Papers we must get him to solve ?
he is in year 9 now and aspires to be in medical .

Ask school for a list of the exam boards for each subject and get the recommended revision guide for each.

We use those to consolidate and make revision cards as the topic is covered in class, plus use YouTube videos if something wasn't properly understood.

Y9 may be a bit soon unless DC is in a school with a 3 year GCSE pathway (we have that).

Assuming he is in school they will practice questions and run mocks in y10/11. If there are issues you can employ a tutor but that is the exception rather than the rule.

Yes agree with others, you can get revision guides to support with revision and consolidate work done in class. I am also assuming he is in mainstream school?

If he is starting GCSE work in yr 10, then yr 9 is a bit early as you won’t know yet what subjects he will be taking.

Are there specific current subjects you are concerned about @NoviceBuyer2022 ?

He will of course take maths and English lang and maybe MFL, all of which are linear subjects so revision of KS3 is not a bad idea - revision guides for this are available if you and he want something to do now.

School will set mocks in yr 11 and you can also look at past papers in yr 11 as part of revision. No point doing that before the learning tho.

CGP books - make sure you get the right exam board, Youtube vids such as Mr Salles, Primrose kitten and the GCSE maths tutor. Websites such as physics and maths tutor. Past papers from the exam board websites. This is all available free and what my son used to get all 8's and 9's. You could also obviously get him a tutor for any subjects he finds more difficult.

He will probably have quite full on end of Yr 10 exams and then mocks in Yr 11 (at least one lot). I wouldn't be worrying about GCSE's too much at the moment, just make sure he is concentrating and working on what he is doing at school right now. School will probably set him some GCSE prep work at the end of Yr 9 for the summer hols and they will probably recommend resources for him to use for his GCSE's.

Thank you all . I have made a note of the sites and links @itsmyp4rty also will buy revision guides @OhCrumbsWhereNow . He has selected his gcse options now @LIZS so far nothings looks worrying since he has managed to be in A1 or A2 in his subjects. But I have heard of tutors being used and some friends telling they repent not giving tuitions for subjects like English ( writing tasks ) hence wanted to check .