The Current Year 9 Chat Thread (2019-2020)

Wow, we are only on page 2.

Hey,
Just started Year 9. Quite a lot of surprises actually.
I’m in Set 1 out of 7 for maths and I don’t even know why (I was in the bottom set last year.) I think I just failed both of the unit tests we have had.
All my friends in maths have older siblings with GCSE revision guides and stuff but I’m the older kid so I don’t really have anything. But we haven’t really started the GCSE course yet. Do I need to buy something? Maybe that’s why I’m struggling with the unit tests and stuff?

Also we started our GCSE course on triple science ( OCR Gateway 9-1 I think). Am I supposed to be studying really hard now that we’ve actually started the course? Do I need to buy revision guides and workbooks and answer sheets and things? There are so many brands that I’m just so lost. And if I search for any recommendations, I get stuff from 2010. I really don’t know. Help.

I feel like I’m not studying hard enough or something. I know I’ve down the 11+ but aren’t GCSE’s really important?

Please send some advice. Thanks.

I don't think I'm gonna help but I'm in yr 9 as well and all I do is make sure to take notes in lessons so I can revise later, I usually just search things up on Google so I doubt you will really need to buy revision guides and books unless you're really struggling. Just make sure to keep revising the stuff you learn very often so you'll remember it I hope I could be useful even though I probably wasn't lol

Hey,
Just started Year 9. Quite a lot of surprises actually.
I’m in Set 1 out of 7 for maths and I don’t even know why (I was in the bottom set last year.) I think I just failed both of the unit tests we have had.
All my friends in maths have older siblings with GCSE revision guides and stuff but I’m the older kid so I don’t really have anything. But we haven’t really started the GCSE course yet. Do I need to buy something? Maybe that’s why I’m struggling with the unit tests and stuff?

Also we started our GCSE course on triple science ( OCR Gateway 9-1 I think). Am I supposed to be studying really hard now that we’ve actually started the course? Do I need to buy revision guides and workbooks and answer sheets and things? There are so many brands that I’m just so lost. And if I search for any recommendations, I get stuff from 2010. I really don’t know. Help.

I feel like I’m not studying hard enough or something. I know I’ve down the 11+ but aren’t GCSE’s really important?

Please send some advice. Thanks.

Hi,
Imo, I think that it is really good to be prepared for the challenges that you'll have to overcome in the next 2 years. As you're doing the GCSE course for science, you could maybe start looking at revision guides to help with exam q's, homeworks and just as a reference to what you have learnt in class. I recommend CGP: https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/secondary-books/gcse/science/biology/brr45-grade-9-1-gcse-biology-ocr-gateway-revisi
You can buy them for all 3 sciences, and there are workbooks to correspond with the revision guides.
As for maths, I recommend this for year 9: https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/secondary-books/ks3/maths/m3nn31-ks3-maths-textbook-3
However. as you've not started the GCSE course yet, only buy revision books/guides if you're REALLY struggling, as they normally cover the foundation for the GCSE in year 9
Hope this helps xx

Hey,
Just started Year 9. Quite a lot of surprises actually.
I’m in Set 1 out of 7 for maths and I don’t even know why (I was in the bottom set last year.) I think I just failed both of the unit tests we have had.
All my friends in maths have older siblings with GCSE revision guides and stuff but I’m the older kid so I don’t really have anything. But we haven’t really started the GCSE course yet. Do I need to buy something? Maybe that’s why I’m struggling with the unit tests and stuff?

Also we started our GCSE course on triple science ( OCR Gateway 9-1 I think). Am I supposed to be studying really hard now that we’ve actually started the course? Do I need to buy revision guides and workbooks and answer sheets and things? There are so many brands that I’m just so lost. And if I search for any recommendations, I get stuff from 2010. I really don’t know. Help.

I feel like I’m not studying hard enough or something. I know I’ve down the 11+ but aren’t GCSE’s really important?

Please send some advice. Thanks.

these are really good gcse maths revision books though, but that will be REALLY hard if you're struggling with the year 9 work: https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/secondary-books/gcse/maths/mhn43-maths-for-gcse-and-igcse%C2%AE-textbook,-higher?c=52985573
https://www.amazon.co.uk/REVISE-Edexcel-Mathematics-Higher-Revision/dp/1447988094 -for edexcel
they're also available for foundation...

Thank you so much.... I’ll have a look at the science ones....I’m not sure I need the maths ones yet....I’ll see. Thank you again!

HiI've been in year 9 for a month and it's definitely not what I expected.My options are Sport science Triple ScienceComputer scienceFrench (which I really regret picking as I'm awful)GraphicsGeographyI'm really enjoying all these subjects except FRENCH.I've never enjoyed French in primary school and KS3 and I still have no idea what possessed me to pick that subject. It's painfully boring! Sadly, I don't think I can change it because I picked it as EBACC. (picking options of English maths, science and a languages subject). Whenever we have tests or quiz's or mini assessments, I'm usually achieving lowish/average scores. I dread the subject and I find it extremely boring. I bet I'm going to do foundation on it. We do get a lot of homework in French and as someone who does their homework a days before it's due, I find it concerning that I'm always doing my French homework the night before or even on the day! I'm thoroughly enjoying all my other subjects though. Unfortunately, I have to be in one of the naughtiest math classes in the year. We're constantly having supplies and I haven't learn anything since the first few lessons! Does anyone have any French revision tips ? I really want to improve my scores but most of all learn to enjoy the subject. Thanks

this is what I use for my GCSE langauges (french and german aqa):
Memrise
Quizlet
Languages Online
Conjugeumos
Seneca
also, you should try and make flashcards/revision materials as you go along as it can be REALLY annoying having to make them two months before ur exams
try your best to not have to drop your language as many unis respect students who have MFL GCSEs

Thanks you!!! I suppose all the irritatingly hard work will be worth it in the end.

HiI've been in year 9 for a month and it's definitely not what I expected.My options are Sport science Triple ScienceComputer scienceFrench (which I really regret picking as I'm awful)GraphicsGeographyI'm really enjoying all these subjects except FRENCH.I've never enjoyed French in primary school and KS3 and I still have no idea what possessed me to pick that subject. It's painfully boring! Sadly, I don't think I can change it because I picked it as EBACC. (picking options of English maths, science and a languages subject). Whenever we have tests or quiz's or mini assessments, I'm usually achieving lowish/average scores. I dread the subject and I find it extremely boring. I bet I'm going to do foundation on it. We do get a lot of homework in French and as someone who does their homework a days before it's due, I find it concerning that I'm always doing my French homework the night before or even on the day! I'm thoroughly enjoying all my other subjects though. Unfortunately, I have to be in one of the naughtiest math classes in the year. We're constantly having supplies and I haven't learn anything since the first few lessons! Does anyone have any French revision tips ? I really want to improve my scores but most of all learn to enjoy the subject. Thanks

Chose my GCSE in year 8.
Starting my GCSE in year 9.