Scottish prelims - what are they all about??

[Sherbert37]

DS1 and DD have just done prelims for Standard Grades. Both have done ok but not wonderfully, but then neither did much revision. Do these grades matter?

How come all schools do prelims at different times, and there is even talk of teachers giving pupils back their papers to 'find a couple of extra marks'. Seems like a waste of time as they have not completed the course in any subjects yet. Any info?

they are basically a 'practise run' but kids can be moved class depending on results. If someone was to perform significanly better in their prelim than their real exam then they can use this as a basis for appeal.

Disclaimer - this was the way things were when I was in school doing exams so from 1995-97 really.

its a practice run for the main exams BUT if they do get consistent grades throughout the year and then fluff the final through nerves/illness etc then the prelim can be given as an example of work that they have previously achieved and an appeal can be made

if that makes sense

am with schneebly on the disclaimer btw

Oh well, we'll have to hope for great things for the real exams then as these results are not going to set the world on fire.

Also, you can't re-sit SGs can you? I am English and this is all new to me (only lived here for 18 years...). I got a D for one of my O'levels and just turned up in the Nov and resat. That's not an option here is it?

no resits just an appeal based on continous course work and the prelim results

Thanks - have learned more from MN tonight than from their school.

My dd IS IN s3 and her school lets them do mock prelims this yr, which will enable them to know what is what etc, but as long as my dd knuckles down, she has been forcast for credit level all the way

Some schools will do a second prelim nearer the time of the exam. Does this happen in your children's school?
If it is a possibility, I would advise them to do the necessary revision. As well as the things already mentioned, the estimates/predicted grades the school sends to the exam board will be based on these results. Also, if your child wants to sit Genaral and Credit but has done poorly in these papers, the school may make the decision that it would be better for him/her to sit General and Foundtion papers.
Remember also that even if your child performs less well than expected in the exam, they are not guaranteed an appeal.
Although the course is not finished, and the prelim exam has to be at the level of the actual exam, your children will not be tested on content they have not yet covered.

Hi can anyone in Scotland offer me any advice . Do kids who are in S3 sit prelims ? And are they at different times depending on high school . ( Glasgow )
My D is in S2 the now but heading into S3 soon .

This a Zombie thread and you'd be better posting in the Scotsnet topic anyway.

But in response to your question: prelims are not normally sat in S3 (unless the pupils are being presented for an/some Nat 5[s] early) as they are the "practice" run for the actual Nat 5s.

Some schools sit progress (I suppose it's the best word) exams in earlier years. I think Jordanhill is one. I don't know about the private schools.

Different schools sit their prelims at different times: some before Christmas and some after Christmas. It's up to the school when they choose to organise them. Not all schools give study leave either for Nat 5s. In fact, according to Glasgow City Council, they're not supposed to - but some still do.

Thanks xx