Bringing A levels forward to Easter: good/bad idea?

So, what are you saying? A Levels all finished by summer of Year 12? Or AS Levels, then results by like June?

I don't see how that helps at all...

Reply 2

harryponders

The way I see it, it's a double ended sword really because it does dramatically shorten the period of revision and the time the students can learn the material but to the same credit, if the smount of teching and time needed is no longer then september to easter then the bringing forward of exams get sixth formers out of school and therefore means less government expenditure of sicth form education. This is a debate which has no right or wrong answer in my opinion, however I do think that if they are going to bring the exams forward they should start with a smaller gap, from june/july to easter is a big change.

Reply 3

brokenangel

No they should just hire more markers or do exams for maths and science like the exam you get at uni ie computer marked MCQ. TBH if my uni lecturer can mark 30+ pieces of coursework at 2000-5000 words each in a week i dont see why the remarks of exam paper cant be market quicker anyway ie 2-3days at the most.We all know that the papers can be scanned and emailed in a matter of minutes so a remark within a few hours is in theory possible

Reply 4

Skadoosh

OP

12

sil3nt_cha0s

So, what are you saying? A Levels all finished by summer of Year 12? Or AS Levels, then results by like June?

I don't see how that helps at all...

As in, instead of sitting the exams in the summer and receiving results mid/late August, you sit exams in the Easter and get results by the end of term.

With the amount of people being conned of places due to questionable predictions and late remarks, there's a good concept there.

Reply 5

Skadoosh

As in, instead of sitting the exams in the summer and receiving results mid/late August, you sit exams in the Easter and get results by the end of term.

With the amount of people being conned of places due to questionable predictions and late remarks, there's a good concept there.

I only see it as a good idea if you then start the A2 work straight after the exams, so you get like 1/3 to 1/2 of the syllabus done so predictions can be easier. Or is there something else behind this?

Reply 6

Robob

brokenangel

No they should just hire more markers or do exams for maths and science like the exam you get at uni ie computer marked MCQ. TBH if my uni lecturer can mark 30+ pieces of coursework at 2000-5000 words each in a week i dont see why the remarks of exam paper cant be market quicker anyway ie 2-3days at the most.We all know that the papers can be scanned and emailed in a matter of minutes so a remark within a few hours is in theory possible

Is that a joke?

And I've never done an MCQ exam despite 3 years of uni. Also, how the hell would a maths MCQ work??

Reply 7

insertusername

surely then though if they're doing this so you apply when you have your results, you wouldn't even be applying to uni until essentially the summer holidays? everyone would end up applying at the same time rather than medics and whatnot early, and interviews would be crammed in. It would however mean you were guaranteed you place cutting down problems of insurance choices, tis a tough one to decide however i wouldn't be liking the lack of revision time compared to now

Reply 8

gummers

13

But surely taking away peoples time will only make people do worse meaning there has to me moree resits and moree remarks ¬¬

I do not like this idea tbh..

Reply 9

brokenangel

Robob

Is that a joke?

And I've never done an MCQ exam despite 3 years of uni. Also, how the hell would a maths MCQ work??

easy you give a choice of say 8 answer all only differing very slightly ie 8.943211 or 8.943212 and the student has to work out the question anyway to figure out the correct answer the same can be done with alegbra aswell. Its just stops marks being awarded for the correct method but wrong answer.

I know MCQ are common on my course and on a quite a few medical courses aswell

Reply 10

KiiNGofLONDON

sil3nt_cha0s

I only see it as a good idea if you then start the A2 work straight after the exams, so you get like 1/3 to 1/2 of the syllabus done so predictions can be easier. Or is there something else behind this?

Wa Wa Wee Wa, :borat:

50,000 posts exactly!! Nice avatar btw.

I think it's a good idea overall tbh. Although I think holiday times would need to be shortened. Also, revising and going through the hell of UCAS at the same time would be deadly, that's the biggest fear of mine.

Reply 11

KiiNGofLONDON

Wa Wa Wee Wa,

50,000 posts exactly!! Nice avatar btw.

I think it's a good idea overall tbh. Although I think holiday times would need to be shortened. Also, revising and going through the hell of UCAS at the same time would be deadly, that's the biggest fear of mine.

No, look closer my friend :wink:

Reply 12

KiiNGofLONDON

sil3nt_cha0s

No, look closer my friend :wink:

I think it's one of those 'it was right under your nose' moments, because I keep looking closer and closer - my nose is on the screen now - and I can't see anything suggesting otherwise. :dontknow:

Reply 13

Aphotic Cosmos

And? It'll still only affect AS results, which is only one factor for universities. Personal statements, interviews, aptitude tests for certain courses, etc. are more important in many cases than AS grades.

The only way you can apply to university with your results is if you take a gap year.

Reply 14

KiiNGofLONDON

I think it's one of those 'it was right under your nose' moments, because I keep looking closer and closer - my nose is on the screen now - and I can't see anything suggesting otherwise.

go to my profile, I have over 3,000 posts :wink:

Reply 15

brokenangel

Aphotic Cosmos

And? It'll still only affect AS results, which is only one factor for universities. Personal statements, interviews, aptitude tests for certain courses, etc. are more important in many cases than AS grades.

The only way you can apply to university with your results is if you take a gap year.

I take it you didnt read the article A2 exams will be immediatly after Easter and you will get your results before applying to university.

Reply 16

Aphotic Cosmos

brokenangel

I take it you didnt read the article A2 exams will be immediatly after Easter and you will get your results before applying to university.

Oh, ignore me then.

I should really read things before I comment on them . . . /facepalm

Reply 17

KiiNGofLONDON

sil3nt_cha0s

go to my profile, I have over 3,000 posts :wink:

lol that's the only thing I thought it could have been. Why didn't I propose that? :stomp:

Reply 18

ziggycj

They should change the school year completely if this happens. School to start in August, 1st exams in December, 2nd exams in April/May, school year end May/June so you can enjoy summer.

Reply 19

ily_em