As someone from the last generation to do 'old fashioned' A Levels, where you pick 3 subjects (or 4 if you were really clever), studied them for 2 years, and got 3 (or 4) grades at the end, I don't like the sound of this new system, studying 5 subjects at *advanced* level only to drop 2 of them and persevere with 3 more.
To me, it sounds like A Levels are becoming more of a general qualification - specialising in 5 subjects seems to be stretching the pounds of the term 'specialise' by quit a bit. And in order to jump from 3 to 5 subjects, does that mean that the first year progresses more slowly than it used to, or are you pressured into doing more and more work? Neither sounds good to me.
From gauging opinion from people who have done the new A Levels, it seems to be decidedly mixed. I personally don't think I would like the new system. On the other hand, do people not really have an opinion on this because they don't know anything else?
Results Day - AGAIN!!!!!!
Well I wasn't too keen on the new system. I chose four subjects for AS (lower sixth), and then dropped one before moving into A2. Basically, the AS grade is useless for me, as me uni wants three A2 grades. There are just far too many exams (albeit shorter in length than the old A-level ones) - for each subject per year you have 3 exams. Without re-sits, I've sat 27 exams, I think (including General Studies).cwathen wrote:As someone from the last generation to do 'old fashioned' A Levels, where you pick 3 subjects (or 4 if you were really clever), studied them for 2 years, and got 3 (or 4) grades at the end, I don't like the sound of this new system, studying 5 subjects at *advanced* level only to drop 2 of them and persevere with 3 more.
To me, it sounds like A Levels are becoming more of a general qualification - specialising in 5 subjects seems to be stretching the pounds of the term 'specialise' by quit a bit. And in order to jump from 3 to 5 subjects, does that mean that the first year progresses more slowly than it used to, or are you pressured into doing more and more work? Neither sounds good to me.
From gauging opinion from people who have done the new A Levels, it seems to be decidedly mixed. I personally don't think I would like the new system. On the other hand, do people not really have an opinion on this because they don't know anything else?
Anyway, today's grades:
Government & Politics - A
General Studies - A
Biology - A
Religious Studies - B
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Andrew Muir
- Posts: 61
- Joined: Thu 21 Aug, 2003 19.24
Here goes:
ICT (Double): A B
Photography: B
Media Studies: B
ICT (Double): A B
Photography: B
Media Studies: B
Ah yes I forgot about that. Not only do you have to pick more subjects, you have to do General Studies aswell - something else I didn't have to do back in 2001. What kind of subject matter is in this? Specifically, why do most universities restrict the value of general studies (by saying that they'll only give it half the number of points, or will only recognise it counting as up to a grade C etc)? Is it not a 'real' A Level?(including General Studies).
Well its subject content is quite varied. There are three papers in each year - Culture, Arts and Morality; Society, Politics and the Economy; and Maths, Science and Technology. The Culture one for A2 has to be done in a foreign language, with an essay in English at the end. They can ask practically whatever they want. Our A2 Soc/Pol/Econ one was all about the EU, and then I chose an essay on terrorism.cwathen wrote:Ah yes I forgot about that. Not only do you have to pick more subjects, you have to do General Studies aswell - something else I didn't have to do back in 2001. What kind of subject matter is in this? Specifically, why do most universities restrict the value of general studies (by saying that they'll only give it half the number of points, or will only recognise it counting as up to a grade C etc)? Is it not a 'real' A Level?(including General Studies).
To be honest, I have no idea why some universities don't recognise it, or at least in a reduced form. Some argue it is one of the most difficult A-levels to achieve a top grade in, as you have to be able to cope with all the topics above. I would have thought an A grade in General Studies would show a university that you are a well-rounded character.
General Studies is a pure joke. Our school forced us to do it because it had "merit", despite the fact that many universities do not accept it as part of the offer.
I couldn't believe the fact I was doing an advanced level paper asking me questions about dressmaking, 3D naughts and crosses and why people preferred cinemas to the theatre. I wish I could have kept the papers so I could see how I wasted all that time in the exam hall.
But I came out with good grades, so I'm laughing all the way!
Congratulations to all who did well.
I couldn't believe the fact I was doing an advanced level paper asking me questions about dressmaking, 3D naughts and crosses and why people preferred cinemas to the theatre. I wish I could have kept the papers so I could see how I wasted all that time in the exam hall.
But I came out with good grades, so I'm laughing all the way!
Congratulations to all who did well.
Well it looks like Good News to people all around, been out all day drinking, as has every other student in the UK.
Though when I look at the sheet with the full results, I got an A on 2 Business Studies papers and a D on the other one! Whilst I got a B at the Unseen Media exam I got an E at the coursework and the other paper.
But it is enough to do A2, so I am very happy. I also know people who did worse than me, so I am quite happy.
Though when I look at the sheet with the full results, I got an A on 2 Business Studies papers and a D on the other one! Whilst I got a B at the Unseen Media exam I got an E at the coursework and the other paper.
But it is enough to do A2, so I am very happy. I also know people who did worse than me, so I am quite happy.