number 35. number of school weeks until exams start 29 (week beginning: 11 th may) number of holiday...
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Number of school weeks until exams start 29 (Week beginning: 11th May)
Number of holiday weeks 6(October, Christmas, February, Easter)
Number of weeks until mock exams
Seven weeks this half term plus five weeks after October half term -plus October half term!
• On average the number of exams your child will sit over the exam period
• English (3), Maths (2), Science (3/6/9), plus four options
• 2 weeks before May half term and then 3 weeks after that
Teenage Myths
• I’ve got no homework… • It doesn’t matter how I do in the
mocks…• I can re-do my coursework…. • The best way to revise is…..• My target grades are B’s, so I will be
OK…
Changes to Exams from last year.
• All exams are linear with terminal exams at end of Year 11.
• No re-sits/multiple chances *.• Controlled assessments are units, moderated &
awarded at end of Year 11.• English Language is now:
60% written exam40% controlled assessmentSpeaking & Listening is graded separately.
• *Last years Core Science (Science A) will be able to re-sit in Yr 11 but 1st entry grade counts for the school.
• The mock exams will be run to a ‘normal” exam timetable (9.00am and 1.00pm start times).
Dates
•Reports; 29th Oct.
•Mock Exams; 8th Dec.
•Results Day; 14th Jan.
•Parents Evening; 26th Feb.•Easter;28th Mar – 13th April•Exams Start; 11th May
Other important dates re: Progression post 16.
• Opportunities at post 16 Evening. 11th Nov.
• Post 16 Open Evening. 15th Jan.
• 1:1 Interviews begin re: Post 16 option choices.
2nd March
Other Information
Tracking 1st Half-term (October)Data Drops• January• FebruaryParents Evening• March• April
Need to hit the ground running.
1st Indication of progress will be from the reports issued in October.
Preparation for Mocks• Must have a structured, planned approach.
• Not ‘How much do I know without revising’.
GCSE English Literature (9715)
Exam Board AQATwo Levels of entry –
FoundationHigher
Your son/daughter will know which they are entered for by October half term
GCSE English Literature
• Students completed the coursework element in Y10 worth 25% of their total mark
All students will have their results in the next two weeks, subject to moderation
• We are now working towards the two written exams in May
Unit 1 (1hr 30) – ‘Of Mice and Men’ and ‘DNA’ Unit 2 (1hr 15) – ‘The Moon on the Tide’ Anthology - the ‘Relationships’ cluster and an unseen poetry question.
English Language• Two routes –
AQA GCSE English Language (4705) – two levels – FoundationHigher
Cambridge iGCSE English Language (0522)
You will have been informed by letter if your son/daughter is being entered for the iGCSE, if not it will be AQA GCSE
English Language
Both routes have an element of coursework - GSCE students have started this and have received their marks to date – they still have 2 pieces to do • ‘Of Mice and Men’ – before October half term• Spoken Language study – Jan/FebiGCSE students have 4 short assignments to complete before Christmas – 3 written and one Speaking and Listening.The coursework component is 40% for GCSE and 60% for iGCSE of the total mark.
English Language
Both routes have a final written examination in May/June –GCSE Unit 1 (2hr 15) – Section A tests reading, Section B tests writing.iGCSE Paper 1 (Core) (1hr 45) – two questions testing both reading and writing
Three Top Tips for English• Become familiar with the texts your son/daughter
is studying and discuss them.
• Past papers and mark schemes are available for both routes on their respective websites.
• http://www.aqa.org.uk/exams-administration/exams-guidance/find-past-papers-and-mark-schemes
• http://www.cie.org.uk/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-igcse-english-first-language-uk-0522/past-papers/
• Encourage your son/daughter to read and discuss non-fiction texts e.g. newspapers, leaflets, magazines
Revision Guides• English Literature – specific text guides are
commercially available to buy • English Language guides are available in the
library or to buy commercially (Pearson ‘Always Learning’ Revise AQA GCSE – by Tier)
• English Language workbooks also available commercially (Pearson ‘Always Learning’ Revise AQA GCSE – by Tier)
• Cambridge iGCSE 0522 study guides are available commercially
End of year 10 exam
• Every student has received an individual list of the topics based on this test that they need to work on during this term
• This work is supported with online and paper resources and of course by their teachers
Top Tip for Maths• Be positive about maths – it is a key qualification for all
students• Encourage them to begin working independently – 30 mins
twice a week at this stage would be ideal• Don’t revise things that they already know how to do –
challenge themselves to improve/ perfect 1 new skill each time they revise.
• Don’t be discouraged – we all make mistakes but over time these will reduce and the marks will improve.
• Practise, Practise, Practise!!!
Maths Revision Guides
One revision guide, one workbook sold as a pair.
They cost £5 (50%RRP) for the pair.
GCSE Sciences
Exam Board AQA
Two Routes
Science A and Additional Science
Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Both routes prepare students for Level 3 study of Science subjects
Science A and Additional Science
Science AStudents took the Science A qualification in
year 10. They have their result.
Students can retake this qualification this year. They must resit all three exams (B1, C1 and P1) in June.
Retake ISA date: Tuesday 11th November
Science A and Additional Science
Additional Science
This qualification is completely separate from Science A.
Students will take one exam in Biology (B2), Chemistry (C2) and Physics (P2) in May.
ISA date: Thursday 5th February
Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Students will take three exams in each subject in May and June. These marks are combined with the ISA mark to give an overall grade.
All modules have equivalent weighting (25%)
Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Biology ISA date: Wednesday 1st October
Chemistry ISA : Completed in Year 10
Physics ISA : To be completed in lessons during the last week of September
Resit ISA : Thursday 5th February
What is an ISA?
Investigative Skills Assignment
Research
Exam 1: Hypothesis, Plan, Results Table
Practical Work
Graph
Exam 2: Own results analysis, Case Studies
What is an ISA?
Specimen ISAs and examiners commentaries are available on the AQA website
http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/support/pdf/AQA-SCIENCE-CONTROLLED-ASSESSMENT-LEAFLET.PDF
QWC Questions (6 Marks)
In this question you will be assessed on using good English, organising information clearly and using specialist terms where appropriate.
Students are presented with an A4 side of information to read, often including charts or graphs.
QWC Questions (6 Marks)
They are then asked to • describe a process • give advantages/disadvantages • evaluate a new development • explain the data
In this question you will be assessed on using good English, organising information clearly and using specialist terms where appropriate.
Three Top Tips for Science
Download past exam papers and mark schemes from AQA website
Watch and make notes from the website myGCSEScience
Encourage your child to use the BBC website:– use the bitesize revision materials– watch science programmes from iPlayer– browse the scientific news articles