Important information about GCSE exams for students.
As we approach Easter, there will be just over four weeks remaining before the first GCSE* exam takes place, and it is essential for students to attend all lessons to maximise their chances of success.
Exam dates are as follows, and it is important for students to attend all exams for the GCSE(s) subjects they are studying.
* Note, this information is only for the English/maths GCSE courses, NOT Functional Skills
For those studying GCSE* English, the exam dates:
Paper 1 Friday 23 May
Paper 2 Friday 6 June
For those studying GCSE* Maths, the exam dates:
Paper 1 Thursday 15 May (non-calculator exam)
Paper 2 Wednesday 4 June (calculator exam)
Paper 3 Wednesday 11 June (calculator exam)
Students should arrive promptly, with their Student ID, black biros, and any other exam equipment, at 8.50am. These are National exams and are only available on the specified dates and start times, which are fixed.
Resources are provided in class so you can complete further revision at home. The college TEAMs link will be familiar to students, too. Please also refer to the list of additional online resources further down in this post.
We are encouraging students to revise and practise skills as much as possible outside of their timetabled lessons. Before the February half-term break, students completed mock papers. This helped practise exam techniques, including timings, and to identify topics that needed refreshing or revising, along with gaps in previous learning. From this, students, supported by teaching staff, have identified target topics to practise and revise.
Important for GCSE maths students. If they haven’t already done so, buying or borrowing a scientific calculator for use in this final term is crucial. Regular use will enable maths students to become familiar with the essential tool that is vital for Papers 2 and 3. The model most familiar to them is Casio FX85GTCW. If this option is not available, please consider a similar model.
Experience confirms that good attendance, regular revision, and a sustained, level-headed approach to work are essential in the run-up to exams. A little and often approach is more valuable than last-minute cramming. Following this approach will ensure that students are fully prepared and able to work to their full potential in lessons and the exams.
Please follow this advice so that students can make the very best of the opportunity to gain these valuable qualifications.
For their further information, the following are some helpful links and resources.
Here are resources that students may find helpful:
Revision Sessions
GCSE English Revision Monday 12.00-13.00 B27 Christian
GCSE English Revision Tuesday 12.00-13.00 C14 Leah
GCSE English Revision Wednesday 12.00-13.00 B17 Natasha
GCSE English Revision Thursday 12.00-13.00 B26 Belinda
GCSE English revision Friday 12.00-13.00 B26 Izzy
GCSE maths Revision Monday 12.00-13.00 B28 Rowan
GCSE maths Revision Tuesday 12.00-13.00 B16 Lin
GCSE maths Revision Wednesday 12.00-13.00 B22 Kate
GCSE maths Revision Wednesday 12.00-13.00 B24 Angela
GCSE maths Revision Thursday 12.00-13.00 B16 Nana
GCSE maths Revision Friday 12.00-13.00 B23 Ramona
For both English and maths
Useful Websites (Maths GCSE):
Video Tutorials and practice questions: Past papers and predicted papers:
www.corbettmaths.com
www.mathsmadeeasy.co.uk
www.examsolutions.net
www.mathsgenie.co.uk
Junior Challenges - UKMT
www.onmaths.com
www.3minutemaths.co.uk
www.mrbartonmaths.com
For a QR code revision poster that will link to YouTube clips for practice and revision, use
qr_poster_foundation.pdf typed into an internet search
Useful YouTube link for (English GCSE):
Type a search into YouTube for
Mr Bruff paper 1
Mr Bruff paper 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_dE68iUg-k
AQA English Language Paper 1 Question 1 (updated & animated) - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKZ_Tr2Y-CE
AQA English Language Paper 2 Question 1 (updated & animated) – YouTube