A Guide to Exam Preparation and Support for Students

1. North Bristol Post 16 Centre Year 13 PEG Wednesday 6th May Results day and what to expect

2. 3 WEEKS UNTIL A2 EXAMS START! (AS retakes start 11 May)

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 revision/distribute practice 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 – keyworks – exam literacy 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/what are they learning Make sure they self- test/past exam questions

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 • Arrive early (at least 20 mins before the start) • 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 • Most exams are taken at the school where students are registered, NOT where they are taught (check exam timetable) • 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… Last day of AS teaching Fri 8 May AS exams start (Y13 retakes) Mon 11 May Y13 last day of A2 teaching Fri 22 May Leavers assembly Fri 22 May Student finance deadline Sun 31 May Half term 25 – 29 May A2 exams start Mon 1 June Gap year fair @ BGS Weds 24 June Return text books/resources Fri 26 June Last day of academic year Friday 17th July A level results **Thurs 13 August** Results surgery drop in Fri 14 August

9. Some subjects may continue revision sessions during the exam time but only during lesson time

10. Taking an AS resit? • Study leave arrangements for Y13 before 22 May: STUDENTS MUST LET TEACHERS/P16 OFFICE KNOW THAT THEY WILL NOT BE THERE

11. Academic mentors Student services Tutors Subject teachers Admin and reception team Who can help at school? Assistant heads of post 16 Exams officer Careers adviser Director

12. Results day Thursday August 13th 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 drop in

13. A* - How it works A* was new in 2010 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.

14. UCAS next stepswww.ucas.com

15. Student finance deadline The deadline for applications for new students is 31 May 2015. Students, who don't apply before the deadline dates, might not get their money in time for the start of their course. They don't need a confirmed place at university or college to apply; they can use their preferred course and change it later.

16. Reply dates These are based on when students get the last decision in from their unis or colleges. They must check Track to see their personal deadline.

17. Have everything ready on results day… UCAS ‘Track’ may allow students to see if they have met the entry requirements for their chosen courses but not grades. May be available early on 13th Aug Have Track login details handy and update contact details if necessary. Make sure son/daughter is available on results day, because UCAS can't speak to anyone else about their application details unless they gave them nominated access to speak on their behalf. Have telephone number for universities of firm and insurance offer handy.

18. 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 (Extra availability) • Get in touch with university directly • Offers can be accepted or rejected • No offers = Clearing

19. Check UCAS Track regularly! If students get their grades… Scenario 1 • Accepted by Firm Choice Outcome 1 • Place confirmed (check TRACK for details, confirmation letter) Scenario 2 • Accepted by Firm Choice and exceed offer Outcome 2 • Place confirmed (check TRACK for details, confirmation letter) or apply through ADJUSTMENT

20. Check UCAS Track regularly! If students get their grades… Scenario 3 • Receive changed course offer Outcome 3 • Accept/decline offer via TRACK Scenario 4 • Accepted by Insurance Choice Outcome 4 • Place confirmed (check TRACK for details, confirmation letter) Scenario 5 • Don’t meet conditions of any offers Outcome 5 • Apply for a course available in CLEARING

21. If students don’t want an offer they’ve accepted… • Students have to contact the university/college to ask them if they can decline it at this stage. **It's a serious contractual agreement they've entered into, so they'll have to see if the universities agree to let them out of it**

22. If students do better than expected… Check UCAS Track regularly! • UCAS ‘Adjustment’: • Results have met and exceeded conditions of conditional firm choice and… • Paid full application fee • Open 13th – 30th August • 5 day window to register and secure an alternative • Remain accepted at original choice • CELEBRATE!

23. 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 • Drop in with Post 16 team • Students will not be allowed to return to Year 14 • Consider retakes (caution needed!)

24. UCAS applying as ex student • Welcome to attend Futures 18 (subject to availability) • Apply through own learning community • Get the new buzzword to register on UCAS (see Miss Haine/Ms Bisco) • Tutor reference updated • Support with statement before 17 July (end of year)

25. Gap Year Fair, Bristol(4 to 6pm)Wednesday 24 June… Bristol Grammar School • An excellent opportunity to meet some of the best gap year providers in the country.  Need gap year advice?  The experts on the stands will be able to answer all your questions. • No charge for admission & no booking required • Parents welcome

26. Gap year students • Finalise university plans/next steps before going overseas • Planning – so much choice / which organisation / how long… • Is it right for you? • How will you benefit? • How will you spend your time? • Cost! • Safety • Insurance / visas / health • Futures 18 w/c Monday 29 June

27. Apprenticeships and employment • Lots of opportunities… • Have you met Jenny Livesey / Kerry Chester for careers advice • Have you got a CV? • Useful web sites: • www.apprenticeships.org.uk/ • Register for Careers Mail Directions • www.bristolpost.co.uk/jobs • Employer web sites

28. Questions