A levels 2018-2020. long wait 2

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2childmum
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Location: S E London

Re: A levels 2018-2020. long wait 2

Post by 2childmum »

DD has mocks this coming week - she has 9 papers in 5 days, all with extra time, so I think she will be shattered by the end. The chemistry spec won't be finished until closer to Easter (although her spec has a paper based on a pre-released article which won't be released until nearly the end of March, so that is partly why). Maths and F maths were supposed to be finished by now, but one of the two teachers broke her leg in two places at Christmas and has only just re-appeared - school couldn't find a replacement as she was teaching two of the optional modules and none of the supply teachers knew enough to teach it.

DD has been having to keep up with homework, so despite working at Christmas not a lot of revision has been done. Plus she has spent the last three evenings playing in the pit band for the school production. Still - it will give her an idea of what revision she needs to do!
Daogroupie
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Re: A levels 2018-2020. long wait 2

Post by Daogroupie »

Why would the exam board use an unpublished article as part of the spec?

What will happen if the publication is delayed?

Surely the exam board could have found an existing article that covered it?

Why would the school choose an exam board with such a restriction?

Chemistry is not like Latin where only one exam board offers it.


DG
ToadMum
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Re: A levels 2018-2020. long wait 2

Post by ToadMum »

I didn't read it as 'unpublished'? Rather, that a paper will be used as a source document, but what that paper will be will only be released on a certain date (rather than the spec saying, Paper 3 will be based on...')? I may be wrong, though.

Is this an indie?
Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.Groucho Marx
kenyancowgirl
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Re: A levels 2018-2020. long wait 2

Post by kenyancowgirl »

Pre-release source info, prior to exams, on a specific date, is common in lots of subject specifications. It is not uncommon - I'm surprised DG is not familiar with the concept.
Tinkers
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Re: A levels 2018-2020. long wait 2

Post by Tinkers »

kenyancowgirl wrote:Pre-release source info, prior to exams, on a specific date, is common in lots of subject specifications. It is not uncommon - I'm surprised DG is not familiar with the concept.
Indeed. DD has something similar with her gcse textiles.
2childmum
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Joined: Sun Jul 27, 2008 4:02 pm
Location: S E London

Re: A levels 2018-2020. long wait 2

Post by 2childmum »

Just to confirm - it is a pre-released article, not one which they are waiting to be published.

Although this is a less common spec, it is used by both state and private schools - it is the OCR B (Salters) exam. It covers the same content as the other specs, but is arranged into 'stories' which puts all the chemistry into context. DD has found it a really good way to learn. I like the idea of the pre-released article - it develops skills which will be useful for uni, in terms of reading longer scientific articles and picking out the relevant parts.
doodles
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Re: A levels 2018-2020. long wait 2

Post by doodles »

Well that's that then. What a monumental mess. That statement should not have been made without all the backup information being simultaneously available. What a poor way to treat the next generation (of voters!)
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad !
Tinkers
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Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 2:05 pm
Location: Reading

Re: A levels 2018-2020. long wait 2

Post by Tinkers »

doodles wrote:Well that's that then. What a monumental mess. That statement should not have been made without all the backup information being simultaneously available. What a poor way to treat the next generation (of voters!)
Absolutely agree. DD is clueless about what happens now as is everyone else. They should have made that sort if announcement without stating what the alternative is.

Hacked off is the polite term.
Tinkers
Posts: 7240
Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 2:05 pm
Location: Reading

Re: A levels 2018-2020. long wait 2

Post by Tinkers »

On the plus side, in under 3 hours the year13s over whatsapp have planned and organised their leaving celebrations for the next two days and her group of friends have organised two early birthday parties.

Project management skills.
tiffinboys
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Location: Surrey

Re: A levels 2018-2020. long wait 2

Post by tiffinboys »

Bravo.
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