Y11 2025-26 - Trying not to melt and pushing through the final weeks

[Stowickthevast]

I finished the thread so started a new one. Welcome all Y11 parents, support and solidarity for the next big push here!

Thank you. Had no idea there were that many. I believe DC is doing foundation maths and science. I feel so clueless and responsible that I can’t support DC.

what about science?

Are all the papers in different days?

How long is each paper? How many questions 🙈? Are they on different days?

Oh dd1 just messaged me to say she cried (edexcel higher paper 2). Maths is her big bear and she needs a 6 for a level science and she’s been working so hard. Consistently getting good 7s in past papers so was feeling hopeful going in. Her twin sister is much more math-y and was hoping for an 8/9 and to take on to a level.

some comfort if they all find it tough though, grade boundaries etc. better than dd1 finding it hard and everyone else finding it ok…..

Science they do 2 physics, 2 biology and 2 chemistry. I think the foundation exams are 1h30, higher are 1h45. Maths is 1h30 per exam. English exams are all 1h45 except Literature paper 2 is 2h15min. All on different days.

ohh, that is a lot for science

Last year a 6 was 50.4% so even if it didn't go terribly well, she's probably done more than enough to secure a 6. A 7 is 65%, it can also not go incredibly well and still be good enough for a 7. Tell her not to worry.

Been lurking but DS also a bit upset about higher maths today. He’s been working so so hard as he wants to do Economcs at A level an needs a 7 in maths. First paper went well but this one he said was very hard. Trying to reassure about grade boundaries and that he still has one more paper.

Feel for them!

Do be careful with english. It really does need to be specific to the spec - as the way different specs require the content and structure of answers is slightly different. Hopefully the school have given them techniques for each type of question for English language.

Thank you. Mr Salles does AQA and I have warned DD not to rely on him, she knows to use what she has learnt in class, I was so scared after Lit paper 1 when she said it went really well, I followed something I saw on youtube last night!

Haven’t heard from DD yet, she’s trapped in a History revision session, but I’m worried for her now. Also wanting to do A level and hoping for an 8 (or ideally a 9 as she’d like to get the same as her big brother).

My daughter was also hoping for an 8, but she said Edexcel iGCSE was insanely hard 😢

to pile on the misery, geography this pm - dd2s favourite and she is pressuring herself to get a 9 so in a tizzy, dd1s second most hated subject after DT. She used to be really good at it but disruptive class/poor teacher means she slipped from a 7/8 to a 4/5. Given she’s dropping it like hotcakes post exam
it wasnt worth a battle but I did want her to at least try. But if this morning was awful I suspect she’ll crumple :(

I am away with work today so won’t see them until bedtime. Dh has been given a three line wip to offer cuddles and comfort but history tells us this will be akin to being comforted by Stalin….

Dd said OCR higher was not great but thinks shes done okay....

I just messaged my son to ask how maths went. His reply: 'idk. not great'
(Edexel Maths Paper 2 foundation)
😕

No idea what board but DD said Maths higher went really well. Currently got revision before Geography exam so will not find out till later.
Till the results are out no one really knows how they did as grade boundaries are all over the place.

DD Just googles the topic she wants to look up or maths question and clicks on a few links till she finds the one that works for her brain !

I agree @Tebheag . Also, last year's grade boundaries for Edexcel higher math were incredibly high. The 2023 and 2024 were lower. So it's probably not worth agonising over. I feel unless you are borderline in your mocks and past papers, maths is probably the one subject where they are most likely to get their predicted grade...

DD said that edexcel iGCSE maths paper 2 this morning was easy. But she’s a maths girl so was never going to find it too challenging.

Only 6 papers left, thank the lord! No more this week, 4 next week and 2 the following Monday. And thankfully all essay subjects long gone (DD hates essay subjects) with only further maths and science paper 2’s left.

Can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!

I’m worried now , DS2 will be in Geography now . He had the IGCSE maths this morning .. and so far I’ve seen the two extremes on here about that one . He needs a 6 .., this time last year he was struggling to get a 4 . He has worked so hard on his maths . I hope if it was hard he’s managed to put it behind him

With maths I do not care as long as he passes! Everything crossed

Same here. All we need is a pass.
Grade boundaries have been creeping up in recent years to get back to pre Covid levels.

Oh God, the wait to find out how Maths and Geography went.

DS is usually pretty relaxed, but I think the sheer amount of content for Geography has made him feel stressed out.

Looking forward to being back to single exam days only.

Ds sent a message as im in work so haven't seen him.
Apparently aqa higher maths was "quite difficult but not too bad".
He is really wanting a 9 even though we are trying to get him not to be disappointed if it doesn't happen. As long as he passes but its his favourite subject and he wants to do a levels

Hoping everyone gets that maths grade they need :)

Agree re GBs in fact I would look no further back than 2024, then skip back to ds2’s year 2019. No point at all looking at 2022 or tbh 2023 really.

All the best to all for the rest of the week.