By the start of Year 13 your child will hopefully have a good idea of what they want to do next. Now is the time to apply and secure the degree course, training opportunity or job that is right for them. They’ ll also be busy studying for their Level 3 qualifications.
APPLYING TO UNIVERSITY
If your child wants to go to university, they should begin applying early in Year 13. You’ ll find more details about choosing a university course and the application process on pages 47 to 61.
MAKING A PLAN B
Hopefully your child will get the A level / BTEC results they are hoping for, but it’ s worth talking to them about a backup plan just in case. Try not to make this sound too negative – you don’ t want to undermine their confidence – but chat with them about what they might do if they don’ t get high enough grades for their chosen path. For example, if they can’ t get onto their ideal degree course, would they want to find a similar course elsewhere with a lower entry requirement, retake their exams and reapply, or take a year out for a rethink?
EXAMINERS’ REPORTS
As well as practising using past papers, suggest that your child gets hold of the previous year’ s examiners’ report for each subject they are taking. These provide invaluable information about what the examiners are looking for in students’ answers and common mistakes made by past candidates. Your child’ s teachers may be able to provide these, or they are available on examining board websites.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT EFFECTIVE REVISION AND MAKING A REVISION TIMETABLE The Uni Guide https:// www. theuniguide. co. uk / advice / student-life / creating-a-revision-timetablethat-actually-works https:// www. theuniguide. co. uk / advice / ucasapplication / revision-exams-making-the-grade
EXAMS
As with GCSEs, the amount of study leave your child will have for A level / BTEC revision will depend on their school or college. It’ s crucial that your child makes a start on their revision early, following a realistic revision timetable and using techniques that suit their learning style( see page 28).
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