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A* at A level question thread

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Quick question:

How are a*'s handed out in science subjects? Do the a2 practical units count towards it too?
Has ANYONE received an A* or even an A in Applied ICT (OCR exam board) since 2008? i know there were reported cases and rumours about 4 years ago, but is it possible now!?
Original post by englishman129
Quick question:

How are a*'s handed out in science subjects? Do the a2 practical units count towards it too?


yes
Reply 643
is it 80% overall in AS n A2 + 90% overall in A2 to get me a A* in subjects other than maths for edexcel? I saw many saying 80% overall, but the first post said it is 90% overall?! which one is true? :s-smilie:
I got an A* last year in A-level. Totally didn't expect it! And I didn't even see it on my results sheet until my teacher pointed it out LOL.
It's not unattainable but, I suppose it's more difficult in some subjects than others.
Original post by roxylover
is it 80% overall in AS n A2 + 90% overall in A2 to get me a A* in subjects other than maths for edexcel? I saw many saying 80% overall, but the first post said it is 90% overall?! which one is true? :s-smilie:


80% in the A Level, with 90% at A2.
Reply 646
Original post by Jonty99
80% in the A Level, with 90% at A2.


and maths's slightly different? 80% in the A-level, 90% in C3 and C4? how about the remaining two units other than C1 and C2?
Original post by roxylover
and maths's slightly different? 80% in the A-level, 90% in C3 and C4? how about the remaining two units other than C1 and C2?


Maths is 80% in the A Level, with 90% average of C3 and C4.
Reply 648
Original post by Jonty99
Maths is 80% in the A Level, with 90% average of C3 and C4.


how abt the other two units which help make up the total 6, like S1,M1..etc? need not have an average of 90%?? thx
Original post by roxylover
how abt the other two units which help make up the total 6, like S1,M1..etc? need not have an average of 90%?? thx


No they don't.

You need an average of 80% across all 6 units, with an average of 90% across C3 and C4.
Conditions for an A* in mathematics
-Average of 80%
-90% in A2


Scenario 1:

Person X Person Y

80% C1 100% C1
60% C2 100% C2
70% S1 100% S1

90% C3 90% C3
84% C4 83% C4
96% S2 96% S2

Person X final grade: A* (Overall 20% 40% 30% less in AS, 1% more in A2)
Person Y final grade: A (Overall 20% 40% 30% more in A2, 1% less in A2)

In this scenario, Student Y only gets an A whereas Student X gets an A*. Is this truly relective of the student ability?



Scenario 2:

Person X Person Y

80% C1 100% C1
60% C2 100% C2
70% S1 100% S1

90% C3 90% C3
84% C4 84% C4
96% S2 96% S2

Person X final grade: A* (Overall 20% 40% 30% less in AS, Same grade in A2)
Person Y final grade: A* (Overall 20% 40% 30% more in A2, Same grade in A2)

In this scenario, both students just scrape an A*, they both only just meet the requirements yet student Y was A LOT better in AS and equal in A2.
-------------------------------
All in all, I think the A* grade needs a rethink
Hi, I got 92% in one of my AS history modules but 78% in another; can I still get an A* if I get over 90% in A2 overall?
Reply 652
Original post by Alex-jc123
Hi, I got 92% in one of my AS history modules but 78% in another; can I still get an A* if I get over 90% in A2 overall?


Yes.
Reply 653
anyone to help?
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1517646&page=12
the grade boundary for A in S1 stated in the above link is around 70, but isn't it 80% in a AS paper can get you an A in that paper?
im confused :s-smilie:
Original post by roxylover
im confused


Grade A is 80% in terms of UMS, but the raw marks needed to get 80% UMS varies depending on how hard the paper is - and may be 70.
Reply 655
so 80% is not in the overall score u get in a paper? but the UMS?
Reply 656
Original post by letsdothetimewarpagain
There's been a rise in threads recently asking about the A* grade at a level, which are all very similar to each other so I thought I'd make a single thread for any questions you have for the A* along with some of the main points in it too.

What mark do you need to be able to receive an A*?

*80% UMS overall
*90% UMS Overall for the A2 units

You can't get an A* at AS and you don't get it for getting 90% overall. Only the A2 units count towards an A* meaning even if you get 100% in your AS units, if you get 89% in your A2 units you won't get an A*.

For Maths you need to get 90% avaerage in C3 and C4 and not 3 A2 units like the others. The 80% overall still stands.



So someone could get c1= 100 c2=100 c3=90 c4=89 m1=100 s1=100
with 579/600 ums overall
and would get a "A" grade overall.

Whereas someone could get c1= 75 c2=75 c3=90 c4=90 m1=75 s1=75
with 480/600 ums overall
and would get a "A*" grade overall.

This is right?:confused: if so... it is unfair isit?
Original post by jlcf

This is right?:confused: if so... it is unfair isit?


Yes, that is correct. C3 and C4 are the hardest modules available for maths, and the A* grade depends on good results in the hardest modules. Seems reasonable to me.
Reply 658
I was talking to someone today and they said that if you resit an exam you cannot get an A* overall for the A level, and that because it was a resit they lower the percentage of your grade.

Is this true? :s-smilie:
Original post by Pimpin Juice

Original post by Pimpin Juice
It's because C1 and C2 are really easy.

Oh wait... They're all really easy. :shifty:


Arrogant git

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