Should the grade band of an A be shown?

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  1. Julii92's Avatar
    • Adored and Respected Member
    • Posts: 443
    Should the grade band of an A be shown?
    Who is of the opinion that the exam certificate should show if a student has achieved an A1 at Higher or AH? By and large, scoring in the 70-100% bracket qualifies for an A, but that's a very large bracket and there's a real difference in aptitude between a student who scores 71% and a student who scores 89%. Given that a B is awarded at 60%, an A at 70% and an A1 at 85% (approx, of course), there's usually a larger difference between a B and an A than between an A2 and an A1, a situation I find very odd.

    This seems especially counterproductive as university courses become more and more competitive. In England they've introduced the A* grade when typically, I believe, one needs 80% to score an A in any case. I can't think of any reason not to show the grade band a student achieves; an A2 will still be a very high grade, but an A1 will help to show which students are especially gifted in that subject.
  2. mimx's Avatar
    • Exalted and Worshipped Member
    Re: Should the grade band of an A be shown?
    We had a big discussion about this a couple of weeks ago.

    http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/show....php?t=1991315
  3. TheFOMaster's Avatar
    • Exalted and Worshipped Member
    Re: Should the grade band of an A be shown?
    (Original post by Julii92)
    Who is of the opinion that the exam certificate should show if a student has achieved an A1 at Higher or AH? By and large, scoring in the 70-100% bracket qualifies for an A, but that's a very large bracket and there's a real difference in aptitude between a student who scores 71% and a student who scores 89%. Given that a B is awarded at 60%, an A at 70% and an A1 at 85% (approx, of course), there's usually a larger difference between a B and an A than between an A2 and an A1, a situation I find very odd.

    This seems especially counterproductive as university courses become more and more competitive. In England they've introduced the A* grade when typically, I believe, one needs 80% to score an A in any case. I can't think of any reason not to show the grade band a student achieves; an A2 will still be a very high grade, but an A1 will help to show which students are especially gifted in that subject.
    I think the bands of a subject should be shown in the near future, but at the moment they are unnecessary.

    I say they begin to tell students when the new Higher Course is brought it.
  4. Direct15's Avatar
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    • Location: Scotland,United Kingdom
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    Re: Should the grade band of an A be shown?
    (Original post by Julii92)
    Who is of the opinion that the exam certificate should show if a student has achieved an A1 at Higher or AH? By and large, scoring in the 70-100% bracket qualifies for an A, but that's a very large bracket and there's a real difference in aptitude between a student who scores 71% and a student who scores 89%. Given that a B is awarded at 60%, an A at 70% and an A1 at 85% (approx, of course), there's usually a larger difference between a B and an A than between an A2 and an A1, a situation I find very odd.

    This seems especially counterproductive as university courses become more and more competitive. In England they've introduced the A* grade when typically, I believe, one needs 80% to score an A in any case. I can't think of any reason not to show the grade band a student achieves; an A2 will still be a very high grade, but an A1 will help to show which students are especially gifted in that subject.
    To be honest if I or anybody opened our results and got an A I would not mind what band it is on the other hand I know universities sometimes look at them. If I really did want to know my bands, I would ask the teacher of that subject great idea though
  5. tiger5000's Avatar
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    • Posts: 24
    Personally, as an a/b student I think not. But what's the point in having an a1 and a2 if they are not going to be recognised??


    This better be worth it...
  6. TheUnbeliever's Avatar
    • TSR Demigod
    • Location: Scotland
    • Posts: 5,838
    Re: Should the grade band of an A be shown?
    (Original post by tiger5000)
    This better be worth it...
    What? :confused:
  7. tiger5000's Avatar
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    • Posts: 24
    (Original post by TheUnbeliever)
    What? :confused:
    It's just my mantra in life


    This better be worth it...
  8. Chrisruptor's Avatar
    • Respected Member
    • Location: Fife
    • Posts: 181
    Re: Should the grade band of an A be shown?
    (Original post by Julii92)
    Who is of the opinion that the exam certificate should show if a student has achieved an A1 at Higher or AH? By and large, scoring in the 70-100% bracket qualifies for an A, but that's a very large bracket and there's a real difference in aptitude between a student who scores 71% and a student who scores 89%. Given that a B is awarded at 60%, an A at 70% and an A1 at 85% (approx, of course), there's usually a larger difference between a B and an A than between an A2 and an A1, a situation I find very odd.

    This seems especially counterproductive as university courses become more and more competitive. In England they've introduced the A* grade when typically, I believe, one needs 80% to score an A in any case. I can't think of any reason not to show the grade band a student achieves; an A2 will still be a very high grade, but an A1 will help to show which students are especially gifted in that subject.
    From a personal point of view, opening the exam results letter are seeing a couple of A2s in there would take away from the achievement of getting 5As.

    In a more perspective point of view, I don't believe there is any need for showing the bands. Unless you're applying to Cambridge or Oxford or somewhere like that which may require specific bands. (In that case, the student would probably have had the initiative to ask their teachers of their bands), I don't think there's much need to show them. A pupil with paticularly strong grades is unlikely going to be rejected on the basis of their grades if they exceed the requirements, but it might be down to the personal statement. When the competition increases for the course, the universities simply increase the grade requirements.
  9. nerd434's Avatar
    • Banned
    • Location: Edinburgh
    • Posts: 899
    Re: Should the grade band of an A be shown?
    (Original post by Chrisruptor)
    From a personal point of view, opening the exam results letter are seeing a couple of A2s in there would take away from the achievement of getting 5As.
    I completely agree with that. Although 5A's is a significant achievement, unless I achieved 5 A1's I would feel as if my grades were second best..
  10. SneakyDoug's Avatar
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    Re: Should the grade band of an A be shown?
    My english teacher told us who got A1's and whoever did got a round of applause from the class haha.
  11. TheUnbeliever's Avatar
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    • Location: Scotland
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    Re: Should the grade band of an A be shown?
    (Original post by SneakyDoug)
    My english teacher told us who got A1's and whoever did got a round of applause from the class haha.
    I think that's fairly inappropriate...
  12. SneakyDoug's Avatar
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    Re: Should the grade band of an A be shown?
    (Original post by TheUnbeliever)
    I think that's fairly inappropriate...
    It wasn't serious at all - it was a bit of a piss take. I think i put over the wrong idea...
  13. Chrisruptor's Avatar
    • Respected Member
    • Location: Fife
    • Posts: 181
    Re: Should the grade band of an A be shown?
    (Original post by SneakyDoug)
    My english teacher told us who got A1's and whoever did got a round of applause from the class haha.
    How did that happen? Don't you start a new timetable with new subjects after study leave?
  14. SneakyDoug's Avatar
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    • Posts: 472
    Re: Should the grade band of an A be shown?
    (Original post by Chrisruptor)
    How did that happen? Don't you start a new timetable with new subjects after study leave?
    This was at the beginning of this year when everyone had their results and we also did it for the prelim.
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