Should there be a general knowledge GCSE?

I don't know whether you'll all agree, but I have always thought there should be a general knowledge GCSE. I'm not the brightest at things like biology, but as far as general knowledge goes, I'd get full marks or at least very close. I know so much obscure stuff, but I never really get anything to show for it, which a GCSE would do perfectly.
Who on here thinks it's a good idea? :smile:

Ahhh I wish

What type of questions?

Reply 3

username2713253

4

Original post by hchc

I don't know whether you'll all agree, but I have always thought there should be a general knowledge GCSE. I'm not the brightest at things like biology, but as far as general knowledge goes, I'd get full marks or at least very close. I know so much obscure stuff, but I never really get anything to show for it, which a GCSE would do perfectly.
Who on here thinks it's a good idea? :smile:

I think there should be because it helps as they are important things to know and that helps you in the future.

Reply 4

outgoingpopcorn

17

I think its a good idea, most GCSE students (myself included) mostly memorise things and regurgitate them in an exam and forget them the week after the exam is done. This is useless. Education should be about knowing things that are useful in life, not just a memory test.

Reply 5

hchc

OP

1

This is my logic exactly. Most people just regurgitate textbooks in exams and forget the stuff after. A general knowledge exam would be a measure of everything learnt ever. It would allow people to get recognition for all the obscure knowledge they have. Ask me who invented molten steel, or when Jeanne Calment was born or other obscure stuff and I'll give you the answer, which is more impressive than regurgitating the function of a kidney.

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 6

marioman

8

Several exam boards offer a General Studies GCSE but I don't know how "general knowledge"-based that is.

Reply 7

Kryptonian

9

Original post by hchc

I don't know whether you'll all agree, but I have always thought there should be a general knowledge GCSE. I'm not the brightest at things like biology, but as far as general knowledge goes, I'd get full marks or at least very close. I know so much obscure stuff, but I never really get anything to show for it, which a GCSE would do perfectly.
Who on here thinks it's a good idea? :smile:

Yes certainly. A* would be nice for a change.

Reply 8

Asolare

20

What are we going to define as general knowledge?

Reply 9

Kryptonian

9

Original post by hchc

I don't know whether you'll all agree, but I have always thought there should be a general knowledge GCSE. I'm not the brightest at things like biology, but as far as general knowledge goes, I'd get full marks or at least very close. I know so much obscure stuff, but I never really get anything to show for it, which a GCSE would do perfectly.
Who on here thinks it's a good idea? :smile:

How do you revise for it? Learn anything and everything

Reply 10

EuanF

2

Original post by hchc

This is my logic exactly. Most people just regurgitate textbooks in exams and forget the stuff after. A general knowledge exam would be a measure of everything learnt ever. It would allow people to get recognition for all the obscure knowledge they have. Ask me who invented molten steel, or when Jeanne Calment was born or other obscure stuff and I'll give you the answer, which is more impressive than regurgitating the function of a kidney.

But less useful :biggrin:

Reply 11

999tigger

19

Thought that was general studies?

Reply 12

BasicMistake

18

You have opportunities to demonstrate outside knowledge after GCSEs anyway. A general knowledge GCSE is a terrible idea.

Reply 13

theBranicAc

3

its not really pratical what would be the spec for it and would't it just measure how much things you know, and not really intelligence. I dont think its a good idea becuase of how subjective the topic is

Reply 14

Drunk Punx

19

Too subjective, doesn't work.

For example, I could tell you all about how rock and metal came to be, but I know **** all about popular chart music from any decade. A majority of people would be the opposite.

Reply 15

hchc

OP

1

Original post by theBranicAc

its not really pratical what would be the spec for it and would't it just measure how much things you know, and not really intelligence. I dont think its a good idea becuase of how subjective the topic is

It shows more intelligence than just regurgitating textbooks onto paper.

Reply 16

hchc

OP

1

Original post by EuanF

But less useful :biggrin:

But more impressive:-p

Reply 17

Woody_Pigeon

13

The only problem is, in General Knowledge, literally anything could come up. There could be a paper one year for it in which nobody knew the answer to a single question, an entire nationwide failure of a GCSE.

Reply 18

theBranicAc

3

Original post by hchc

It shows more intelligence than just regurgitating textbooks onto paper.

no all gcse are about memory

Original post by Woody_Pigeon

The only problem is, in General Knowledge, literally anything could come up. There could be a paper one year for it in which nobody knew the answer to a single question, an entire nationwide failure of a GCSE.