[sr19]

Hi guys,

I just wanna ask how difficult is the critical thinking AS course and exam compared to other subjects. I am worried about it because it seems my class are not to bothered about this A-level, nor is my teacher.

Does it require alot of personal hard work to succeed in this A-level?

[Eklipz89]

no one really takes it serious...like general studies. I know some people pick it as an actual AS

[Malsy]

I am so glad I' don't have to do CT or GS. Phew

[emilyjane_09]

My college offers it if you get 6A*s+. It looks quite interesting.

[Liam92]

I'm quite worried too. We just have random discussions and never do anything productive in the lessons. I might have to resort to a text book, it just seems too risky to blag - it's not exactly an easy subject.

[numb3rb0y]

I took it at AS and you really don't have to worry. The syllabus has a lot of technical terms and meaning for parts of arguments and foundations of reasoning, but in actuality the exam doesn't test any knowledge, just ability to form and counter arguments. As long as you're bright and have some experience with debate then you should be able to get an A or B without any trouble.

[Economist1]

You can get an A without revising. Conversely, you can get a D after having laboured over hours of revision.

[mimimimi]

Originally Posted by Economist1

You can get an A without revising. Conversely, you can get a D after having laboured over hours of revision.

Yes... I took it at AS and got a C, and I don't think I could have done it any better. I never understood what they actually mark you on! It's a confusing subject, though I did enjoy it! (I just obviously wasn't very good at it)

[T-o dore]

Originally Posted by Economist1

You can get an A without revising. Conversely, you can get a D after having laboured over hours of revision.

hmmm i would dispute that. I suppose its possible but very unlikely - how would you know RAVEN and all that stuff. (only takes like 2 hours revision for the whole AS but thats still revision)

[T-o dore]

I found it quite fun and interesting - my favorite exams to do by far. 282/300.

[InnocentEyes]

Originally Posted by T-o dore

hmmm i would dispute that. I suppose its possible but very unlikely - how would you know RAVEN and all that stuff. (only takes like 2 hours revision for the whole AS but thats still revision)

I have no idea what RAVEN is and I got an A in the AS

OP I would say it depends if you can think critically already or not! sounds facetious but it's true

[jismith1989]

Originally Posted by T-o dore

I found it quite fun and interesting - my favorite exams to do by far. 282/300.

And I got a few marks higher than you, not that it matters.

[Economist1]

Originally Posted by T-o dore

hmmm i would dispute that. I suppose its possible but very unlikely - how would you know RAVEN and all that stuff. (only takes like 2 hours revision for the whole AS but thats still revision)

I talk from personal experience. You don't need to revise to remember RAVEN, and even RAVEN is not an exhaustive set of credibility criteria. Ultimately, success in Critical Thinking can largely be attributed to an ability to write fast, apply common sense and draw inferences from the passage.

There's a guy I know who got 13A* at GCSE, 99% UMS in his other 4 AS levels, but got a D in Critical Thinking.

[manderlay in flames]

IQ test dressed as an A level

[T-o dore]

Originally Posted by InnocentEyes

I have no idea what RAVEN is and I got an A in the AS

OP I would say it depends if you can think critically already or not! sounds facetious but it's true

ye you do:
reputation
ability to see/hear etc
vested interest
expertise
neutrality

[InnocentEyes]

Originally Posted by T-o dore

ye you do:
reputation
ability to see/hear etc
vested interest
expertise
neutrality

riiight well I do now you've told me, obviously!

[mimimimi]

Originally Posted by T-o dore

ye you do:
reputation
ability to see/hear etc
vested interest
expertise
neutrality

At my college we were taught 'CRAVEN' I think the 'C' stood for Corroboration...

[jismith1989]

Originally Posted by manderlay in flames

IQ test dressed as an A level

I don't know whether I'd agree with that, but it's an interesting argument as I scored highly on an IQ test too.

[Economist1]

Originally Posted by manderlay in flames

IQ test dressed as an A level

Not really...see my above post

[T-o dore]

Originally Posted by Economist1

I talk from personal experience. You don't need to revise to remember RAVEN, and even RAVEN is not an exhaustive set of credibility criteria. Ultimately, success in Critical Thinking can largely be attributed to an ability to write fast, apply common sense and draw inferences from the passage.

There's a guy I know who got 13A* at GCSE, 99% UMS in his other 4 AS levels, but got a D in Critical Thinking.

That sounds like an extreme example - my school only lets people with high-ish gcses to do it, and everyone bar 1 went on to get an A at AS in crit think of the 15 who did it.

I agree with your first points, however, the fact that practicing past questions helps you to improve shows that revision would enhance the chances of success (especially if the person is struggling with the technique or has a lack of common sense lol)