GCSE mock results

3plus1

scorpio_princess wrote:

Do employers really look into your exam result acheived when you were barely 16?? That seems a bit insane really - I always thought that further educational acheivements almost superceded earlier results. After all, if you have a first class degree from a good uni, I think that says a lot about a person's intelligence and aptitude for learning - why should it matter if you didn't get straight A*s at GCSE?

There are too many students at university, i.e. the demand for graduate jobs is exceeding the supply of graduate jobs. With so many graduates, employers are having to look at a much bigger picture: work experience (including voluntary work), extracurricular activities (including sport), every single grade every achieved from GSCE onwards, any scholarships, bursaries, awards etc...

Insane or not, it's an employers' market at the moment. Forewarned is forearmed. It's bloody ridiculous, but if you know about the situation from an early stage, you can make the most of it. I know several people about to finish their degrees, who aren't even making it past the application stage because they didn't do very much outside of their degree.

scorpio_princess

3plus1 wrote:

There are too many students at university, i.e. the demand for graduate jobs is exceeding the supply of graduate jobs. With so many graduates, employers are having to look at a much bigger picture: work experience (including voluntary work), extracurricular activities (including sport), every single grade every achieved from GSCE onwards, any scholarships, bursaries, awards etc...

Insane or not, it's an employers' market at the moment. Forewarned is forearmed. It's bloody ridiculous, but if you know about the situation from an early stage, you can make the most of it. I know several people about to finish their degrees, who aren't even making it past the application stage because they didn't do very much outside of their degree.

Blimey - people are killing themselves from an early age in order to 'get somewhere' - is it all worth it? I can't and shan't put myself through all that, just so I can get some big-shot job earning loads of money. I'm not driven by money or material possessions, so it would be crazy to put myself in that position - after all, that's what it's about isn't it - earning a 6 figure salary? I have goals and ambitions, but I think there is a lot more to life than getting the absolute top grade in everything you do, being the best at everything - obviously this suits some people, and fair play to them - but to be told all this at about 14 years of age (and sometimes sooner) that the decisions you make now affect the rest of your life - whoa!!! No wonder some kids are so screwed up and end up rebelling as soon as they leave home!

I'd rather be poor and happy than rich and unhappy - and I know a high stress, competitive job would make me unhappy - but that's just me!!

lazymoezy

Its really up to you if you want to use a tutor, I dont think GCSE's are valued as much these days and think they will be barely looked at in a good few years.

I done my GCSE's two years ago...my highest mock grade was D and the rest E's,F's and U's. Appalling I know but in my real exam I ended up passing all my 11 GCSE's and got a few B's but no A's. I also ended up with a C at AS-Level.

They always make mocks really hard, basically I think he'll either get the grades he got now or beat them, he defiently wont get lower.

I had an english tutor for a few weeks and she made no difference, she slowed the process down maybe to earn more money by taking more time. Got rid of her and studied myself....if I were you I would take some of his essentials away during the exam periods.

jamtart6

every job ive ever seen only ever wants english, maths and science grade c at gcse. unless he wants a budding career in one of the other subjects just concentrate your money on these other subjects and make sure he passes them all with a C

billywill

He sounds like he's a really lovely son
Personally, before looking at a tutor, maybe encourage him to go to his subject teachers and ask what he can improve on. If the teachers are half decent, then they'll be thrilled that he's used he initiative for independant learning. In my mocks I got Bs I think, and when the real things came around I got 8As and 2A*s. However, please remember that GCSEs aren't always accurate... I know people who have no natural talent for Science, maths etc.. and still received 11A*s. Very strange! To be honest, I think that hard work and enthusiasm is far more important, and it seems like your son already has that