Getting straight A* at gcse?

Original post by e2014

Hi, so I'm in year 9 and currently choosing my gcse. The deadline is tomorrow and I've picked:
ENGLISH
MATHS
SCIENCE
RE
(compulsory)
HISTORY
SPANISH
COMPUTER SCIENCE
LATIN (which is an after school 'twilight course' I'm worried about because it might be hard, but taking nevertheless)
I set quite high expectations for myself and am ideally aiming for straight A*s. How possible is this? I'd love to hear from people currently taking GCSES, or anyone further than that. Thanks!
(also maybe you could help me in deciding whether I should take latin. I'm a really academically able student - with all modesty - and I think it would be a subject I'd pursue an interest in, just worried about not being able to grab that a*)
thanks!

Personally I would say drop Latin, Wow I am taking computer studies and its probably the hardest one to get an A* in. You can easily get an A in in but there is a big leap from A to an A*. However if you like it then go for it!

Reply 22

HabibSyed

16

Straight A*'s are absolutely possible, I myself am aiming for 9 A*-A GCSE's and a Distinction in a Level 2 Engineering qualification, thats what I think most people should aim for, because straight A*'s can add a bit too much stress.

Reply 23

Original post by e2014

In English, Maths and I think science.

All of your grade will be numbers when you take your exam x

Reply 24

Reversed Flash

15

Computer Science by far is the hardest it literally killed me hours and hours and I get a B :frown:

Reply 25

OP

Original post by myapure

All of your grade will be numbers when you take your exam x

I'm taking them next month. It's just maths and English. :smile:

Reply 26

Original post by e2014

I'm taking them next month. It's just maths and English. :smile:

Oh okay sorry, I thought you said you were in year 9! I am taking them next month too!

Reply 27

ineedA

15

I'm pretty sure you'll be taking the 1-9 system , correct me if I'm wrong but I've heard the getting a nine is much harder than getting an a star, it's possible to get straight a stars but I'm not sure about straight 9ns as it's for the 1% of the 1% , as long as you put in the effort a good handful of 8 and 9s is possible but there's always the possibility that you have a bad day ( like i did) and one of your grades drops😇🙃

Reply 28

AfcFob

18

You're on the 9-1 aren't you?? My brother is in Y10 and he's on the 9-1. It will be REALLY tough to get 9's as that's an A**, but straight 8's would be entirely possible (from what I've been told)

Reply 29

OP

Original post by myapure

Oh okay sorry, I thought you said you were in year 9! I am taking them next month too!

I was in year 9 when I posted this thread two years ago :biggrin:

good luck in your exams!

well done

One of the heads of the exam boards said that he thought only 2 people nationally would get straight 9s (Next year obviously; we only have the potential to get 3.)

Reply 32

Original post by e2014

I was in year 9 when I posted this thread two years ago :biggrin:

good luck in your exams!

Ahhh makes more sense good luck to you too

Reply 33

EJWellwood

Just remember Oxford isn't everything. It's good to set yourself a goal, at a young age as well, but you've also got to be realistic. it is your responsibility to aim for a realistic goal that you know you can achieve. GCSE's aren't the end of the world, they are just a stepping stone to A-Levels which are far more important in the eyes of universities. It was also my impression that Grade 9's were the equivalent of an A^ and only a tiny percentage of candidates would achieve such a grade- a Grade 8 is essentially the equivalent of a normal A* I thought. It's good to strive for perfection sometimes but it is also helpful to fail too; it really is the only way to learn. Instead of worrying about a decision you'll make years from now focus on your GCSE's. Only take latin if you genuinely believe you would enjoy doing it, don't do it if you think it will be a chore. It's like any choice in life, only do it if you think you will enjoy it.

Reply 34

OP

Original post by EJWellwood

Just remember Oxford isn't everything. It's good to set yourself a goal, at a young age as well, but you've also got to be realistic. it is your responsibility to aim for a realistic goal that you know you can achieve. GCSE's aren't the end of the world, they are just a stepping stone to A-Levels which are far more important in the eyes of universities. It was also my impression that Grade 9's were the equivalent of an A^ and only a tiny percentage of candidates would achieve such a grade- a Grade 8 is essentially the equivalent of a normal A* I thought. It's good to strive for perfection sometimes but it is also helpful to fail too; it really is the only way to learn. Instead of worrying about a decision you'll make years from now focus on your GCSE's. Only take latin if you genuinely believe you would enjoy doing it, don't do it if you think it will be a chore. It's like any choice in life, only do it if you think you will enjoy it.

Thanks but this thread was posted 2 years ago so I already decided not to take Latin. :smile:

Reply 35

OP

Original post by ineedA

I'm pretty sure you'll be taking the 1-9 system , correct me if I'm wrong but I've heard the getting a nine is much harder than getting an a star, it's possible to get straight a stars but I'm not sure about straight 9ns as it's for the 1% of the 1% , as long as you put in the effort a good handful of 8 and 9s is possible but there's always the possibility that you have a bad day ( like i did) and one of your grades drops😇🙃

I'm in year 11 now aha, this was posted 2 years ago. I'm doing 9-1 in English and Maths.

Reply 36

OP