GCSE Results. | The Coffeehouse

yman

It's that time of year again in the UK, when all 16 year olds receive their GCSE Results.

Overall I did "ok":

Maths: B (A little bit disappointed but I did seriously mess-up the completion exam so I guess it's respectable.)

English: A (Would have been an A* but I answered about the wrong character in a question Expressionless

)

Science Double: A* A*

ICT Double: A* A* (I know, it's ICT, a monkey could probably pass).

Journalism (an interesting new course which I took in favour of English Literature. Nonetheless it wasn't a walk in the park and was rigorous.): A

Learning for Life & Work (soon-to-be a mandatory subject. My school had the grace to force it on us regardless. A nice PC exam; thanks New Labour): A*

RE Short: B (going to get it remarked as it was a high B)

Geography: B (again an extremely high B which will be remarked.)

Business Communication Systems (I didn't even take it as a class. I just revised the revision books!): A*

French Short: D (well, ehmm, it's only french)

edit: added some breaklines.

edit: oops, I got two A* A* in Science Double!

Colin Angus Mackay
Developer! Developer! Developer! comes to Scotland on the 10th May 2008

Science?! Don't you split this into Physics, Chemistry and Biology?

"Learning for Life and Work" What the heck is that!?

W3bbo
The Master of Baiters

Colin Angus Mackay wrote:
Science?! Don't you split this into Physics, Chemistry and Biology?

"Learning for Life and Work" What the heck is that!?

That's "Separate Science", but most students go for Double-Award which is a single subject but gets you two GCSEs.

yman wrote:
It's that time of year again in the UK, when all 16 year olds receive their GCSE Results.

Overall I did "ok":

Maths: B (A little bit disappointed but I did seriously mess-up the completion exam so I guess it's respectable.)
English: A (Would have been an A* but I answered about the wrong character in a question )
Science Double: A*
ICT Double: A* A* (I know, it's ICT, a monkey could probably pass).
Journalism (an interesting new course which I took in favour of English Literature. Nonetheless it wasn't a walk in the park and was rigorous.): A
Learning for Life & Work (soon-to-be a mandatory subject. A nice PC exam; thanks New Labour): A*
RE Short: B (going to get it remarked as it was a high B)
Geography: B (again an extremely high B which will be remarked.)
Business Communication Systems (I didn't even take it as a class. I just revised the revision books!): A*
French Short: D (well, ehmm, it's only french)

Congrats! I hope you get your place in 6th Form.

yman

Colin Angus Mackay wrote:
Science?! Don't you split this into Physics, Chemistry and Biology?

"Learning for Life and Work" What the heck is that!?

I did double science which has units for Physics, Chemistry, Biology.

Learning for Life & Work is a load of garbage. Basically it's broke into Citizenship (immigration, human rights etc. Biased.), PSHE (drugs...) and Learning for Work (was about the only unit which was actually worthwhile.)

Dr Herbie
Horses for courses

Colin Angus Mackay wrote:
Science?! Don't you split this into Physics, Chemistry and Biology?

<sarcasm>

Of course not! Don't you listen to the news on TV? 'Scientists' discover new planets, 'scientists' find cures for diseases, 'scientists' build super-computers.
Why split it into three? That just confuses the poor proles that make up the population under the guiding eye of the media.

</sarcasm>

(OK, it's a sore point for me as an ex-'scientist')

Herbie

Angus
.

I cannot say I was incredibly impressed with my results (I was hoping for slightly higher [although, having said that, they were OK]).

Mathematics: A* (I was pleased with this due to the high percentage).
Statistics: A*
English Language: A
English Literature: A
Science (Double Award): A* A*
Geography: (To be confirmed, they made an error on my results sheet).
Applied Business (Double Award): A A (This was the disappointing bit, I was awarded A* A* by the teacher, but the moderators seem to have brought everybodies marks down in my small class [I was 2 marks off A* A* out of 300 marks Sad

{So I missed getting those A* grades to add to my total by less than 1%}])
French: A*
Design and Technology, Resistant Materials: A*
RE (Short Course): A*
ICT (Short Course): A

Overall it is OK really. I am annoyed only about the Applied Business. Missing 2 A* grades by less than 1% is so annoying (especially considering that I put in many, many extra hours of my own time on the work [that wasn't compulsory] in order to get the work up to A* standard).

I am hoping for A* in Geography (I was predicted this); they didn't add my coursework mark into the final mark (so I was given an erroneous mark on the marks sheet).

Angus Higgins

yman

Angus wrote:

Mathematics: A* (I was pleased with this due to the high percentage).
Statistics: A*
English Language: A
English Literature: A
Science (Double Award): A* A*
Geography: (To be confirmed, they made an error on my results sheet).
Applied Business (Double Award): A A (This was the disappointing bit, I was awarded A* A* by the teacher, but the moderators seem to have brought everybodies marks down in my small class [I was 2 marks off A* A* out of 300 marks {So I missed getting those A* grades to add to my total by less than 1%}])
French: A*
Design and Technology, Resistant Materials: A*
RE (Short Course): A*
ICT (Short Course): A

Congrats.

* runs away and hangs my head in shame. *

Lloyd_Humph
If Blackberrys are addictive cellphones, Channel9 is the ultimate addictive website.

My tech teacher suggested I do an ICT GCSE a year early. Whoo me. Seeing some of the A level stuff (I asked him to show me the A Level exams) I could probably fly by them too. Woopie Big Smile

Grats, btw. I (l) Geography, does that make me weird Tongue Out

GoddersUK
I CAN has cheezburger and you CAN'T has stop me!

yman wrote:
Learning for Life & Work (soon-to-be a mandatory subject. My school had the grace to force it on us regardless. A nice PC exam; thanks New Labour): A*

All this rubish makes me glad I've done my GCSE's. My brother has to do "key skills" which is a mix of basic english and maths (why that's not in english or maths I don't know), basic IT (the school used to run the GNVQ but they can't do that any more so they do this instead) and "carrers" (not quite sure how you take an exam in that but still...).

Angus wrote:
moderators seem to have brought everybodies marks down in my small class

Bad luck.

If the coursework sent for moderation is taken up or down they apply the same changes to everyone in the class, without checking the courseworks individualy.

W3bbo
The Master of Baiters

Lloyd_Humph wrote:
My tech teacher suggested I do an ICT GCSE a year early. Whoo me. Seeing some of the A level stuff (I asked him to show me the A Level exams) I could probably fly by them too. Woopie

Grats, btw. I (l) Geography, does that make me weird

An A-Level in ICT isn't worth the paper it's printed on. Cambridge doesn't consider it a "real" A-Level and doesn't count it towards the "AAA" grade requirements. Same with Business Studies. And if that's what Oxbridge thinks, I doubt the Russel Group universities will give it much credence either.

Now A-Level Computing... that's better, and recommended before taking Computer Science (along with Further Maths). Thing is, not many 6th Forms do Computing A-Levels, so YMMV.

Angus
.

GoddersUK wrote:

Bad luck.

If the coursework sent for moderation is taken up or down they apply the same changes to everyone in the class, without checking the courseworks individualy.

I had a suspicion that Applied Business would be a problem, but I am a bit annoyed about it really. 2 marks is the difference between what I wanted in my GCSEs, and marks which although are good, are not quite as good as I had hoped for.

Putting in 65,000 words of work into a subject only to fail by that margin is sort of annoying. Tongue Out

It doesn't matter now, I have AS, and A-Levels to look forward to (particularly Mathematics and Further Mathematics).

Angus Higgins

evildictaitor
if( !succeed( try() ) ) { while(true) try(); }

Dr Herbie wrote:

Colin Angus Mackay wrote:Science?! Don't you split this into Physics, Chemistry and Biology?

<sarcasm>

Of course not! Don't you listen to the news on TV? 'Scientists' discover new planets, 'scientists' find cures for diseases, 'scientists' build super-computers.
Why split it into three? That just confuses the poor proles that make up the population under the guiding eye of the media.

</sarcasm>

(OK, it's a sore point for me as an ex-'scientist')

Herbie

I love the fact that science means "knowledge", so when kids in the UK are asked what they are learning, and they reply "science" this is tautological.

evildictaitor
if( !succeed( try() ) ) { while(true) try(); }

W3bbo wrote:

Now A-Level Computing... that's better, and recommended before taking Computer Science (along with Further Maths). Thing is, not many 6th Forms do Computing A-Levels, so YMMV.

Actually most Universities would prefer Maths or Physics if you're going onto a computing course, mainly because I wouldn't trust a degree-level computer scientist to teach you squat about how a computer actually works or how to program - they often have only a few years experience and have silly prejudices (like "java" is "the thing")

GoddersUK
I CAN has cheezburger and you CAN'T has stop me!

Angus wrote:
2 marks is the difference between what I wanted in my GCSEs, and marks which although are good, are not quite as good as I had hoped for.

When you say two marks do you mean two marks on the UMS or two marks directly as marked. 'Cause two marks on the UMS may not be two marks in real terms (as marked), it could be less or it could be more.

Angus
.

GoddersUK wrote:

Angus wrote: 2 marks is the difference between what I wanted in my GCSEs, and marks which although are good, are not quite as good as I had hoped for.

When you say two marks do you mean two marks on the UMS or two marks directly as marked. 'Cause two marks on the UMS may not be two marks in real terms (as marked), it could be less or it could be more.

Well, what makes it worse is that it is actually 1 mark. Tongue Out

Basically there is 1 exam, and there are 2 pieces of coursework. The exam is marked out of 100, but the coursework pieces are marked out of 50. One doubles the coursework mark for each piece and then adds it to the exam result to ascertain the score out of 300 (270 for an A*).

I got 90% in the exam, and then according the the mark sheet I got 90% on the final coursework (the teacher actually gave me 94% I think). The problem comes with the first piece of coursework. I was given 90% by the teacher, I think; but this has dropped to 88% (or rather 88/100). So therefore I was taken down to 44/50 (I needed 45/50 for the A* if one is to believe that the second piece of coursework is 90% as opposed to 94%). Thus it was really only 1 mark for the coursework (in one piece of the coursework).

I am going to consider having it remarked. I don't like the idea of this sort of thing, but in this circumstance where I have been given a grade by a teacher, and it has been changed, possibly due to the marking of the work of another student in the class, I feel it might help. I have missed getting 2 more A* grades by a mark, and it is actually annoying me.

I'll have to see I suppose. Considering the amount of time I put in, and the way I referred to the mark scheme constantly while doing the work, it seems a shame to drop 2 grades (in essence) simply because of the moderation.

Angus Higgins

Colin Angus Mackay
Developer! Developer! Developer! comes to Scotland on the 10th May 2008

W3bbo wrote:

Colin Angus Mackay wrote: Science?! Don't you split this into Physics, Chemistry and Biology?

"Learning for Life and Work" What the heck is that!?

That's "Separate Science", but most students go for Double-Award which is a single subject but gets you two GCSEs.

But if you did Physics, Chemistry and Biology as separate subjects that would be 3, or does mathematics work differently in England.

I hope you don't mind me saying this, but your education system sounds like it is completely borked.

I have seen CVs recently from people who were educated in England with (Double) Science listed. To me, that isn't a good reflection. In Scotland anyone taking "Science" is considered a bit dim and you wonder why they didn't take the distinct courses.

GoddersUK
I CAN has cheezburger and you CAN'T has stop me!

Colin Angus Mackay wrote:

But if you did Physics, Chemistry and Biology as separate subjects that would be 3, or does mathematics work differently in England.

In England you can take a course that combines units and exams from all three main sciences and combines to give you a qualification equivalent to 2 GCSEs, featuring stuff from all three sciences. That's double science (the common one).

There are the seperate sciences which is where you take all seperate GCSEs in all 3.

And there's single science which is like double science but only half the work (i.e. only worth one GCSE), generaly taken by the people who have a lower aptitude for science.

Colin Angus Mackay wrote:
I have seen CVs recently from people who were educated in England with (Double) Science listed. To me, that isn't a good reflection. In Scotland anyone taking "Science" is considered a bit dim and you wonder why they didn't take the distinct courses.

Because in England most schools don't offer the seperate sciences any more (but it is begining to make a comeback).

Angus
.

Colin Angus Mackay wrote:

I hope you don't mind me saying this, but your education system sounds like it is completely borked.

I have seen CVs recently from people who were educated in England with (Double) Science listed. To me, that isn't a good reflection. In Scotland anyone taking "Science" is considered a bit dim and you wonder why they didn't take the distinct courses.

I would have taken the separate sciences had it been offered at my school.

Why is Double Science not a "good reflection"?

Have you studied the syllabus? It doesn't matter what the course is called really, it is the content. I did the Double Science and it covers all three sciences (not to the same depth [sadly] as the separate science qualifications [an exam is taken however in each of the three sciences]).

Can you please justify your thought that the education system in England is "borked"? (As it is my belief that it is not).

Angus Higgins

Colin Angus Mackay
Developer! Developer! Developer! comes to Scotland on the 10th May 2008

Angus wrote:

Why is Double Science not a "good reflection"?

As I explained earlier "In Scotland anyone taking "Science" is considered a bit dim and you wonder why they didn't take the distinct courses." So it is my experience that a "science" course without the specialisation isn't worth much. I realise that things are different in England, but it just doesn't sound as committed to me. A "Science" course sounds very general and wishy-washy. And as you say it isn't "to the same depth".

Angus wrote:
Have you studied the syllabus? It doesn't matter what the course is called really, it is the content. I did the Double Science and it covers all three sciences (not to the same depth [sadly] as the separate science qualifications [an exam is taken however in each of the three sciences]).

Can you please justify your thought that the education system in England is "borked"? (As it is my belief that it is not).

Angus Higgins

From what I hear on the news, and in Scotland we seem to hear an awful lot about the education system of another country, it would seem that there is a push towards soft options rather than give people proper grounding in science and engineering subjects.

There also seems to be an increasing number of courses the Oxbridge don't recognise as valid or worthwhile. Other good universities will tend to follow from that also.

There do seem to be a number of pointless subjects such as "Learning for Life and Work". Some schools are apparently making RE compulsory because it is an easy exam and it pushes their average up (Yeeeaah for league tables). That choice may not be suitable for the child and their time could be better spent learning something else.

Finally, the percentage of passes and high passes seems to increase each year. This devalues the worth of an individual grade.

Now, I'm basing all this on bits and pieces I've heard from various sources. I admit that it may not be accurate. But quite frankly, if the government were to produce a handy-dandy guide to what these qualifications actually mean I wouldn't believe them. Perhaps that is what the journalism course is for - "Spin for beginners"

Martin Carolan

W3bbo wrote:

Lloyd_Humph wrote:My tech teacher suggested I do an ICT GCSE a year early. Whoo me. Seeing some of the A level stuff (I asked him to show me the A Level exams) I could probably fly by them too. Woopie

Grats, btw. I (l) Geography, does that make me weird

An A-Level in ICT isn't worth the paper it's printed on. Cambridge doesn't consider it a "real" A-Level and doesn't count it towards the "AAA" grade requirements. Same with Business Studies. And if that's what Oxbridge thinks, I doubt the Russel Group universities will give it much credence either.

Now A-Level Computing... that's better, and recommended before taking Computer Science (along with Further Maths). Thing is, not many 6th Forms do Computing A-Levels, so YMMV.

Many people seem to have arrogant views about "worthwhile qualifications" here - and i don't really think you have any foundations for that.

Personally i used A-levels as a stepping stone to uni, and whilst when i started A-levels i knew i wanted to pursue a CS degree, I decided to take a non-traditional route with A-levels, in regards to CS entrance (History, Biology, ICT).

I figured I would study what I enjoy - as A-levels are simply a key to the next level, it the scheme of things as long as you can still get to the destination, it doesn't matter what route you take.

This seemed to work out for me - I got offers for all 6 places I applied for (all in the top 15 uni's for CS), and i'm now reading Computer Science at Durham University in October.

Whilst it's true it is a slight advantage taking A level Maths, in reality all good universities provide maths modules for students without A level maths as part of the degree and acknowledge that having a broader background at A2 is also of advantage.

To sum up, if any prospective CS students are reading this and feel pressured into traditional routes to read CS, arrogance highlighted on these forums isn't worth much unless you specifically want to go to Oxbridge, other uni's also value non-traditional routes.

Colin Angus Mackay
Developer! Developer! Developer! comes to Scotland on the 10th May 2008

Martin Carolan wrote:

Many people seem to have arrogant views about "worthwhile qualifications" here - and i don't really think you have any foundations for that.

Personally i used A-levels as a stepping stone to uni, and whilst when i started A-levels i knew i wanted to pursue a CS degree, I decided to take a non-traditional route with A-levels, in regards to CS entrance (History, Biology, ICT).

I figured I would study what I enjoy - as A-levels are simply a key to the next level, it the scheme of things as long as you can still get to the destination, it doesn't matter what route you take.

This seemed to work out for me - I got offers for all 6 places I applied for (all in the top 15 uni's for CS), and i'm now reading Computer Science at Durham University in October.

Whilst it's true it is a slight advantage taking A level Maths, in reality all good universities provide maths modules for students without A level maths as part of the degree and acknowledge that having a broader background at A2 is also of advantage.

To sum up, if any prospective CS students are reading this and feel pressured into traditional routes to read CS, arrogance highlighted on these forums isn't worth much unless you specifically want to go to Oxbridge, other uni's also value non-traditional routes.

You probably regard me as one of the arrogant ones.

Anyway, you took History, Biology and ICT at A level. I don't regard that as non-traditional. These are all good subjects. (Well, I'm not exacly sure what ICT is, but I'm guessing Information Communications Technology which sounds like it would be useful - I'm guessing it is the equivalent of Computing Studies in Scotland)

It's the wishy-washy or new-age stuff I object to.

Angus
.

Colin Angus Mackay wrote:

As I explained earlier "In Scotland anyone taking "Science" is considered a bit dim and you wonder why they didn't take the distinct courses." So it is my experience that a "science" course without the specialisation isn't worth much. I realise that things are different in England, but it just doesn't sound as committed to me.

On what education is this statement based? (Have you read the syllabi of each course entitled "Science" [with no specifics], and also those of the separate science courses?).

I am aware that the Double Science qualification does not go into as much detail as the separate science courses, but one would expect that considering it is worth less in comparison.

I have done the Double Science course, and I am going on to do Physics and Chemistry at A-Level. Has my school (one which doesn't run the Double Science course) had any issues with people lacking knowledge in the separate science courses at A-Level? (The answer is "no").

Angus Higgins