GCSEs better than A-levels?

I recently studied the equivalent of a GCSE in horticulture and I'm now doing the A-level one. It got me thinking, the GCSE level of most subjects takes you from zero knowledge to tonnes of knowledge really quickly.

Where as A-levels just build on that knowledge.

So actually, I think GCSEs are better than A-levels. Discuss.

What do you think?!

Reply 1

dskinner

2

Original post by Captain Jack

I recently studied the equivalent of a GCSE in horticulture and I'm now doing the A-level one. It got me thinking, the GCSE level of most subjects takes you from zero knowledge to tonnes of knowledge really quickly.

Where as A-levels just build on that knowledge.

So actually, I think GCSEs are better than A-levels. Discuss.

What do you think?!

Of course if you want to accept someone into a maths course in your uni and you have 2 excat same students who did the same thing but one did GCSE's and the other did s full A-level course then obviously i would choose the person who's done the A-level simply because they're better qualified to take the course the uni offers.

So no to get a "better" job in my eyes A-level is a necessity.

Then again the only ones which "really" count are GCSE maths and English since they tell people how good you are at basic maths and english skills.

So the saying "Jack of all trades but master of none"
You 're saying that it's better to be good at many many subjects(jack of all trades) but not to be really really awesome at one thing(master of one.or more)

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 2

Captain Jack

OP

20

Hi guys,

I wondered what you thought of this discussion as you're closest to education?

Jack

Spoiler

Gingerbread101

x

Airmed

x

thehistorybore

x

Adam9317

x

Tiger Rag

x

Princepieman

x

Little Tail Chaser

x

SeanFM

x

Deyesy

x

AngryJellyfish

x

Mochassassin

x

Kvothe the arcane

x

georgiaswift

x

Smack

x

thecatwithnohat

x

Alleycat393

x

Reply 3

Queen Cersei

18

Original post by Captain Jack

Hi guys,

I wondered what you thought of this discussion as you're closest to education?

Jack

Spoiler

Shameless.

Reply 4

Roving Fish

22

I think that you're right, in that GCSEs pick you up and give you a basic general knowledge, then you build on that knowledge - which could seem more gradual, at an A-level.

University then gives you chance to specialise in areas and do self-research. I'm not sure that any level of education is better than the other, but they certainly work as intended.

Reply 5

troubadour.

19

If you want to dabble casually in a subject you initially don't know anything about, sure. But if you have a serious, longstanding interest in the subject, then A Levels > GCSEs. And I say that as someone who hated A Levels. :tongue:

Overall, though: informal study > A Levels > GCSEs.

Reply 6

Airmed

21

@Captain Jack Shameless propaganda!

I studied Politics at A Level, which you can't do as a GCSE, so in some ways that was starting from scratch. But yes, when you study a subject from A Level on-wards, that should be about building knowledge.

Reply 7

Airmed

21

Also, @Captain Jack, you quoted yourself. :mmm:

Reply 8

Carnationlilyrose

18

Are bikes with training wheels on better than bikes without?

Reply 9

Charles III

21

Original post by Queen Cersei

Shameless.

Original post by Airmed

@Captain Jack Shameless propaganda!

I studied Politics at A Level, which you can't do as a GCSE, so in some ways that was starting from scratch. But yes, when you study a subject from A Level on-wards, that should be about building knowledge.

Hear, hear! Cersei and Airmed have it right. :proud:

I.e. It depends? :dontknow:

WAIT. Oh yes, further to me being slow… Shameless by Cersei refers to you not being ~smooth~. I agree with Cersei also. Sorry, illness is making me very slow. :colondollar:

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 10

F1's Finest

21

Original post by Captain Jack

I recently studied the equivalent of a GCSE in horticulture and I'm now doing the A-level one. It got me thinking, the GCSE level of most subjects takes you from zero knowledge to tonnes of knowledge really quickly.

Where as A-levels just build on that knowledge.

So actually, I think GCSEs are better than A-levels. Discuss.

What do you think?!

Haha Jack,

Spoiler

Using Maths GCSE as an example (from what I can remember), we got taught the basics in each field e.g. algebra, calculus; in A-level you got to really build on the core knowledge.

It probably differs to a Humanities subject.

You got to learn way more in A-level maths than GCSE level. In A-level we never had to use protractors and all of that.....

Reply 11

CheeseIsVeg

22

Original post by Queen Cersei

Shameless.

Original post by Captain Jack

Hi guys,

I wondered what you thought of this discussion as you're closest to education

Original post by Airmed

@Captain Jack Shameless propaganda!

I studied Politics at A Level, which you can't do as a GCSE, so in some ways that was starting from scratch. But yes, when you study a subject from A Level on-wards, that should be about building knowledge.

This competition calls for desperate measures :rofl:

Spoiler

Reply 12

Captain Jack

OP

20

Original post by Airmed

@Captain Jack Shameless propaganda!

I studied Politics at A Level, which you can't do as a GCSE, so in some ways that was starting from scratch. But yes, when you study a subject from A Level on-wards, that should be about building knowledge.

Original post by Hydeman

If you want to dabble casually in a subject you initially don't know anything about, sure. But if you have a serious, longstanding interest in the subject, then A Levels > GCSEs. And I say that as someone who hated A Levels. :tongue:

Overall, though: informal study > A Levels > GCSEs.

Original post by iEthan

Hear, hear! Cersei and Airmed have it right. :proud:

I.e. It depends? :dontknow:

WAIT. Oh yes, further to me being slow… Shameless by Cersei refers to you not being ~smooth~. I agree with Cersei also. Sorry, illness is making me very slow. :colondollar:

Original post by James A

Haha Jack,

Spoiler

Using Maths GCSE as an example (from what I can remember), we got taught the basics in each field e.g. algebra, calculus; in A-level you got to really build on the core knowledge.

It probably differs to a Humanities subject.

You got to learn way more in A-level maths than GCSE level. In A-level we never had to use protractors and all of that.....

Haha, sorry, I got caught up in the moment :lol:

I suppose ultimately GCSEs are more important as from there you can build knowledge yourself potentially. Except in subjects where you can't do a GCSE or they teach entirely new things?

Reply 13

Deyesy

20

Have to disagree that GCSE's are better than A Levels!

A Levels require 'understanding' of the knowledge whereas GCSE's - I found at least, just required me to 'learn' the information.

Reply 14

troubadour.

19

Original post by James A

Using Maths GCSE as an example (from what I can remember), we got taught the basics in each field e.g. algebra, calculus; in A-level you got to really build on the core knowledge.

You were taught calculus at GCSE? How long has it been since you did GCSEs? :lol:

Original post by CheeseIsVeg

This competition calls for desperate measures :rofl:

Spoiler

Reply 15

The_Meritocrat

2

Compulsory GCSE Religious Studies. (Bad enough on TSR; I have 'learnt' way too much about Islam here.)

/thread.

Reply 16

AngryJellyfish

Chat Forum Helper, Entertainment Forum Helper

18

Original post by Captain Jack

Hi guys,

I wondered what you thought of this discussion as you're closest to education?

Jack

I've forgotten more A-Level material over the past 10 years than I was ever taught to begin with. :proud:

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 17

ForestCat

18

I don't really know if the two are comparable. If you're talking about them when taken at normal school age, they are probably equally appropriate. GCSEs IMO are more a case of introducing the concepts and just being told to accept and learn those concepts. A-levels then expand on it but in a way that requires more thought and understanding on the part of the student.

Of course, they both become redundant when you come to study those subjects at a Higher education level (at least for science) when you generally get told the stuff that you learn at GCSE is simplified ******** and the real answer is X or that we actually just don't know.

But it also all depends on why you're doing them. If its for general interest then who cares, pick which level suits you. If you're trying to gauge someones academic ability, I would be more interested in what they have done afterwards. GCSEs and A-levels, particularly for the 'academically gifted' students, often just become an exercise in mark scheme memorisation and repetition of past papers. Like @AngryJellyfish says, most people forget more than they ever learned at a-level and any knowledge learned is often replaced by degree knowledge or on the job experience (which IMO is the best way to learn anything).

Original post by Captain Jack

Hi guys,

I wondered what you thought of this discussion as you're closest to education?

Jack

Spoiler

Reply 18

CheeseIsVeg

22

Original post by Hydeman

You were taught calculus at GCSE? How long has it been since you did GCSEs? :lol:

Spoiler

ehehehe

Spoiler

Reply 19

troubadour.

19

Original post by ForestCat

Like @AngryJellyfish says, most people forget more than they ever learned at a-level and any knowledge learned is often replaced by degree knowledge or on the job experience (which IMO is the best way to learn anything).

Controversial. :ninja:

GCSEs better than A-levels?

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