Is giving up a GCSE a good idea?

Original post by honeycomb1

I am really worried about my Spanish grade from my mocks, and since the grades may be centre assessed I am worried it will seriously impact my final grade. Is it better to give it up and get good grades at GCSE in my other subjects or to keep it and get one really bad grade amongst my others? If I do really badly do I have to show it to Universities when I apply if it has nothing to do with my subject?

You have to declare every GCSE grade on your UCAS - maybe talk to school about dropping it? We do have a few students that drop a subject to focus on their others.

Reply 2

Original post by honeycomb1

I am really worried about my Spanish grade from my mocks, and since the grades may be centre assessed I am worried it will seriously impact my final grade. Is it better to give it up and get good grades at GCSE in my other subjects or to keep it and get one really bad grade amongst my others? If I do really badly do I have to show it to Universities when I apply if it has nothing to do with my subject?

Most schools won't let you drop a GCSE. Just try your best in it. As long as you get decent grades in all your others, then one lower grade shouldn't hold you back.

Reply 3

Original post by Muttley79

You have to declare every GCSE grade on your UCAS - maybe talk to school about dropping it? We do have a few students that drop a subject to focus on their others.

Most schools don't let students drop gcse's

Reply 4

Original post by Emma:-)

Most schools don't let students drop gcse's

They do in my experience - parents can request it :smile:

It's not in the school's interest to have low grades.

Reply 5

Original post by Muttley79

They do in my experience - parents can request it :smile:

It's not in the school's interest to have low grades.

Every school I've come across does not allow it. Even if parents do ask. People have swapped subjects early on. But not dropped them.

Reply 6

billybob234

14

you can prolly drop it if you really want but i'd say only worth doing if it's below about a 4/5 or will take too much work to get to that level. In all honesty the unis aren't mega fussed about 1 bad gcse grade especially if it has nothing to do with the course. Since you aren't doing an exam this year its not really gonna be much work. Obviously i can't say about your specific circumstance but that is how id generally view it

Reply 7

billybob234

14

Original post by Emma:-)

Every school I've come across does not allow it. Even if parents do ask. People have swapped subjects early on. But not dropped them.

my school let's people drop if they think it will help them get a better grade in their other subjects. Most people start out with 10 subjects but many are only doing 8/9 now (obviously core subjects are non negotioable)

Reply 8

Original post by Emma:-)

Every school I've come across does not allow it. Even if parents do ask. People have swapped subjects early on. But not dropped them.

I'm a teacher and I assure you it happens in my school and where my son went and in other local schools. Students have to attend lessons but do their own work.

Reply 9

username5620302

12

Original post by honeycomb1

I am really worried about my Spanish grade from my mocks, and since the grades may be centre assessed I am worried it will seriously impact my final grade. Is it better to give it up and get good grades at GCSE in my other subjects or to keep it and get one really bad grade amongst my others? If I do really badly do I have to show it to Universities when I apply if it has nothing to do with my subject?

you do have to declare every grade on your ucas, however it shouldn't affect you too badly if you're applying for something that has nothing to do with Spanish. since they're CAG, perhaps your teachers will be a bit more.... generous with you grade, for the schools interest👀but I wouldn't rely on it lol. I doubt they'll let you drop it, so maybe ask for extra help and revision resources?

Reply 10

Original post by Muttley79

I'm a teacher and I assure you it happens in my school and where my son went and in other local schools. Students have to attend lessons but do their own work.

That must be the minority then.
As having previously worked in various schools myself, most don't.

Reply 11

Original post by billybob234

my school let's people drop if they think it will help them get a better grade in their other subjects. Most people start out with 10 subjects but many are only doing 8/9 now (obviously core subjects are non negotioable)

Must be the minority then, as a lot of schools don't let you.

Reply 12

Original post by Emma:-)

Must be the minority then, as a lot of schools don't let you.

No - many schools - you only have to look at the DfE performance tables and the average number of GCSEs taken to see that MANY people drop some.

Reply 13

Original post by Muttley79

No - many schools - you only have to look at the DfE performance tables and the average number of GCSEs taken to see that MANY people drop some.

I'm not going to argue.
You know of schools that will let you drop gcse's.
I know of schools that don't let you drop any.

Reply 14

Original post by Emma:-)

I'm not going to argue.
You know of schools that will let you drop gcse's.
I know of schools that don't let you drop any.

Why not at least look at the data and see that the schools you know are the exception?

Reply 15

username5620302

12

Original post by Muttley79

No - many schools - you only have to look at the DfE performance tables and the average number of GCSEs taken to see that MANY people drop some.

yes they do let people drop gcses but not this close to the exams (or what would be the exams)

Reply 16