Minister attacks A-level critics
17 August 2004, 01:39 PM
#2
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Sussex, UK
Posts: 610
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pi55 off SJ.
I'm sorry mate, but i completed my A-levels last year, and if you reckon they are getting easier, you come and do it.
If anything, the syllabus is getting bigger, and expanding with more and more things that the candidate ust know. If you ask me, the modern A-Levels of today are a lot harder than the open book O-Levels or whatever you had in the old days.
So in the defence of students the world over -
UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT, SHUTUP.
I'm sorry mate, but i completed my A-levels last year, and if you reckon they are getting easier, you come and do it.
If anything, the syllabus is getting bigger, and expanding with more and more things that the candidate ust know. If you ask me, the modern A-Levels of today are a lot harder than the open book O-Levels or whatever you had in the old days.
So in the defence of students the world over -
UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT, SHUTUP.
17 August 2004, 01:44 PM
#5
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Sussex, UK
Posts: 610
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am.... waiting for a 5 page thread arguing about this. Got my spell checker ready and my dictionary out. I am a student after all!
I feel obliged to defend my kind. But thanks for the warning!!! lol
I feel obliged to defend my kind. But thanks for the warning!!! lol
17 August 2004, 01:44 PM
#6
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Nobody knows how to tie the simple knots that I know
Posts: 8,010
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
touchy eh?
I did A levels 10 years ago and they do seem to be getting easier. The French and German papers have a lot less grammar issues in them for a start.
Why else do we have the meteoric year on year rise in A grades and the introduction of super A grades when we don't appear to be breeding super-kids?
For the record, I'd say your come back of '**** off' didn't exactly help your cause
I did A levels 10 years ago and they do seem to be getting easier. The French and German papers have a lot less grammar issues in them for a start.
Why else do we have the meteoric year on year rise in A grades and the introduction of super A grades when we don't appear to be breeding super-kids?
For the record, I'd say your come back of '**** off' didn't exactly help your cause
Trending Topics
17 August 2004, 01:47 PM
#8
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,467
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My brother was (....and still is, lol) 4 years older than me. I looked at his work and compared to mine; it was tougher. My A-Levels were less difficult (better term than easier).
I would have only got C's and D's in his era. Only 4 year gap!!
I would have only got C's and D's in his era. Only 4 year gap!!
17 August 2004, 01:48 PM
#9
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Sussex, UK
Posts: 610
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i'm not touchy, i just dont appreciate ppl saying that effectively, the grades i worked my *** off for 2 years are worth sod all.
I didnt take languages, but i know people who did, and they had to focus more on spoken french rather than written. And IMHO it is more important to be able to hold a proper convo rather than knowing 5 million verbs in every tense, without learing how to string them together...
I didnt take languages, but i know people who did, and they had to focus more on spoken french rather than written. And IMHO it is more important to be able to hold a proper convo rather than knowing 5 million verbs in every tense, without learing how to string them together...
17 August 2004, 01:51 PM
#10
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,467
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by tucker101uk
i'm not touchy, i just dont appreciate ppl saying that effectively, the grades i worked my *** off for 2 years are worth sod all.
I didnt take languages, but i know people who did, and they had to focus more on spoken french rather than written. And IMHO it is more important to be able to hold a proper convo rather than knowing 5 million verbs in every tense, without learing how to string them together...
I didnt take languages, but i know people who did, and they had to focus more on spoken french rather than written. And IMHO it is more important to be able to hold a proper convo rather than knowing 5 million verbs in every tense, without learing how to string them together...
Nobody is suggesting your results means "sod all". Just that exams are becoming less difficult over time. Mine were, I accept that.
17 August 2004, 01:55 PM
#11
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by tucker101uk
i'm not touchy, i just dont appreciate ppl saying that effectively, the grades i worked my *** off for 2 years are worth sod all.
17 August 2004, 01:55 PM
#12
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Sussex, UK
Posts: 610
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fair enough. All that im saying is that i dont think that the exams are getting that much easier, even if they are...
IMHO they aren't. But i respect other ppls opinions, each to there own.
/Rant mode
IMHO they aren't. But i respect other ppls opinions, each to there own.
/Rant mode
17 August 2004, 01:56 PM
#13
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,467
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Cold Turkey
I don't think anyone is saying you are stupid or your results mean sod all! I think it has more to do with this govts obsession with manipulating statistics to make themselves look good...
17 August 2004, 02:01 PM
#16
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sussex
Posts: 950
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by tucker101uk
i'm not touchy, i just dont appreciate ppl saying that effectively, the grades i worked my *** off for 2 years are worth sod all.
Or at least they are worth a lot less than they used to be.
Not only that but by sending 50% of people to uni to get a degree, degrees will become devalued too. People with degrees earn more because historically there has been a shortage of supply, by increasing supply, demand will remain constant, and hence reduction in salary.
If I had a child of coming up to that age in the next coupke of years I'd be suggesting they work as plumber electrician etc and not bother with a degree, as I belive that there is now no benefit to a degree. You will probably leave with loads of debt, in many courses there is a lack of demand for your skills and you are 3 or 4 years behind on the career ladder!
17 August 2004, 02:03 PM
#17
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,467
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Chrisgr31
Well thats a shame as they are!
Or at least they are worth a lot less than they used to be.
Not only that but by sending 50% of people to uni to get a degree, degrees will become devalued too. People with degrees earn more because historically there has been a shortage of supply, by increasing supply, demand will remain constant, and hence reduction in salary.
If I had a child of coming up to that age in the next coupke of years I'd be suggesting they work as plumber electrician etc and not bother with a degree, as I belive that there is now no benefit to a degree. You will probably leave with loads of debt, in many courses there is a lack of demand for your skills and you are 3 or 4 years behind on the career ladder!
Or at least they are worth a lot less than they used to be.
Not only that but by sending 50% of people to uni to get a degree, degrees will become devalued too. People with degrees earn more because historically there has been a shortage of supply, by increasing supply, demand will remain constant, and hence reduction in salary.
If I had a child of coming up to that age in the next coupke of years I'd be suggesting they work as plumber electrician etc and not bother with a degree, as I belive that there is now no benefit to a degree. You will probably leave with loads of debt, in many courses there is a lack of demand for your skills and you are 3 or 4 years behind on the career ladder!
17 August 2004, 02:12 PM
#18
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Nobody knows how to tie the simple knots that I know
Posts: 8,010
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
epecially not when you can get a degree in turf management and Middle Earth hobbit thingy language.
I think my brain has gone to jelly this afternoon!!
I think my brain has gone to jelly this afternoon!!
17 August 2004, 02:15 PM
#19
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Was Manc now Camden
Posts: 2,689
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by tucker101uk
Pi55 off SJ.
I'm sorry mate, but i completed my A-levels last year, and if you reckon they are getting easier, you come and do it.
If anything, the syllabus is getting bigger, and expanding with more and more things that the candidate ust know. If you ask me, the modern A-Levels of today are a lot harder than the open book O-Levels or whatever you had in the old days.
So in the defence of students the world over -
UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT, SHUTUP.
I'm sorry mate, but i completed my A-levels last year, and if you reckon they are getting easier, you come and do it.
If anything, the syllabus is getting bigger, and expanding with more and more things that the candidate ust know. If you ask me, the modern A-Levels of today are a lot harder than the open book O-Levels or whatever you had in the old days.
So in the defence of students the world over -
UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT, SHUTUP.
17 August 2004, 02:15 PM
#20
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Sussex, UK
Posts: 610
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I give up with this argument. IMO my grades are worth what i aimed for. And noone on SN is gonna persuade me any different. Its like saying O-Levels are worth nothin now, as they are out of date. Sorry all you guys, but you now officially have no education.
Doesnt fly does it?
PS we are talking about A-levels not Degrees - and what about HNC/Ds?
Doesnt fly does it?
PS we are talking about A-levels not Degrees - and what about HNC/Ds?
17 August 2004, 02:18 PM
#23
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,467
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by tucker101uk
I give up with this argument. IMO my grades are worth what i aimed for. And noone on SN is gonna persuade me any different. Its like saying O-Levels are worth nothin now, as they are out of date. Sorry all you guys, but you now officially have no education.
Doesnt fly does it?
PS we are talking about A-levels not Degrees - and what about HNC/Ds?
Doesnt fly does it?
PS we are talking about A-levels not Degrees - and what about HNC/Ds?
Exams are becoming less hard to get better grades in though. Kids are generally as clever each year but each year the pass rate creeps up that little bit each time. Not coincidence is it.
17 August 2004, 02:19 PM
#25
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Surrey
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by tucker101uk
Pi55 off SJ.
If you ask me, the modern A-Levels of today are a lot harder than the open book O-Levels or whatever you had in the old days.
If you ask me, the modern A-Levels of today are a lot harder than the open book O-Levels or whatever you had in the old days.
17 August 2004, 02:25 PM
#26
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Sussex, UK
Posts: 610
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by scoob_babe
"No education".
"Nothin"
"i"
I think we can punctuate (and not resort to long words) even in our dotage!
"Nothin"
"i"
I think we can punctuate (and not resort to long words
) even in our dotage!
17 August 2004, 02:26 PM
#28
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by tucker101uk
I'm sorry mate, but i completed my A-levels last year, and if you reckon they are getting easier, you come and do it.
If anything, the syllabus is getting bigger, and expanding with more and more things that the candidate ust know. If you ask me, the modern A-Levels of today are a lot harder than the open book O-Levels or whatever you had in the old days.
If anything, the syllabus is getting bigger, and expanding with more and more things that the candidate ust know. If you ask me, the modern A-Levels of today are a lot harder than the open book O-Levels or whatever you had in the old days.
I'd say today's standard of A-Levels is probably about the same as O-Levels. Now, if you were comparing today's A-Levels with the old A-Levels you'd be in a different ball park.
The GCSEs I took were from the second year they were run. The O-Level papers from only two years before were a lot more difficult. We had to do a bridging course to reach the A-Level maths standard due to the reduction in quality and material of the GCSE level. My guess is that they have now brought the A-Level in line to match the GCSE finishing point.
What I don't understand is this whole A* business or whatever it is. What's wrong with the top grade just being an A? Or does that mean that people with an A* effectively have an A, people with an A effectively a B, so people with a C now would effectively have a fail (we used to regard anything below a C a fail
).Tucker, I'm sure you've worked hard for your A-Levels but there does seem to be a trend that they are a lot easier than they used to be (my source being some teachers I know) but that's not your fault. You're just a victim of the modern PC times where it's bad to fail someone
17 August 2004, 02:32 PM
#30
Scooby Senior
Thread Starter
Tucker,
I'm sorry if I have offended you. What was quite correctly pointed out on page 1 was that this was intended as a pop at our beloved government.
Do you honestly believe that people of your age are getting brighter and that in 10 years time if the trend continues then the people that will be sitting exams then will be even brighter? I am not saying that what you have worked for is worth sod all. If you feel that you have worked hard then you probably have!
What does beggar belief is that the numbers passing continually rise. There is a point where this cannot go any higher - 100%. At this point, everybody passes and everybody is equal...... sounds like a commie plot to me
And yes, I do know what I am talking about.
I'm sorry if I have offended you. What was quite correctly pointed out on page 1 was that this was intended as a pop at our beloved government.
Do you honestly believe that people of your age are getting brighter and that in 10 years time if the trend continues then the people that will be sitting exams then will be even brighter? I am not saying that what you have worked for is worth sod all. If you feel that you have worked hard then you probably have!
What does beggar belief is that the numbers passing continually rise. There is a point where this cannot go any higher - 100%. At this point, everybody passes and everybody is equal...... sounds like a commie plot to me
And yes, I do know what I am talking about.