Y11 2023-24 thread 4

[Techno56]

New thread for GCSE survival 🙂

So glad to hear that it all worked out ok in the end for your DS! Yes we’re both really concerned for his Uni place. He needs AAB but predicted higher. Insurance offer is the same but they do take lower grades more likely to go into clearing but it’s a competitive course.
By all accounts this years exam was worse than 2023 which I know had teachers complaining to AQA. And grade barriers are going to be lower- so likely even less than 50% for an A! Teachers on X/Twitter are attempting the paper and confirming it’s horrendous and started off with awful questions.
DS seems ok this morning and started revising for his exam this afternoon! But he’s a laid back child. I’m sure others won’t be able to cope so well.

DS seems OK this morning after yesterday's big upset over English. He's positive about biology and says its his better one of the two.

I just need him to stay positive for maths on Monday, if someone offered passes in maths and English and fails in the rest I'd take it! (He has 2 gcses already from 2 taken last year)

Can't wait for it to be over so he can have a lovely summer.
..

our worst year was GCSE and A levels on same year 😩

Ouch44 - sounds like he has got the right approach, hope things turn out well for him.

And in response to all those saying that a two year gap is really awful, I’d like to add that a three year gap is also really awful, but it is relentless every year for years! (GCSEs then ‘ucas’ exams (year 12, for predicted grades for ucas application), then A levels, then gcses, then ucas exams (year 12), then A levels again! Aargh!!

got a little more out of dd about English last night. Looks like she did her best with it and is pleased that she was able to do that. Unfortunately in the past her best is a 4 and she flunked paper 1. but at least she knows she has done her best, and managed an English exam without a blind panic and we can go from there. Would love her to get a 4, so we can be done with it forever!

dd1 did A levels last year and there were so many last year who dropped grades. My cousin is an admissions tutor at a big uni and he siad they had an unprecedented number not make their offer grades.

I am impressed with the numbe rof you who have kids who actually allow you to help with revision /flashcards etc. None of mine have ever allowed that! This year is the closest I have got to actual content, and even then I am only there to 'support' not actually help.

DS keeps telling me that this is going to be the longest summer holiday of his life after GCSEs. He cannot wait for the rest.

We were out for dinner last night and DS actually opened up a bit about exams (the trick I've discovered is to keep feeding him!) He said Biology 2 paper is really difficult - so much content. He is fine with most of it but says homeostasis topic is enormous and they could ask about any of it. Also, far more required practicals than paper 1.

I got him up about an hour ago and he had slept well and has had (what he calls) a good breakfast. I'm taking him into school soon as they are having a 2 hour revision session with the biology department ahead of the exam.

He's my only, so I just have to do this once - thank goodness!

Good luck to all our DC for their exams today!

I'm very jealous of your schools doing revision sessions. DD is at a selective school and they don't offer anything like that- she's been on study leave since two days before the first exam.

For the most part it's probably been fine, as the kids are self motivated (and have pushy parents) and I don't suppose it would make much difference to her cohort if the school put on revision sessions as they already have an 80% 7-9 pass rate but there's a few subjects that I think DD may end up with a 5/6 and I wonder if, were she at a school that offered more targeted intervention, would she be a 6/7 instead...

I hate afternoon exams. Too much waiting 🫠

Is this triple? Dd thought there wasn't as much content (combined). Worried!

Yes triple higher AQA paper @dinomirror

That's interesting @BlackBean2023 - each school seems to approach it differently. DS started his GCSE options subjects in year 9 so has pretty much spent since October half term of year 11 in revision classes. They have been good about the revision sessions and masterclasses in holidays. They are part of a MAT and seem very competitive within the MAT and with the other comps in the borough.

Me too @Techno56 - this is the first time he's had an afternoon exam without a morning one too. DS seemed very happy though - get up late, leisurely shower, revise, mooch around a bit. I would have been bouncing off the walls! Takes all sorts

> fingers crossed not resit required but ... <

Yes! It's going to feel amazing next weekend we have lots planned!

Cannot.Wait

Ditto

Feeling so sorry for all those with the tail exams exams after next weekend. 😢

Isn’t GCSE maths higher like this? I always remind dd she only has to get just over half right to get to a 7. Lunacy.

Same with my DD, it's the kids that do double science and both history and geography, guessing your son does Spanish too?

A level Biology is the same. My DD desperately needed an A and got it with something like 52%. Its ridiculous!

Up until now they've had full school days at DD's school with exams / revision sessions / early morning revision etc timetabled in, attendance expected as normal school days. Yesterday they tell them they only have to come in for the exams from now on. With the result that DD didn't go to the science or maths intervention sessions this morning 😣
Really hoping she goes to the other sessions because I suspect she revises better at school, she's one of those that will NOT let help her at all though so kind of hard to tell.

But for GCSE maths the grades go from (3)/4-9 (you aren't really meant to get a 3 on Higher). So 4,5,6,7,8,9 -> 7 is only half way up the required grades, so not as daft as it seems. (Given they feel a need for a grade 9).

Any news on how Biology 2 went this morning?

It's a pm exam for AQA at least..

Thanks @Techno56

1:30 start for AQA Biology

It's also discouraging. We have this conversation about the Higher Maths paper where anything beyond the staples is where you start moving into grade 8/9.

DD will be happy with a solid 6 in maths but likens the whole experience to being hungry until someone puts a dinner that's too big in front of you and you can't find the appetite to eat anything!

@CactusPeach yep Maths, Spanish, History, Chemistry, Geography and Physics next week, it's a stinker of a week.