Junior cert help!! 2 questions

Chickenwing47

1)Hello, I'm just wondering I got 7 honours 1 pass and 1 fail in my Christmas exams, the fail was higher level maths and I'm wondering should I drop?? But I'd like to know if I do drop will this cut me out of doing collage courses in economics or accountancy since I've been told if I do ordinary level in Jc I can't do higher level in the lc:( also I'm already in ordinary Irish!

2) could anyone give me some tips how to do well in higher level science and English since I'm worried about these in the mocks. Thanks

spurious

Do not drop. Do as many subjects as you can at HL. The style of question and answer needed is much closer to LC standard than OL.
Even if you fail, you are still better off having tried HL and failing at JC makes no difference to the level you can take at LC.

You don't have to have done HL Maths to do Accountancy or Busness at LC, but do not start dropping levels. You will regret it.

Chickenwing47

spurious wrote: »

Do not drop. Do as many subjects as you can at HL. The style of question and answer needed is much closer to LC standard than OL.
Even if you fail, you are still better off having tried HL and failing at JC makes no difference to the level you can take at LC.

You don't have to have done HL Maths to do Accountancy or Busness at LC, but do not start dropping levels. You will regret it.

Thanks, but I don't want to fail anything in my junior cert. so your saying if I failed HL in my Jc I could still do HL at Lc? The only level I want to drop is maths anyways not any other subject.

spurious

I'm saying you won't fail.
If you are capable of HL Maths and take OL instead, yes, you will probably get an A or B, but now no-one knows how you could do at HL. Maybe you would have got an A or B there too? We will never know.

The SEC do not care what level you did at JC when choosing levels for LC, but if I am a HL Maths teacher in your school and you try to get into my class with an A in OL JC Maths, I will take someone with an E in HL JC Maths ahead of you, because I know they followed the more abstract components of the syllabus.

There is a huge difference between OL JC Maths and HL LC Maths. It doesn't matter a whit whether you fail something in the JC or not. If we all spent our lives only doing tests we knew there was no chance of failing we wouldn't get very far.

Do not drop level.

Chickenwing47

spurious wrote: »

I'm saying you won't fail.
If you are capable of HL Maths and take OL instead, yes, you will probably get an A or B, but now no-one knows how you could do at HL. Maybe you would have got an A or B there too? We will never know.

The SEC do not care what level you did at JC when choosing levels for LC, but if I am a HL Maths teacher in your school and you try to get into my class with an A in OL JC Maths, I will take someone with an E in HL JC Maths ahead of you, because I know they followed the more abstract components of the syllabus.

There is a huge difference between OL JC Maths and HL LC Maths. It doesn't matter a whit whether you fail something in the JC or not. If we all spent our lives only doing tests we knew there was no chance of failing we wouldn't get very far.

Do not drop level.

Thanks! I'll stick with it

UnknownEntity

Chickenwing47 wrote:

2) could anyone give me some tips how to do well in higher level science and English since I'm worried about these in the mocks. Thanks

To do better in science, you just gotta keep studying. There isn't much skill behind it compared to something like Irish. The best way to study for something like science is to go through the past papers and make sure that you can answer all the questions by checking your answers with the marking schemes. If you find yourself not being able to answer a trend of questions (such as sound or plant or reproduction etc) then go over it in your textbook until you're comfortable with it. Also, make sure that you complete your laboratory book and make sure that you can get as many marks as possible out of your Coursework B (ask your teacher if you don't know how) because then you will walk into the exam with up to 35%. That makes you much more likely to get a higher grade

With English, there is a lot more skill involved than science and skill=practise. Best way to be able to write a good essay is to practise writing, make sure you do every single piece of homework, listen in class and get as many tips as possible etc. Try read a lot of books too, it will help improve your vocabulary and then you will be able to flaunt it in the exam without even realising it! Make sure that you know how the structures work for different types of essays and answers (your teacher should be able to give you a good answer on that). Make sure that you know your quotes (examiners love quotes!) and what types of essays you need to prepare for.

Hope I've helped, don't hesitate to PM me if you need more help

Chickenwing47

haiyna wrote: »

To do better in science, you just gotta keep studying. There isn't much skill behind it compared to something like Irish. The best way to study for something like science is to go through the past papers and make sure that you can answer all the questions by checking your answers with the marking schemes. If you find yourself not being able to answer a trend of questions (such as sound or plant or reproduction etc) then go over it in your textbook until you're comfortable with it. Also, make sure that you complete your laboratory book and make sure that you can get as many marks as possible out of your Coursework B (ask your teacher if you don't know how) because then you will walk into the exam with up to 35%. That makes you much more likely to get a higher grade

With English, there is a lot more skill involved than science and skill=practise. Best way to be able to write a good essay is to practise writing, make sure you do every single piece of homework, listen in class and get as many tips as possible etc. Try read a lot of books too, it will help improve your vocabulary and then you will be able to flaunt it in the exam without even realising it! Make sure that you know how the structures work for different types of essays and answers (your teacher should be able to give you a good answer on that). Make sure that you know your quotes (examiners love quotes!) and what types of essays you need to prepare for.

Hope I've helped, don't hesitate to PM me if you need more help

Thanks a lot! It's just drama and my novel I'm worried about, any tips how to study for them two mainly?? Sadly I got 40% in my Christmas exams:( she said that my exam technique let me down?? Not sure what she means by that but any tips how to improve my exam technique? Thanks

DublinArnie

When I did maths during third year, I got a D on my summer exam and failed the following Christmas exam. Mocks came rolling, and I really didn't know what to expect - I scraped a really low D. I didn't want to drop, and was determined to do something about it. I'm good at maths, the problem was applying my knowledge of formulas and theories on pen and paper, especially since we did Project Maths and it's alien to many teachers.

I literately did every past paper there was, and got my teacher to correct them. I got something wrong? I re-did the paper and got her to correct it.

Managed to get a B, should of rechecked it.

Just keep practising.

evolving_doors

DublinArnie wrote: »

When I did maths during third year, I got a D on my summer exam and failed the following Christmas exam. Mocks came rolling, and I really didn't know what to expect - I scraped a really low D. I didn't want to drop, and was determined to do something about it. I'm good at maths, the problem was applying my knowledge of formulas and theories on pen and paper, especially since we did Project Maths and it's alien to many teachers.

I literately did every past paper there was, and got my teacher to correct them. I got something wrong? I re-did the paper and got her to correct it.

Managed to get a B, should of rechecked it.

Just keep practising.

Thats it really, we learn maths by doing maths... not studying. Also the quicker you get the better so do a few of the harder ones over and over. Dont just do the homework, do an extra similar question + one from a previous topic/chapter. Aim to fill your copy asap.

With the 'open' questions like 'justify your answer' etc. dont just take down the teachers answer if you get it wrong, find out why your answer wasnt good enough. Also have a look through marking schemes on examinations.ie to see what ' long sentence answers' are acceptable.

At the end of the day a teacher can only reccomend what level you take. Its up to you and your parents to decide on your level. Any Joe off the street can walk in and sit whatever subject and whatever level they like.

But at some stage though (in senior level) if its making other subjects suffer so much you might loose the points necessary, then think about calling it a day.

Treat maths like a sport, only way to get better is to do more and find what areas you are strong at.

Talk to your teacher too, let them know your intentions and as long as youre not messing in class holding others back then they should support you. Anything you dont get try and nab the teacher after class with a concise question e.g. "i got lost exactly here when this happened" rather than "I don't get any of this sir could you re-teach the whole class just for me right now!". Target the week spots and get quicker on the good spots.

Chickenwing47

Armelodie wrote: »

Thats it really, we learn maths by doing maths... not studying. Also the quicker you get the better so do a few of the harder ones over and over. Dont just do the homework, do an extra similar question + one from a previous topic/chapter. Aim to fill your copy asap.

With the 'open' questions like 'justify your answer' etc. dont just take down the teachers answer if you get it wrong, find out why your answer wasnt good enough. Also have a look through marking schemes on examinations.ie to see what ' long sentence answers' are acceptable.

At the end of the day a teacher can only reccomend what level you take. Its up to you and your parents to decide on your level. Any Joe off the street can walk in and sit whatever subject and whatever level they like.

But at some stage though (in senior level) if its making other subjects suffer so much you might loose the points necessary, then think about calling it a day.

Treat maths like a sport, only way to get better is to do more and find what areas you are strong at.

Talk to your teacher too, let them know your intentions and as long as youre not messing in class holding others back then they should support you. Anything you dont get try and nab the teacher after class with a concise question e.g. "i got lost exactly here when this happened" rather than "I don't get any of this sir could you re-teach the whole class just for me right now!". Target the week spots and get quicker on the good spots.

Thanks, it's just that it's the questions in the project maths that put me off it's for some reason when I work out of y textbook I'm okay but soon as I go to do work in the exam paper BAM my mind goes blank can't do anything, it's really stressful:( trying my best but really struggling and it's not just my fault my teacher was out for about a month and only 4 people passed the chirstmas exams out of 25.

Chickenwing47

Armelodie wrote: »

Thats it really, we learn maths by doing maths... not studying. Also the quicker you get the better so do a few of the harder ones over and over. Dont just do the homework, do an extra similar question + one from a previous topic/chapter. Aim to fill your copy asap.

With the 'open' questions like 'justify your answer' etc. dont just take down the teachers answer if you get it wrong, find out why your answer wasnt good enough. Also have a look through marking schemes on examinations.ie to see what ' long sentence answers' are acceptable.

At the end of the day a teacher can only reccomend what level you take. Its up to you and your parents to decide on your level. Any Joe off the street can walk in and sit whatever subject and whatever level they like.

But at some stage though (in senior level) if its making other subjects suffer so much you might loose the points necessary, then think about calling it a day.

Treat maths like a sport, only way to get better is to do more and find what areas you are strong at.

Talk to your teacher too, let them know your intentions and as long as youre not messing in class holding others back then they should support you. Anything you dont get try and nab the teacher after class with a concise question e.g. "i got lost exactly here when this happened" rather than "I don't get any of this sir could you re-teach the whole class just for me right now!". Target the week spots and get quicker on the good spots.

Thanks! It's really just the exam papers I can't do, but when I do the textbooks I'm okay but when I go to exam papers I go blank, it's like the way the questions are layed out or something??

evolving_doors

Chickenwing47 wrote: »

Thanks! It's really just the exam papers I can't do, but when I do the textbooks I'm okay but when I go to exam papers I go blank, it's like the way the questions are layed out or something??

I'd agree the format used to be more predicable alright. But once you get enough of the exam papers practiced you'll see the 'style' required. At the moment your class are probably focused on getting every topic/chapter covered without too much 'mixing' between topics.

I'm getting the impression that you are doing relatively Ok in the classroom though so that's a positive. Have you all the exam papers finished?? As someone else mentioned they did the same papers a couple of times to practice and found that a help.

Actually now that I think of it, for our junior (inter!!) cert nobody had a clue what was going on until may when we had all the course finished and the papers covered. At the moment your teacher is probably just trying to get through each section before putting it all together. After a while you might see the same style of question cropping up across the paper.

It's early enough to be worrying just yet so hold yer nerve. There's probably a bit of negativity floating about in your class with so many failing an exam and teacher out etc. Don't get caught up in it and play your own game. If it's any help the last questions in most chapters are as 'project maths' as you can get so maybe focus on these, rather than the procedural ones of plucking numbers out and sticking them into an obvious formula.

Chickenwing47

Armelodie wrote: »

I'd agree the format used to be more predicable alright. But once you get enough of the exam papers practiced you'll see the 'style' required. At the moment your class are probably focused on getting every topic/chapter covered without too much 'mixing' between topics.

I'm getting the impression that you are doing relatively Ok in the classroom though so that's a positive. Have you all the exam papers finished?? As someone else mentioned they did the same papers a couple of times to practice and found that a help.

Actually now that I think of it, for our junior (inter!!) cert nobody had a clue what was going on until may when we had all the course finished and the papers covered. At the moment your teacher is probably just trying to get through each section before putting it all together. After a while you might see the same style of question cropping up across the paper.

It's early enough to be worrying just yet so hold yer nerve. There's probably a bit of negativity floating about in your class with so many failing an exam and teacher out etc. Don't get caught up in it and play your own game. If it's any help the last questions in most chapters are as 'project maths' as you can get so maybe focus on these, rather than the procedural ones of plucking numbers out and sticking them into an obvious formula.

Thanks a lot😚 I just wanna really do well in my junior cert! I've been studying 2 hours every night from October so that's two subjects a day an hour on each, is that enough?? But lately I've kind of slacked off:( dunno why to be honest but before chirstmas I was doing excellent remembered everything got all my study done but now when my mocks are coming I'm starting to slack and people are telling I should take a few days off but I can't afford that right before the mocks! Any advice on that??

smiles_1998

Chickenwing47 wrote: »

Thanks a lot😚 I just wanna really do well in my junior cert! I've been studying 2 hours every night from October so that's two subjects a day an hour on each, is that enough?? But lately I've kind of slacked off:( dunno why to be honest but before chirstmas I was doing excellent remembered everything got all my study done but now when my mocks are coming I'm starting to slack and people are telling I should take a few days off but I can't afford that right before the mocks! Any advice on that??

It sounds like you've burned out....maybe just take one or two days off and just do homework those days? Then you can get back into study.
Also, you say you do an hour on each subject...maybe you could try doing a half an hour on each subject? That way if you do two hours, you're actually getting four subjects done. I don't know if it's just me, but when I did my Junior Cert. last year, I found it very hard to do more than half an hour's study each day in a particular subject. I found I remembered more if I broke each subject down and studied them for smaller chunks of time.
Anyway, I hope this helps and don't get too stressed out about the mocks; yes, they're important but in a lot of subjects the course isn't covered so you won't be able to do as well in the exam as you could with the full course done. The mocks are good for working out timing issues and getting an idea of what the Junior Cert. will be like.
Hope this helps!

Chickenwing47

smiles_1998 wrote: »

It sounds like you've burned out....maybe just take one or two days off and just do homework those days? Then you can get back into study.
Also, you say you do an hour on each subject...maybe you could try doing a half an hour on each subject? That way if you do two hours, you're actually getting four subjects done. I don't know if it's just me, but when I did my Junior Cert. last year, I found it very hard to do more than half an hour's study each day in a particular subject. I found I remembered more if I broke each subject down and studied them for smaller chunks of time.
Anyway, I hope this helps and don't get too stressed out about the mocks; yes, they're important but in a lot of subjects the course isn't covered so you won't be able to do as well in the exam as you could with the full course done. The mocks are good for working out timing issues and getting an idea of what the Junior Cert. will be like.
Hope this helps!

Yea thanks I'm gonna try do half hour on each and see if that's any better. I'm just wondering if I fail my mocks do I've to go down to ordinary cause I don't wanna drop anything and to be honest I'm well able for all higher. I'm just worried because ppl have said if u fail them u should go down to ordinary and I don't want that😔…oh yea I know this is out of the blue but I do boxing I spar 2-3 times a week and I'm just wondering would I lose brain cells from doing it? Or forget stuff that I study?? (I'm quite paranoid because I heard it can do stuff like that) but I've fallen in love with boxing and I wanna stick to it but school is more important and I wanna do well in my Jc/Lc go to collage etc. but if it's gonna make me lose brain cells and become more stupid haha. (Remember I wear head guards every time I box and I don't get lots of punchs in the head maybe 15 at the most but usually 5-10) I doubt it would affect me but I'd like someone else's opinion. Thanks

smiles_1998

Chickenwing47 wrote: »

Yea thanks I'm gonna try do half hour on each and see if that's any better. I'm just wondering if I fail my mocks do I've to go down to ordinary cause I don't wanna drop anything and to be honest I'm well able for all higher. I'm just worried because ppl have said if u fail them u should go down to ordinary and I don't want that😔…oh yea I know this is out of the blue but I do boxing I spar 2-3 times a week and I'm just wondering would I lose brain cells from doing it? Or forget stuff that I study?? (I'm quite paranoid because I heard it can do stuff like that) but I've fallen in love with boxing and I wanna stick to it but school is more important and I wanna do well in my Jc/Lc go to collage etc. but if it's gonna make me lose brain cells and become more stupid haha. (Remember I wear head guards every time I box and I don't get lots of punchs in the head maybe 15 at the most but usually 5-10) I doubt it would affect me but I'd like someone else's opinion. Thanks

If everyone who failed the mocks in my year had to move down to ordinary level, our higher level maths class would have been halved!
If someone has been getting at least a C in a subject all this year then they are obviously well able for Higher Level. If they do fail the mocks for whatever reason (timing issues, not having the full course done etc.) that is no reason for them to have to move to Ordinary Level. They may just need to spend extra time on the particular subject or maybe get a few grinds in it if at all possible.
About the boxing- I have never done boxing nor have any of my friends so I don't know too much about it but I know my brother used to do sparring in karate (kind of like boxing, I think?) but he didn't seem to be affected in school by it? If you are wearing the correct protective headgear you should be okay I'd imagine- maybe you could ask someone in your club if they have ever had a problem with boxing and schoolwork? Sorry I'm not much help to you about this!
Lomg story short, I'd say you have probably burnt out and that's why you are finding it hard to retain information- not the boxing. Just take a break and only do homework for a couple of days and then ease yourself back into studying. Remember, it's your Junior Cert. that counts and not the mocks so you want to be on top of your game for the real thing!

spurious

There are far easier ways to 'lose brain cells' than boxing at your age. Unless you are boxing at a fairly heavy weight and are pretty bad at it (i.e. get hit a lot) it would be unusual for an opponent of your age to be strong enough to do you serious damage.

Stop worrying about the Junior Cert., you will be fine.

Chickenwing47

smiles_1998 wrote: »

If everyone who failed the mocks in my year had to move down to ordinary level, our higher level maths class would have been halved!
If someone has been getting at least a C in a subject all this year then they are obviously well able for Higher Level. If they do fail the mocks for whatever reason (timing issues, not having the full course done etc.) that is no reason for them to have to move to Ordinary Level. They may just need to spend extra time on the particular subject or maybe get a few grinds in it if at all possible.
About the boxing- I have never done boxing nor have any of my friends so I don't know too much about it but I know my brother used to do sparring in karate (kind of like boxing, I think?) but he didn't seem to be affected in school by it? If you are wearing the correct protective headgear you should be okay I'd imagine- maybe you could ask someone in your club if they have ever had a problem with boxing and schoolwork? Sorry I'm not much help to you about this!
Lomg story short, I'd say you have probably burnt out and that's why you are finding it hard to retain information- not the boxing. Just take a break and only do homework for a couple of days and then ease yourself back into studying. Remember, it's your Junior Cert. that counts and not the mocks so you want to be on top of your game for the real thing!

Yea I doubt it will affect me. Thanks

Chickenwing47

spurious wrote: »

There are far easier ways to 'lose brain cells' than boxing at your age. Unless you are boxing at a fairly heavy weight and are pretty bad at it (i.e. get hit a lot) it would be unusual for an opponent of your age to be strong enough to do you serious damage.

Stop worrying about the Junior Cert., you will be fine.

Yea I doubt it will affect me due to I'm sparring people the same height as me and I'm small about 5'4-5'5. Hopefully haha

DublinArnie

Chickenwing47 wrote: »

Yea I doubt it will affect me due to I'm sparring people the same height as me and I'm small about 5'4-5'5. Hopefully haha

I do a lot of sparring also, and don't feel any major defects from it. Doing great so far in fifth year.

Chickenwing47

DublinArnie wrote: »

I do a lot of sparring also, and don't feel any major defects from it. Doing great so far in fifth year.

Ah thank god, that relieved a lot of pressure haha, just wanted to make sure it wouldn't affect me because I'm in higher level everything and I don't want everything I learn to leave my brain haha, any advice on the junior??