A Levels 2023

[securespark]

This year's A level students have been subject to a reworking of the grades leaving some students disappointed.

Some have calculated that if they had taken the exams last year, their grades would have been up one; ie B would become A.

Furthermore, students in Wales and Northern Ireland are being shown leniency in their grades.

This means that students in England are competing for places at university with kids from Wales and NI who are at an advantage with better grades.

The whole thing is a right royal muck up.

 

[Dork Lard]

I remember the envelope that delivered my daughters A level results. She had known from the age of 10 that she wanted to be a vet & to get the college place she wanted she needed straight A's. She didn't get them, she got 2x A's & 1 C grade.

She got the place anyway, because (1) she has always only ever wanted to be a vet from the age of about 10, & (2) some people pulled a few strings for her.

I remember her interview at her chosen college when it was made very clear to us all why they insist on straight A's, "if you can't hack your A levels then you're going to struggle with what we're going to throw at you".

Those strings that were pulled maybe aren't what you're 1st thinking of. From the age of 10 she knew she wanted to be a vet & she spent a considerable amount of her spare time shadowing our vet of choice. That vet (who is an alumni of that college) told them of her dedication, focus & ability to learn. Words that we will be forever grateful for.

She is now a very busy vet with her own practice specialising in horses, which is what she has only ever wanted to be.

 

[nwgs]

I remember the envelope that delivered my daughters A level results. She had known from the age of 10 that she wanted to be a vet & to get the college place she wanted she needed straight A's. She didn't get them, she got 2x A's & 1 C grade.

She got the place anyway, because (1) she has always only ever wanted to be a vet from the age of about 10, & (2) some people pulled a few strings for her.

I remember her interview at her chosen college when it was made very clear to us all why they insist on straight A's, "if you can't hack your A levels then you're going to struggle with what we're going to throw at you".

Those strings that were pulled maybe aren't what you're 1st thinking of. From the age of 10 she knew she wanted to be a vet & she spent a considerable amount of her spare time shadowing our vet of choice. That vet (who is an alumni of that college) told them of her dedication, focus & ability to learn. Words that we will be forever grateful for.

She is now a very busy vet with her own practice specialising in horses, which is what she has only ever wanted to be.

A decent post for once. I love vets.

 

[Koolpc]

A decent post for once. I love vets.

Nice with chips!

 

[Brigadier]

"if you can't hack your A levels then you're going to struggle with what we're going to throw at you".

Spoken like a truly institutionalised nobba, IMHO.

What about those who didn't give a fudge (at A level)?

I spent my A levels on the pizz, didn't get decent grades - never had any interest of going to uni at that time anyway - and went to work.

After working for couple of years, decided I perhaps would like to further my edukayshun, so applied to - and was accepted by - a (Russell Group) university.
"Mature" student gets a bit of leeway, wrt A level results.

Got a BSc 2:1 at the end.

 

[blup]

A levels are the most important exams you'll ever take in the context of getting into uni, once you get in to the course and university of your choice you are almost guaranteed a degree as long as you keep your head down and work reasonably hard. A levels exams can be random and the results can be cruel especially now they are more exam based. Many uni courses are assessed on a continuing assignment/essay basis.

Blup

 

[nwgs]

You can get an unconditional offer where grades aren’t a consideration. My lad got one, but still knuckled down and got decent results yesterday.

 

[ellal]

The whole thing is a right royal muck up.

It's not a 'muck up', it's a system designed to favour the rich...

Because the gap between state and private school 'results' has widened again...

Any system that is set up to only give out a certain percentage of certain grades is open to manipulation and that is what happens...

More civilised countries (many in for example the EU/EEA) tend to have a simpler and more transparent system...

In that grades are awarded based on academic achievement, not by an arbitrary quota!

It's also easier for prospective employers/universities to compare results over different years.

Another stupidity about the UK system is that university places are usually given on a provisional basis rather than the far more logical idea about awarding places based on actual results!

And before the usual suspect chips in again about 'sour grapes', I attended a private school via a scholarship (which no longer exists) for part of my education...

And can thus see both sides of it!

 

[JP_]

What about those who didn't give a fudge (at A level)?

There's plenty of places that take lower grades. I did a course that, if I recall correctly, only required 2 Cs.

 

[ellal]

There's plenty of places that take lower grades. I did a course that, if I recall correctly, only required 2 Cs.

Can you recall what year that was?

 

[JP_]

Can you recall what year that was?

1992, Preston only wanted 2 Es (maths physics) to do Astrophysics - I was overqualified! That was stupid, you can't do the course with an E in Maths! I assume they just wanted to give people a second chance, and take the cash ... I quit before I was fired.

1993, Coventry wanted 2 Cs (I think) for Geography.
Getting in was easier too, I just went to a phone box and called the head of department and told him I wanted to study, and off I went.

 

[blup]

It is cheaper to fill universities than have the financial and political consequences of kids on the dole.

Blup

 

[ellal]

1992, Preston only wanted 2 Es (maths physics) to do Astrophysics - I was overqualified! That was stupid, you can't do the course with an E in Maths! I assume they just wanted to give people a second chance, and take the cash ... I quit before I was fired.

1993, Coventry wanted 2 Cs (I think) for Geography.
Getting in was easier too, I just went to a phone box and called the head of department and told him I wanted to study, and off I went.

Things have changed a tad since then!

But that is of course to do with consecutive governments using grade inflation to con the electorate that their education policies were working when they weren't...

And the Russell group of universities always had higher requirements to deter what they saw (and still see) as the 'riff raff'!

 

[JP_]

Yep, and also reducing the unemployment figures.
The new system, ie high fees and loans, is just a new tax to keep people in education and off benefits.
It is of course, much better for everybody.

 

[JP_]

Things have changed a tad since then!

But that is of course to do with consecutive governments using grade inflation to con the electorate that their education policies were working when they weren't...

And the Russell group of universities always had higher requirements to deter what they saw (and still see) as the 'riff raff'!

Yes, I know. Many friends still had to battle it out to get the top uni places. Only 2 schoolfriends when to Oxbridge, but with 4 As. Many others went to the top unis with 3 As or 2A+B.

Just just about scraped BED.