Is there ANY correlation whatsoever between BMAT score and GCSE/A Level grades?

lekky

Yeah I can't imagine thick people would do particuarly well. BMAT is considered to be more a reflection of ability than UKCAT, right?

Well that statement implies a correlation between intelligence and GCSEs and A Levels. I believe there is one, but others may disagree.

Reply 4

lekky

19

Jonty99

Well that statement implies a correlation between intelligence and GCSEs and A Levels. I believe there is one, but others may disagree.

What is the arguement for there not being a correlation between intelligence and GCSEs and A Level scores?

Reply 5

lekky

What is the arguement for there not being a correlation between intelligence and GCSEs and A Level scores?

I don't think there is an argument. Some people would probably say that A Levels don't prove intelligence. But then again, I'm sure they wouldn't dispute there was a correlation.

Basically just ignore what I said. :p:

Reply 6

Melancholy

20

I believe there is a correlation between exam results and "intelligence" (depending on how one defines it). I think an important and obvious observation is that GCSE and A-Level marks schemes and syllabuses have a more concrete, finite and specific content which may favour people who have better memories and understanding rather than those who can communicate their thoughts when thinking more outside of the box. An interesting question, all the same; but generally I assume that a great level of intelligence, writing skills and knowledge will help you fare better in both forms of examination. Thus perhaps there is a [slight] positive correlation.

Reply 7

I think there is some sort of correlation but probably not too strong. I know someone who got quite average GCSES Bs/Cs and a few As who got about 4 on the science section of the BMAT and someone else who was a straight A* student who got the EXACT same mark. Strange.

Reply 8

*Princess*

I think there is some sort of correlation but probably not too strong. I know someone who got quite average GCSES Bs/Cs and a few As who got about 4 on the science section of the BMAT and someone else who was a straight A* student who got the EXACT same mark. Strange.

However, I'd doubt very much people with lots of Bs and Cs could get 6+, whereas I'd say that for someone will lots of A*s and As it'd be more likely.

Reply 9

Moronic Acid

Generally speaking yes - someone with all A*s is more likely to do well than someone with all Cs

Having said that, the variance between top-achievers at GCSE is pretty large (i.e. there are plenty of people with only a few A*s who do far better in the BMAT than people with loads)

Reply 10

Jonty99

However, I'd doubt very much people with lots of Bs and Cs could get 6+, whereas I'd say that for someone will lots of A*s and As it'd be more likely.

Yeah ditto
However, the main issue with BMAT is timing, AFAIK
With GCSEs there is always some time at the end of the exam to double-check answers etc but with BMAT there is hardly enough time to finish the qs never mind go back to check!

Reply 11

Moronic Acid

Generally speaking yes - someone with all A*s is more likely to do well than someone with all Cs

Having said that, the variance between top-achievers at GCSE is pretty large (i.e. there are plenty of people with only a few A*s who do far better in the BMAT than people with loads)

Yeah perhaps their few A* were in the sciences so they were good at that section? Lack of an A* in an irrelevant subjects such as French is hardly going to impact the BMAT score.

Reply 12

*Princess*

Yeah perhaps their few A* were in the sciences so they were good at that section? Lack of an A* in an irrelevant subjects such as French is hardly going to impact the BMAT score.

I just think that people with Bs and Cs probably won't do well in general.

However, those with A*s and As can do well, but could also mess it up. So there would be a correlation.

Reply 13

Moronic Acid

*Princess*

Yeah perhaps their few A* were in the sciences so they were good at that section? Lack of an A* in an irrelevant subjects such as French is hardly going to impact the BMAT score.

I completely disagree

There's only one science section, whereas the other 2 involve verbal reasoning and essay writing - which language students are heavily schooled in (in fact most of my friends who did well had at least one non-science a-level)

Reply 14

Jonty99

I just think that people with Bs and Cs probably won't do well in general.

However, those with A*s and As can do well, but could also mess it up. So there would be a correlation.

I can see where you're coming from but I also think that it depends on the reasons WHY they got mediocre GCSE results. If it was due to lack of effort etc then maybe they pulled their socks up for AS-Level and ended up with As so then their AS level knowledge would be sufficient to score a high enough mark on the BMAT. NB the BMAT is done in November of the A2 year NOT straight after GCSEs so there is almost a 1.5 year gap and changes could happen.

Reply 15

jimjomjam

1

Some pretty intelligent people seem to do badly in BMATs.

Reply 16

jimjomjam

Some pretty intelligent people seem to do badly in BMATs.

Yes, but do some pretty stupid people do well?

This is the thing I previously said in this thread. Let's assume GCSEs and A Levels correlate with intelligence. Unintelligent people probably won't do well in the BMAT. Intelligent people can do well or not do well.

Reply 17