Economics Applicant Thread UCAS 2012

Simplified writing is confusing You would think having learnt traditional writing that the simplified characters would be easier to read... Also, I find that if you go long periods without practising, you just forget all the words that you learn.

Just asked my maths teacher who looked at C1 and C2. He disagreed, saying they were not the easiest, but not the hardest either. Also, he mentioned that papers were ready ages ago and wouldn't have been changed just because Michael Grove said something

Simplified writing is confusing You would think having learnt traditional writing that the simplified characters would be easier to read... Also, I find that if you go long periods without practising, you just forget all the words that you learn.

That's the stuff, you'll probably know more than me by the end of the year ! Ahw I'm guessing that they're not chinese seeing as you know... Chinese people wouldn't need to learn their own language. Right?

Haha, sounds legit, standard American logic. ignoring the GBP? ahw hell nawh!

I don't think exams are too easy I mean there are only so many questions you can ask for both science and art subjects, maybe the grade boundaries are too low because they let a certain percentage get a certain grade.

x

I was discussing this with a friend a couple of days ago, its not necessarily a bad thing if exam are made harder, from an economics point of view...do you agree?

Date application sent: 19/12/11
Date of offer: 17/01/12
University: Bristol
Course code/name: L101 Economics with Study in Continental Europe (Germany)
Offer: A*AA
GCSEs: 8A*s 3As
AS Levels: AAAAB
Predicted grades: A*A*A*A

I don't understand why they don't just make the grade boundaries so a set % get each grade each year, I don't understand how there can be grade inflation if they do this?

I think it's useful to think about what it is we want an exam to achieve, which comes down to two main things: firstly, how much knowledge and understanding does the candidate have on the subject; and secondly, how does the candidate rank compared to others. The problem with the current exam system is that too many people score highly (which is perhaps because they have a good knowledge and understanding of the subject) and so it is very difficult to discriminate at the higher end. If exams were made harder (or marked more strictly, or the UMS conversion was done more harshly) then this would help solve the second problem. Personally, I would like to see raw marks and percentiles given as well as the overall grade / UMS. As for the economics point of view, it's about efficiency - if you have a university course / job / etc. that needs someone with a certain ability, but you can't distinguish them from someone with a lower ability, you'll often end up not choosing the most suitable person.

Of the universities I've applied for, it's the most quantative course. Cambridge has economic history, etc.

Simply put, my writing skills just don't cut it.

Oh, and lordvulture, I'll probably be deffering entry until 2013.

did you apply for deferred when you submit UCAS? If not, how do you defer it?

I think it's useful to think about what it is we want an exam to achieve, which comes down to two main things: firstly, how much knowledge and understanding does the candidate have on the subject; and secondly, how does the candidate rank compared to others. The problem with the current exam system is that too many people score highly (which is perhaps because they have a good knowledge and understanding of the subject) and so it is very difficult to discriminate at the higher end. If exams were made harder (or marked more strictly, or the UMS conversion was done more harshly) then this would help solve the second problem. Personally, I would like to see raw marks and percentiles given as well as the overall grade / UMS. As for the economics point of view, it's about efficiency - if you have a university course / job / etc. that needs someone with a certain ability, but you can't distinguish them from someone with a lower ability, you'll often end up not choosing the most suitable person.

I didn't apply for deffered entry, so I'll have to ask.

You send a letter asking for premission. The earlier the better according to Groat, since the do sometimes say no.

They don't do this because they claim that it doesn't reflect the increased quality of teaching and so increased education level of the students. The government encourages this so that they can say "oh look, the results are improving, it must be because children are getting smarter due to our brilliant education policy".

I didn't apply for deffered entry, so I'll have to ask.

You send a letter asking for premission. The earlier the better according to Groat, since the do sometimes say no.

Definitely the earlier the better, what do you plan To do in your gap year?

Just make some money. London is quite an expensive place to live in.

I didn't apply for deffered entry, so I'll have to ask.

You send a letter asking for premission. The earlier the better according to Groat, since the do sometimes say no.

I thought that but then if they're arguing that then surely they can't moan that grade inflation is an issue?

Just through doing a normal part time job?

I would e-mail the undergrad course tutor or undergrad admissions to enquire about it. It's generally easier for non-quant subjects like History or Govt. to get granted deferred entry but slightly harder for quant subjects -- the reasoning being that, at your age, a year out of practising math techniques is likely to affect your ability to do well on the course. But of course this can be rectified with some gentle revision in the gap year and working hard throughout the 3 years of your course.

If you're a UK student, LSE run a bursary scheme for students based on household income. There are also other types of 'hardship funds' available if you're suddenly screwed and can't afford food. Obviously the main difference is accommodation costs. But otherwise, food, drinking etc. London is expensive but not much more than other cities if you find the right places.