Exam Support & Preparation Information for Year 13 Students

1. Year 13 Parent Support Information Group Wednesday 16th May

2. 3 WEEKS UNTIL A2 EXAMS START!

3. What should students be doing? It’s never too late… • How can you change your grade? • Attend all lessons • Attend all catch up/revision sessions (even during study leave) • Meet all deadlines & get valuable feedback • Do you have a revision timetable? • How much work are you really doing outside of lessons? 4/5 hours per subject • Ask for feedback – what do I need to do to improve/secure a ‘X’ grade • Quiet study area • Is your part time job getting in the way? 9 hours max a week. Less in exam season • Other distractions – social life, facebook… • Exercise • Down time – important to switch off.

4. Contact school if you’re concerned about stress levels Use a calendar to write down when all exams are Help them plan their time e.g. revision schedules (e.g. available) Get them to use subject checklists to prioritise their revision Get them to treat revision as an active process e.g. mind-maps, post it’s, mnemonics etc Supporting your child during exams Provide a quiet, clutter free environment away from distractions Accept that they might be more anxious than usual Make sure they take plenty of rest breaks Talk to them – get them to verbalise their learning

5. And……. • ….a well stocked fridge

6. The day of the exam • Make sure they are aware if it is a morning or afternoon exam • Eat something light before – it will help concentration • Check all materials which will be needed for the exam the night before • Bring a bottle of water (without a label on the bottle) • Do NOT bring mobile phones into the exam rooms • All exams are taken at the school where students are registered, NOT where they are taught • Avoid ‘cramming’ just before an exam • Listen very carefully to the exam briefing at the start of the exam • Thoroughly read the rubric on the exam paper

7. Remember, it will soon be over!

8. Key dates • 1st June: Last teaching day for year 13 • Leavers Assembly • Leavers Ball • 4th – 8th June: Half term • 11th June: Exam period begins • 1st July: Return textbooks and other resources • 16th August: Results day • 17th August: Post exam surgery

9. Results day Thursday August 16th from 9:00am Post 16 Atrium at Redland Green School or G001 in Charnwood Must collect results in person – results will not be given over the phone or via email Post 16 team will be around to provide support Post examination surgery Contd…

10. A* - How it works A* was new for 2010 examinations Awarded only for A2 subjects and AS extended project. Students have to gain an A grade overall in their AS level Students would also need to gain 90% of the maximum uniform marks on their A2 units.

11. Results day UCAS ‘Track’ may allow you to see if you have met the entry requirements for your chosen courses but not grades. Available (hopefully) by midnight Remember UCAS ID number Remember telephone number for admission tutors of firm and insurance offer

12. www.ucas.com

13. UCAS Extra • An Extra choice! • Available between February to end June • To use Extra applicants need to have: • already made five choices • received decisions from all these choices; and • either had no offers or declined • Course vacancies available on UCAS • Offers can be accepted or rejected • No offers = Clearing

14. If you get your grades… Check UCAS Track regularly! • Scenarios: • Accepted by Firm Choice • Accepted by Firm Choice and exceed offer • Receive changed course offer • Accepted by Insurance Choice • Don’t meet conditions of any offers • Outcomes: • Receive Confirmation letter (post) • Receive Confirmation letter (post) or apply through ‘Adjustment’ • Accept/decline alternative course • Receive Confirmation letter (post) • Automatic entry into Clearing

15. If you get your grades… Check UCAS Track regularly! • UCAS ‘Adjustment’: • Results have met and exceeded conditions of conditional firm choice and • Paid full application fee • Open 16th – 31st August • 5 day window to register and secure an alternative • Remain accepted at original choice • CELEBRATE!

16. If things don’t go to plan… Check UCAS Track regularly! • Don’t panic or make rash decisions • The university may still accept students • No offers = automatic entry into Clearing • Be available to speak to universities/admissions tutors • Take careful note of UMS scores • Appointments with Post 16 team • Students will not be allowed to return to Year 14 • Consider retakes (caution needed!)

17. Gap year students • Finalise university plans/next steps before going overseas • Planning – so much choice / which organisation / how long… • Gap Years Fair @ BGS Wednesday 27 June 4 – 8pm • Is it right for you? • How will you benefit? • How will you spend your time? • Cost! • Safety • Insurance / visas / health • Futures 18 day Wednesday 27 June

18. Haven’t applied to uni yet? • Start the process early (early September) • Apply through the centre or as an individual • Priority always given to current Year 13 • Remind tutor to update reference before student leaves

19. Would like more advice? • Make an appointment to see Kerry Chester – Cotham Learning Community • Sarah Haine – Redland Green Learning Community

20. Questions