Y11 2023-24 continued

[Techno56]

New thread for when the other one fills up, I need somewhere to panic away from my son 😁

He has been doing programming regularly for the past couple of months as he really knew nothing! Not sure how he does a gcse and learns nothing but there you are.

All these kids working so hard! I’m hoping that what DD is doing in school is enough as she isn’t doing much at home. She had an after school revision session and got home at 5. Lounged about, did maybe an hour max, then her boyfriend came over… he has Chem & Geog today so not sure what he achieved either!!

My son doesn't do a lot on weekdays evenings either he just doesn't have it in him after exams in the day.

@MonkeyTennis34 I think it's nervous energy at this stage - I've certainly not heard him do it before! Although he did have 2 dinners last night as DD always eats early on Thursdays as she has activities till late so he ate with her and then again with me and DH so maybe that was it.

Next week calmer for us with only 5 exams and just 1 per day.

Is it physics today, I thought it was chemistry!?

Different board maybe.

We definitely have Chemistry this morning, Physics next Weds.

Has anyone had their raw grade back for art coursework? I'm a bit confused by it.

We have for 3D design (AQA).

Each component is scored out of 96. The portfolio mark is multiplied by 3 (as it's worth 60%) and the external assignment (exam and prep) is multiplied by 2 as it's worth 40%. That mark is then the total, out of 480 which is what's on the grade boundaries sheet for previous years so I think I've done it right! The mark then turns into a grade once boundaries are set.

Other boards might be different but this is how AQA do it for graphics, 3D, fine art and textiles

DS got 5 next week 2 on Monday nothing Friday but does have leavers assembly where they get their leavers hoodys then gets to finish at lunchtime.

@Techno56 thank you! He did AQA, I think he's been marked a little harshly on his coursework but have no grounds to challenge it other than 'I think'.

Just heard from DD that AQA Chemistry (Trilogy Higher) was “humbling”. She said she the best she could with it. It required some really tricky calculations, apparently.

On to Geography, which I fear may be even more humbling as she has spent next to no time revising it!

Edexcel Chem they are out at 11 I think?

Yes 11am for Edexcel Chemistry

The length of exams for both AQA and Edexcel depends on whether they are doing separate sciences, or the Chemistry element of Combined Science. “Trilogy” which my DD does is AQA’s double-award Combined Science.

Separate science exams are a bit longer.

DD said chemistry ‘not that bad’

Ah OK @JessyCarr DS is doing separate exams.

DD said Chem 'was fine' which I think was a surprise to both of us!

Yikes, 'humbling' ... Well, we'll see. Geog this afternoon too - and next week which is 2 exams lighter, 5 in all, DS still has two days with 2 in. Unlucky!

I think he's planning to max out on English lit poetry/J&H this weekend. Have a sneaking suspicion he's not done much on Paper 2 but at least it's something I feel comfortable talking through with him!

DS just messaged, said it wasn’t too bad, some nice 6 markers.

OK - some slightly more measured feedback now from “humbled” DD! She said most of it was fine but the last few questions included a tricky molar computation and a tricky bond energy calculation. So it sounds like the maths element rather than the chemistry knowledge was the challenging part in the time available.

We have one of those too! He’s staying for Choir practice after his chemistry and geography exams today as they’ve got a competition coming up!

Not the best start today, he lost track of time and the school bus was early, got him in with plenty of time but just that little bit unsettling.

His school does AQA single sciences , think everyone takes all three. Nothing back from him
yet - he and his mates usually go to Greggs for lunch between exams, with Geography this afternoon he’ll need some brain food 🙄🤣

If the teacher has been harsh across the board it all will come out in the wash at moderation and marks may get adjusted.

How did you receive this? Was it emailed to your dc?

Those doing double science. Do they add up all the marks from each science exam and then are given the grade according to the grade boundaries?
So if they do badly in say biology but great in physics, the physics marks will bring them up. They don’t have to get above a grade boundary in every science to get that grade?