I’ve joked from the very introduction of the new GCSE that I wanted to sit the exam with the year 11 group that would be sitting it for the very first time … well .. I’ve only gone and flipping entered!
The idea is not to prove that I can get a 9 (but shouldn’t every teacher that teaches Maths be able to easily achieve that?) the idea is to show students that even though I’m a teacher I’m not going to just “ruck up” on the day having done no preparation and for some students that haven’t started doing anything it is never too late … something is better than nothing. I also know some students struggle to know how to revise in Maths which is why I put together a revision mat/poster a couple of years ago on this blog post ->
As an adult, I know for me that I need to be “doing” maths so my plan is to work through as many papers as I can using the given time (1 1/2 hours) and then MARK IT – I cannot just assume that I’ve got it correct! I know that I will make mistakes and there are a few topics that I need to revisit (I hate transforming functions!). TIP 1: Mark any practice/past papers you complete – you may be perpetuating misconceptions by assuming you are correct!
So, my revision (I’d rather call it preparation!) began today and I still made silly mistakes at the start of the paper … getting too cocky and not checking my answers TIP 2: check your answers twice and if you have time in the exam check them 3 times! As a first attempt I’m happy … some obvious areas of improvement with topics that I haven’t taught for a while (remember I haven’t taught a set 1 or 2 in year 11 for years now!) but I’m annoyed at some silly mistakes I’ve made.
Anyway … wish me luck and I’ll be blogging more about my prep which may be worth sharing the tips I’ll be giving (none of which will be ground-breaking I assure you! but will hopefully be common sense) along the way ..
Wish me luck!
EDIT: Just to confirm that it has been confirmed that by my doing this exam I am precluded from any calculations used in grading and also from the “proportions” awarded at each grade. Needed to say that because some people seem to think that if I get a grade 9 I will be stopping a student from getting a grade … its doesn’t work like that! Like I say, I will not be included because of my age and all calcs etc are being done based on year 11 only!
What a great idea! I might try it myself next year. Good luck !
thank you .. it seemed like a good idea at the time. I’ll let you know in August! x
Hi Mel
I’m in a discussion at the moment & we’re disagreeing & hoping you can help.
This years grade boundaries:
Will they be given as 2, 3 etc or 2-, 3+ etc
Thanks
Sara
they will just be given a plain old grade, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc … no -/+
You’re very brave Mel. I was going to do this, but it all seemed a bit much. Best of luck!
I’ve been doing the same as you, completing papers and then marking them. I’ve done 12 Edexcel papers and 3 Level 9 specific papers.
It’s really good to see how questions are actually structured.
Very brave . I resat A level a few years ago having never taught it in my 22 years teaching . Couldn’t believe how nervous I was sitting in a gym for each exam .
Good Luck
Good Luck Mel! I will probably show your blog to my students just so they understand what prep IS needed!
Good luck and enjoy. I am always fascinated how well students can do in the classroom with past papers but sit them in a room for a “proper” exam and they forget everything! I try to teach them strategies to go back to basics. I teach FE resits, so still doing the legacy this year but am learning loads in prep for teaching resit “new GCSE”
wait so will you be doing the exam next year? in 2018 ?
No just 2017
i am unsure as to whether i will be doing paper 2H and 1H
or if i am going to do the three papers…….
how can i find out?
i am with edexcel pearson and i will be doing my exam in 2018