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Original poster

Are GCSEs always this close together?

69 replies

Loiolo · 14/05/2024 03:23

DD is in Y11, I've just been having a look over her exam timetable and it seems so intense.
Her first exam was Biology on Friday, then she has an exam everyday this week (she had 2 today) covering English Lit, Classics, French, History, Maths and Chemistry. Then next week it's the same with English lit, Classics, Physics, English Language and French. Following week Maths, Spanish, then finally a week day off on June 5th for the first time since may 10th!
Is this normal? Obviously after that she still has more to go!

I didn't do my exams in the UK so this seems so foreign to me. Is it normal to be this intense and have an exam literally everyday?
How can I help make sure she doesn't burn out in this time?

OP posts:
Spirallingdownwards · 14/05/2024 08:22

PuttingDownRoots · 14/05/2024 08:19

I remember doing two French and and a maths exam on my 16th birthday in the 90s!

I can also remember a couple of friends having to stay overnight with a teacher as they had too many exams on one day... I presume they don't do that anymore!

In theory they should but there seems to be more of a move to parents signing that the student will have no Internet access or access to students who have taken exams.

For gcses the maximum amount of exams for one day is 5.5 hours and A levels 6 hours.

GCSE papers tend to be shorter than historically so it doesn't happen often but more likely that they do 3 rather than just 2 exams in one day rather than go overnight.

Shinyandnew1 · 14/05/2024 08:42

finally a week day off on June 5th for the first time since may 10th! Is this normal?

There should be a week of half term at the end of May, so no exams for at least 5 days and two weekends-does she not have this? June 5th should not be the first week day off since May 10th!

Otherwise, yes-it’s brutal and constant and I’m not sure it’s the best way to assess pupils. I’d go back to much more of a mix of coursework and exams if I was in charge, to take the pressure off. I loved some of my bits of coursework. There’s no reason why English has to be a memory test of quotations either.

RampantIvy · 14/05/2024 08:45

I’d go back to much more of a mix of coursework and exams

The issue with this is that there are far more options to cheat using chatgp or other forms of AI.

I doubt that schools have the the anti plagiarism software that universities do.

Maybe the answer is to do the coursework in the classroom under supervision.

Asabat · 14/05/2024 08:49

Not sure it is normal. Head of year admitted it was more full than expected this year and that core subjects were usually done by half term, so more study leave/space after - but not the case this year. I think I counted 26 exams for DD.

I think the intensity of GCSEs is crazy anyway, but does seem particularly tough this year.

Shinyandnew1 · 14/05/2024 08:50

RampantIvy · 14/05/2024 08:45

I’d go back to much more of a mix of coursework and exams

The issue with this is that there are far more options to cheat using chatgp or other forms of AI.

I doubt that schools have the the anti plagiarism software that universities do.

Maybe the answer is to do the coursework in the classroom under supervision.

Yes, controlled assessment type things in class.

I’d also let them have the English texts in the exam. We took our own books in for English A level in the 90s (no GCSE exams for English as that was all coursework)-it doesn’t magically enable you to write a brilliant essay, but it makes a move away from being a memory test with a focus on regurgitating quotations.

BoudiccaOfSuburbia · 14/05/2024 08:52

Yep! Dc often had several days a week doing 2 exams a day.

Hugely intense.

A levels were much more spaced out.

Panicmode1 · 14/05/2024 08:58

I'm finding it quite eye opening - DC3 is sitting them now, but DC1 and 2 had TAGs because it was during COVID, so I haven't been through it before and it seems so exhausting - and we are only into week one (tho art is complete).

I don't remember having exams every day as DC3 does, and they seem shorter than I remember (I remember 2 or 3 hour papers - but maybe I'm confusing them with my A levels!), they seem so mixed up. Wouldn't it be better to get English and Maths papers done first, and then the 'options' - having to dance between history, physics, economics, English, maths on rotation for the papers seems so much to juggle.

I guess they are all in the same storm - will be glad to arrive in mid June with DC3 finished, DC1 having done his first set of serious exams for his degree, and DC2 home after the first year of uni.

And then I will have to worry about having A levels and GCSEs at the same time for DC3 and DC4 in two years time...!

BeaLola · 14/05/2024 08:58

Yes DS started last Thursday and has his 6th exam today, and another 4 this week - he finishes 14th June.

It's 40 years 🤯 since I did my olevels - I recall less exams but longer exams - I think DS longest exam is 2.49 hrs and that's an English Lit paper plus he gets 25% more time. He has been learning so many quotes for English which like a previous poster I don't think it should be about.

Im glad this is my only time going through it - I'm amazed at sone of the content of his science exams - cancer, cystic fibrosis etc etc - I can only recall the experiments we did

RampantIvy · 14/05/2024 08:59

And then I will have to worry about having A levels and GCSEs at the same time for DC3 and DC4 in two years time...!

Hence my comment upthread about going through this multiple times Grin

Panicmode1 · 14/05/2024 09:08

RampantIvy · 14/05/2024 08:59

And then I will have to worry about having A levels and GCSEs at the same time for DC3 and DC4 in two years time...!

Hence my comment upthread about going through this multiple times Grin

Sorry, I missed that - yes, we certainly didn't think about public exams when we were in the fog of baby years...does anyone!? Or four sets of uni fees...potentially three simultaneously 😳

JellyBabiesSaveLives · 14/05/2024 09:12

Yes, it's grim. I'm on my third and last go at this as a parent, thank god. Just been discussing with dh, about persuading ds2 out to do something fun/social/active at the weekend so he doesn't burn out and give up.

A levels are better because they're doing 3 subjects instead of 10 (why, ds2's school, WHY?). Most A levels seem to be 3 2-hour exams instead of 2 3-hour exams now, which is better. But A levels are much higher stakes if they need grades for uni.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 14/05/2024 09:23

I did O levels.

It wasn't uncommon to have 3 papers a day. There were so many exam boards in those days that clashes were inevitable, For 4 papers there were evening supervision arrangements. Fortunately none that I ever experienced! All subjects had a shirt paper, a long paper and a multiple response paper I'm sure. Definitely 3 papers per subject!! 27 papers!

I'm sure the period of exams was shorter. Exams in May were rare - maybe language orals and practicals. Written exams were all after half term, and done by the end of June.

Good luck to all GCSE candidates and their parents! Our turn next year.

Negangirlxx · 14/05/2024 10:27

My longest exam was my 10 hour art exam. Two full days in the same classroom, with the usual morning break, and lunch break. It was the only exam where we were allowed to listen to iPods! 😂

(I’m definitely aging myself here, aren’t I?)

Stoufer · 14/05/2024 10:38

Shinyandnew1 · 14/05/2024 08:42

finally a week day off on June 5th for the first time since may 10th! Is this normal?

There should be a week of half term at the end of May, so no exams for at least 5 days and two weekends-does she not have this? June 5th should not be the first week day off since May 10th!

Otherwise, yes-it’s brutal and constant and I’m not sure it’s the best way to assess pupils. I’d go back to much more of a mix of coursework and exams if I was in charge, to take the pressure off. I loved some of my bits of coursework. There’s no reason why English has to be a memory test of quotations either.

Re: English Lit as a memory test of quotations… I agree - it’s completely ridiculous and massively disadvantages those with working memory issues (eg students with dyslexia). I did O-levels (and some were 16+ exams, where you are awarded both O level and CSE), and English Literature was purely coursework. I think it was 12 essays, in a folder. Very straightforward, and reduced the stress significantly. I think things need to change. Getting a dc with SEN successfully through the gcse exams is an absolute nightmare…

WhereAreWeNow · 14/05/2024 11:04

tridento · 14/05/2024 08:05

Yep. Normal. GCSEs are the worst. They are worse for intensity that a-levels and uni exams imo as a) there are so many. Up to mid 20 exams and b) they are so young and the pressure is huge.
I don't think you could create a more mentally unhealthy program if you tried

Completely agree. I think it's the most gruelling set of exams because of the breadth of topics and the sheer number of exams. I can't wait for DD to get through to the other side and put this behind her.

TripleDaisySummer · 14/05/2024 11:11

I don't remember it being this intense though did have odd morning and afternoon.

DS last year apparently was more spread out as a covid concession - but I thought it was insane and that's being in Wales so having taken some in Y10 and Nov and with coursework\exam conditions work in classrooms\oral exams.

DS this year Y12 Wales so 40% of A-levels sat now - taking complementary subjects - maths, further maths physics and computer science - exam everyday this week and 4 days next week. DD1 A-level last year and As level year before seemed more spread out and were a more usual combination.

And then I will have to worry about having A levels and GCSEs at the same time for DC3 and DC4 in two years time...!

Had DC in England four school years apart so expect two twice have GCSE and A-levels at same time - life brought us to Wales and as they have Y10 and Y12 exams on top as well - doesn't seem to make GCSE in Y11 any easier as they do so many more - older DC both have 13 GCSE each which is ridiculous - colleges and sixth form still ask for 5 above C GCSE with English and maths in there.

BeaLola · 14/05/2024 11:36

Can I ask a question - when I was flitting on education topic last year I remember posters saying what grades theirvDS/DD received on results day but sone posters knew marks per subject - do you get told exact mark as standard ir do you have to ask school per subject ? Just bracing myself for August ...

Panicmode1 · 14/05/2024 12:51

Negangirlxx · 14/05/2024 10:27

My longest exam was my 10 hour art exam. Two full days in the same classroom, with the usual morning break, and lunch break. It was the only exam where we were allowed to listen to iPods! 😂

(I’m definitely aging myself here, aren’t I?)

My son has just done his art exam too and they weren't allowed any music or noise at all!!!!

Bobbotgegrinch · 14/05/2024 13:05

DD's doing hers at the moment, I did mine about 25 years ago and it doesn't seem to have changed much. I would sometimes have 5 in a week, once 3 in a day.

DD's seem a bit top heavy, she's got 9 in the 2 weeks before half term and then only 6 in the 3 weeks after half term, but I suppose it depends on what subjects you end up doing.

Bobbotgegrinch · 14/05/2024 13:07

And it could be worse, was reading the other week about South Korea, they do theirs in a single day

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_Scholastic_Ability_Test

God forbid you have an off day!

College Scholastic Ability Test - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_Scholastic_Ability_Test

Waspie · 14/05/2024 13:26

BeaLola · 14/05/2024 11:36

Can I ask a question - when I was flitting on education topic last year I remember posters saying what grades theirvDS/DD received on results day but sone posters knew marks per subject - do you get told exact mark as standard ir do you have to ask school per subject ? Just bracing myself for August ...

DS did the short course RS GCSE last year and the score, as well as the grade, was on the letter.

Negangirlxx · 14/05/2024 13:47

Panicmode1 · 14/05/2024 12:51

My son has just done his art exam too and they weren't allowed any music or noise at all!!!!

Show quote history

Oh god that would have killed me off!
I did mine around 2009, so they’ve probably really tightened up the rules since then. We weren’t allowed to talk, but we were allowed iPods/MP3 players.

JuiceBoxJuggler · 14/05/2024 13:57

Yes, normal, this is GCSEs.

RampantIvy · 14/05/2024 13:58

TripleDaisySummer · 14/05/2024 11:11

I don't remember it being this intense though did have odd morning and afternoon.

DS last year apparently was more spread out as a covid concession - but I thought it was insane and that's being in Wales so having taken some in Y10 and Nov and with coursework\exam conditions work in classrooms\oral exams.

DS this year Y12 Wales so 40% of A-levels sat now - taking complementary subjects - maths, further maths physics and computer science - exam everyday this week and 4 days next week. DD1 A-level last year and As level year before seemed more spread out and were a more usual combination.

And then I will have to worry about having A levels and GCSEs at the same time for DC3 and DC4 in two years time...!

Had DC in England four school years apart so expect two twice have GCSE and A-levels at same time - life brought us to Wales and as they have Y10 and Y12 exams on top as well - doesn't seem to make GCSE in Y11 any easier as they do so many more - older DC both have 13 GCSE each which is ridiculous - colleges and sixth form still ask for 5 above C GCSE with English and maths in there.

DD's school did 2 GCSEs in year 10 the rest in year 11, AS levels in year 12 and A levels in year 13.

I'm glad I only had to go through that once.

Shinyandnew1 · 14/05/2024 18:03

Stoufer · 14/05/2024 10:38

Re: English Lit as a memory test of quotations… I agree - it’s completely ridiculous and massively disadvantages those with working memory issues (eg students with dyslexia). I did O-levels (and some were 16+ exams, where you are awarded both O level and CSE), and English Literature was purely coursework. I think it was 12 essays, in a folder. Very straightforward, and reduced the stress significantly. I think things need to change. Getting a dc with SEN successfully through the gcse exams is an absolute nightmare…

Show quote history

Yes, my English was the same for GCSE in the 90s. We had to submit a portfolio of our best x number of essays from Years 10/11. I thought that was really sensible!