Year 11 - 2024/2025: And relax! Support Thread for the summer holidays.

[QueenMabby]

New thread to carry us all through the summer as we transition from dealing with stressed teens to dealing with bored teens!

Yes. I was quite annoyed at the time. Dd was happy with her grades though, which is the main thing

Doesn’t the teacher check the script though to see if a review is worthwhile? I’m pretty sure DDs chemistry paper was read by her actual chemistry teacher and not the exam officer even if it was her who did the paperwork. Anyway, I still stand that it’s good to let the school suggest if they think a review may be necessary and that if a teen preferred not to see their paper then the school could still do the review, providing the DC gave permission.

I think @MrsHamlet was referring to my post where I said teachers should sent scripts to you when they request to review them but sometimes forget, it's exam officer and staff who do that but I was just generalising as it doesn't really matter. But subject specific teachers who need to review it yes go through them, but exam officers would be the ones who do the actual request to the exam board and send it to students if they want to see it.

And yes you are right - teachers and the school can do the review without the student having to also look through the paper or look at it. It's just that when they request it for a review most of the time, they should at least ask you if you want the pdf sent to you as well so you can look through it. Obviously students can say no if they don't want to read through it.

This thread is so good for clearing up this sort of stuff. I had no idea that DC could request scripts unless it was for a review or that they could view them even if it was for a review. Thanks.

I look at every single one of the papers I mark that we are considering for a review, whether that be because we think they need reviewing or because the candidate has asked.

BUT this is not part of my job and it takes a long time to do properly.

I stand by the fact that someone who knows what they're doing should look at papers before they go for review - but it's a significant pressure on time at the start of the year.

It's helpful to all posters whose child is dc1 to have this all cleared up.

Years ago I did pay for 1 review for Ds1's A'level because we both agreed it was worth a try, even though he had his place, but nothing changed.

I didn't bother with any of Ds1's GCSE's. But, I'm still peeved to this day over his RE GCSE which the whole school did shockingly, eg being predicted an 8 and getting an 5, and the Deputy Head was irritatingly really casual about it.

Ds2 hates RE so won't care!

If DD doesn't get a 9 in the subject(s) she consistently got 9s in during KS4, I can't imagine the school reaching out.

Is it only the very high achieving and memorable pupils who would be considered @mrshamlet? The school is quite relaxed.

I got my a level paper reviewed via the college went for a C to a B. They really pushed for it - it was too late for me my AAB and ABB Uni had said no even though that it what I got and I was at my third choice through clearing (that should have been my second choice) so is now just a footnote that it got changed.
But my teacher was the one who did all of the pushing for it

Not at all. Last year I asked for - I think - 5 scripts from my class for me to check.

They were all because there was something odd about the question level marks.

In every case, when I looked at them, I could see what had happened and none went to review.

I looked over a lot more from the cohort - borderline marks at all levels. Very few went for review, and of the ones that did, I can only recall one that moved (because it was the son of a colleague so it sticks in my mind).

In case I forget...good luck to all dc (and their parents!) who will be collecting their results on Thursday 🍀

For review or for certificates etc? I know students who had 6,7 who got certificates for progress and then the really high 8s and 9s as well. Though schools also often ask for the papers/access to scripts for those who've done very well to use with future y10 and y11 classes if they consent. I know I let my school have all my English Lit and Lang, Sociology, History and R.E exam papers, and they used them in lessons with future classes (I heard from students I knew in years below when they saw them and bumped into old teachers a few times).

I think I read a couple of years ago (on here) that scripts 1 mark from the grade boundary were scrutinised more carefully and therefore less likely to change than those maybe 2 marks off.
Does this make any sense though? Does anyone look at scripts after grade boundaries are set? So if DS gets 89, the grade boundary is 90, does anyone check the 89s or is this just not a feasible theory?

I agree with those above who say that reviews should just be for unusual grades or necessary grades (4 in maths, needs a 5, etc) and not for general use.

I don't think that sounds feasible. Can you imagine the thousands of scripts that must be one mark under boundaries across every subject in every board?

They mark first, then set the boundaries.

There were more than half a million candidates for one of the exams I mark.

Ooooooh, yup, that is mightily annoying 🤯😡!… I feel for you ..x

@Sisublondie
I know, right? 😡
I kept my annoyance to myself, though. Dd was - rightfully - very pleased with her 8! ☺️

Yeah I know. When I read it I just thought it sounded reasonable but clearly not!

In fairness this is one of the first years that AI is being used my exam boards (they've made their own programs) only for certain subjects at both GCSE and A-level. Its not doing actual marking just checking that examiners marking seems consistent with what senior examiners want - the senior examiners normally 'pull'some examples when exam papers start being scanned of 23/30 marks in Q1 for Paper 1 English Lit and so and on, 7/30, to show other examiners (they obviously have other training as well). So some of the AIs have been tested/trained on these good examples and bad ones and are currently only proof checking that examiners marking is to standard and consistent - it then flags this on the system if its NOT consistent and they think its wrong and it will be looked iver again by a human (really only have knowledge of AQA and a few others).

As digital GCSEs and A-levels come into force, I imagine they'll be more used of AI (current plans look like this). There's also loads of potential with digital exams to change the future of exams, so initially it will just be the paper online as normal but we could have in years to come for example in MFL a virtual simulation and you're put into a situation (restaurant, school etc and its more interactive). I think it's going to be really exciting to see the future of digital exams and AI in marking (with ethics and good models developed over time). Even if the AI is just used to check those 1-5 marks under the next grade boundary one more time and then flag it on the system if they think it's not right and senior examiners review it again.

Dd1 had two subjects reviewed last year as she was 1 mark away from a 9 in both. Her teachers looked over her papers and decided which papers to review as they suggested only having one paper reviewed for each subject. She went up to a 9 in one subject and no change in the other.

Absolutely!!! As to being very proud and pleased! If a 4 is a C it’s a A**, surely?! 🤷‍♀️😹!! ( yeh, I still don’t get it!)

(*.. with 6 surely being an A!)…🤷‍♀️ 😸.. and, well done!, I’d have done that, too. But, I have a friend who would have majorly kicked off, which isn’t my style.

Fab result, @Whoooo’s daughter!

No because they don't map directly.
4 - low-mid C
5 - high C / low B
6 - mid-high B
7 - A
8 - high A / low A-star
9 - high A-star

(Don't see the point in 9s myself just makes kids with 8s feel they haven't done well enough, but that is a different discussion.)

A 6 is a B, a 4 a low C and and a 5 a high C. 7 is an A, 8 is an A, and a 9 a higher percentage of an A (so an A* sort of).

Only around 2% of students get a 9 as it is a very high percentage of marks lost. Formatting isn't great: 7 = A, 8 = A, 9 = A**.

Sorry I can't get the formating right, but anyways all high grades so all should be proud.
7 = A
8 = A* (a star)
9 = A** (a star x2 sort of)

Hey all, I’ve been reading and trying to digest the excellent knowledge being imparted about marking and grades, etc….@MrsHamlet, @QueenMabby, @TheLivelyViper.. and others .. thank you! 🙏

For those of you who know me, my DS is ND and I am solely 🤞🙏🤞for Grade 4’s ( x4!), for him to get into his College place. I have seen that his college has “ enrolment” on results day 9.30-1pm, with mention made of staff being available to talk to in your results are not what you need.
I think my DS will be like @frozendaisy’s Ratty, and a quick in and out and run for it. I very much doubt I’ll be allowed in. So, my query is, really…….. if he hasn’t got the required grades, would the initial port of call be trying to get back into school ( as pp suggested is possible.. sorry! I’ve read tons and can’t remember whose post.. apologies!).. to see what the marks are, and whether a remark would be advisable?… and take it from there? Before going to the college he has applied to, I mean? I guess we would be better placed to see what his options would be there. Mind you, I’m sure they will only look at the results he has, as oppose to any potential remarked grade?

Sorry, ruminating out loud, I think! I think a lot of us with “ borderline” students, let alone all students looking at grade boundaries must 🤔…

Hope everyone enjoying the sun, 🌞 if you have it!

@Sisublondie yes - I'd ask for the scripts back immediately. You don't want the originals... you want access to scripts.

Then you really need someone who knows what they're doing to have a look at them and advise about whether a review will be likely to change anything.

Reviews open on results day, and you can apply until the end of September - but if a college place depends on it, you'll want to get the request in sooner rather than later.

It should be the candidate who requests any of this, incidentally. Schools and parents can't do that.