Taking GCSEs early

Gleeful

Badger_Lady wrote: »

I did a couple of GCSEs early... I went to Grammar school so a lot of us were advanced in different subjects.

A word of warning on music though - I was a grade 5 piano, voice, flute and music theory when I was in Year 7, but the GCSE was a very different subject with a lot of "history of music" rather than the ability to compose and play it. I was in all the school orchestras and choirs, performed at cathedrals around the country, composed a wind quintet that was played internationally, did my GCSE at the normal age and still got a B!

I teach AQA and it is focused on composition, performance and listening. There are some "facts" required, but a good knowledge of music theory is more necessary.

adelight wrote: »

I play a different instrument, but after doing grade 8 a lot of people would carry on to do a diploma in performance. I don't know much about the specifics as I never got that far
If she's at grade 5 already it's entirely possible she could have passed her grade 8 by the time she comes to do her GCSEs. It's definitely a lot more enjoyable than music GCSE, and it's true that some really talented players struggle with the history and little facts that GCSE music involves.

Don't forget if she wants to do Grade 8 ABRSM she will need her Grade 5 theory. If she does Trinity Guildhall, she won't. Both ABRSM and TG exams above grade 6 have UCAS points attached as well.

Some of the most able pupils at my last school did AS Music alongside GCSE during an after school session. I thought that was great as it meant they could do another subject at AS in lower sixth, then do the A level Music as well.

In my new school we do BTEC. I'm thinking of allowing the more able pupils to do the GCSE in their own time as well.

Mado

Gleeful wrote: »

Don't forget if she wants to do Grade 8 ABRSM she will need her Grade 5 theory. If she does Trinity Guildhall, she won't. Both ABRSM and TG exams above grade 6 have UCAS points attached as well.

She is doing the ABRSM and will hopefully take the grade 5 theory in the autumn.

mrcow

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

You can actually be too knowledgeable to pass GCSEs well.

Tell me about it. I've recently been shocked about some of the misinformation/wording that is touted in some of the science papers.



Mado - don't forget that she'll get UCAS points for her grade 6-8 exams (probably more useful than a GSCE music in the long term?). She can also get more UCAS points for her music theory exams.

Mado

mrcow wrote: »

Mado - don't forget that she'll get UCAS points for her grade 6-8 exams (probably more useful than a GSCE music in the long term?). She can also get more UCAS points for her music theory exams.

The entire secondary education system is new to me...:eek:!!!

adelight

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

If you think that GCSE language teaching takes a "rounded approach"
then I'm afraid you're sadly mistaken.

I probably used the word "rounded" wrong, but in my experience of doing language GCSEs they do a little bit of everything- reading, writing, listening, grammar, not as much speaking. When people are generally much better at having a conversation, than writing with perfect grammar, in a language they speak or learn at home. Or maybe that's just the experience of me and my friends and we're anomalies?

ViolaLass

My background - grade 8 in five instruments, DipABRSM in three, degree and masters in music.

With that in mind, I would say that the question of whether she should do music GCSE early or concentrate on further grades/diploma etc (although, of course, she could do both) depends on where her interests lie. When I did my music GCSE, at the normal age, I played two instruments, one to grade 8 level and I found the GCSE deathly boring. The level required in everything was just so low compared to what I had achieved and I found the grade exams a lot more satisfying.

I can't remember which board I was with (this was about 10 years ago) and I imagine that makes some difference but if your daughter particularly enjoys playing rather than, say, listening to a piece of the Beatles and saying whether it's a bass guitar or acoustic guitar playing (that really was one of the questions I got), then she may find the grades more interesting, plus she will be able to go at her own pace.

Also, if she gets good at the cello or at singing, there are high level groups she could aim for - National Youth Orchestra and Choir, for example. I was a member of the former and that was definitely one of the highlights of my teenage years. She'd have to be at least grade 8 level to try but it would teach her far more than music GCSE ever would and would look fantastic on her university application, should she want to go.

poet123

A lot of schools encourage the sitting of GCSE'S early. My son is in yr 9 when he goes back after summer and is being groomed to sit his Maths and IT gcse's in June 2011, and possibly English too if staffing allows. Two years before he should actually sit them. Apparently that will enable him to concentrate on achieving higher grades in the remaining subjects. I will be monitoring the situation closely as I am not convinced that it is not too early, but his current grades support the idea he will achieve top grades.

I would ask to see the head of year and discuss the options, at the end of the day, an A* achieved at the correct time is worth more than a B achieved two years early.

Oldernotwiser

adelight wrote: »

When people are generally much better at having a conversation, than writing with perfect grammar, in a language they speak or learn at home.

You get very little grammar teaching at GCSE level and even an A* student wouldn't be writing with perfect grammar. I agree with you that they do a bit of every rhing though.

7891368

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

You get very little grammar teaching at GCSE level and even an A* student wouldn't be writing with perfect grammar. I agree with you that they do a bit of every rhing though.

Hardly any, you don't write anything of any 'real length'. Your teaching is geared towards exams generally, grammar is not required to pass.

Mado

ViolaLass wrote: »

Also, if she gets good at the cello or at singing, there are high level groups she could aim for - National Youth Orchestra and Choir, for example. I was a member of the former and that was definitely one of the highlights of my teenage years. She'd have to be at least grade 8 level to try but it would teach her far more than music GCSE ever would and would look fantastic on her university application, should she want to go.

She definitely enjoys playing the piano now and will very often play when she's got a bit of time.
The cello is "harder" as it's not satisfying to play on your own.
She chose her school mostly because of the music and they have splendid music facilities. This year 4 students from that school are joining the National Youth Orchestra!
We'll see how she does with the singing; her great grandmother was an opera singer before the war put a stop to her career.:eek:
I'm very glad for all the advice on the music GCSE because I really don't know much about the grades and the GCSE compare, All I want is for her to enjoy it and take whatever benefits she can get from her achievements while still enjoying the subject.

poet123 wrote: »

I would ask to see the head of year and discuss the options, at the end of the day, an A* achieved at the correct time is worth more than a B achieved two years early.

I completely agree and that's why we are looking at 2 subjects that she wants to do alongside what her major subjects will be, although she could go for either.
Her form tutor has been rather disapointing and we haven't heard much from the school all year. However, her school report is startingly good and we have good grounds to go and discuss.
She's just gone to France a week ahead of us today, with some French GCSE papers that she apparently started on the train and gae to my sister to mark.:cool: If she's that motivated, she should fly through!!!:rotfl: