So many of us, currently in Year 12 going into Year 13 will have received our results for AS-levels. Some of us took "mocks", some of us took actual AS-level externally assessed qualifications. This isn't an attack on people who took mocks... that's not your problem but its an unfair system... and Ofqual should see that.
1) AS levels are put on your UCAS application, Mocks are not. So that grade sticksGot a C in a subject you didn't like? Too bad you HAVE to state it. Universities will see those grades and probably be less likely to give you an offer. They can say they'll make it fair but how?
Imagine the scenario of two students.
One is taking mocks. got 11A*'s at GCSE. and in his mocks BBC. Universities won't see these grades. The other is taking AS levels. Got 11A*'s at GCSE and in his mocks BBC. Universities will see the BBC.
So Mock exam results are not stated and probably for good reason because it leads on to other issues
To note: universities are always looking for "recent" academic achievement... seeing your AS level results will probably stop them from giving you an offer
1a) They were internally assessed by your teacher who may be slightly biased when marking. We all know "teachers pets" are an actual thing.
1b) Remarking... AS-level takers have to pay £50 quid or more to get it remarked but for those taking mocks you simply ask your teacher to remark it for you.
1c) cheating. You can cheat on a mock.. I have friends from another college who have to retake their exams because the teacher discovered they already had access to the paper. Call it a one-off slip but lets face it.. its an issue.
2) Going back to the scenario of two students.
So the first student who took the mocks, got BBC for AS levels. His teacher knows he's a good student and his teacher to predict him AAB.
The second student has taken real AS-levels and whatever grade he got will stick as his predicted. BBC? His predicted will be BBC... at a stretch it will be ABC. Point is, mock results DO NOT MATTER THAT MUCH. Ofqual have ignored external factors such as teacher bias. I have a friend at another college who received a C in her French Mock yet her teacher predicted her an A* because they believe her to be capable. Why is it that when AS-level takers have a bad exam, it sticks?
That's my rant over. If I've missed anything I'll add it.
What do you guys think?
Its also unfair on those who do well in AS, cause essentially they count for nothing. But if you don't do well then you wont get the predicted grades needed.
This is supposed to be a fair system... If other people have a better chance of getting into a good university then fk the system.my point is EVERYONE should do AS-Reforms then. Why should some do it and some not?