GCSE&#x27;s- A waste of time?

GlitterStorm

Well, there's the fact that the majority of people won't be able to cope with doing an AS at age 14. This would also mean that lots of students would end up dropping core subjects too early on.

Plus, there's also the matter of people not having any idea of what career or subjects they would like to persue later on. How are 14 year olds meant to make a decision about what they want to study if they hadn't experienced that subject at GCSE level? It would be a disaster.

I know this is probably an attention grabbing post, but if you were really able enough to start your AS in year 10, then you should have been moved up a year.

somebody rep this girl.

Reply 4

7589200

18

We aren't as intelligent as you Kish, sadly. :rolleyes:

I certainly wouldn't have been able to do AS Levels at 14. :redface:

The GCSE hasn't really helped in terms of knowledge (I've even forgotten most of the Ion Tests in Chemistry!! :eek:

) but they have allowed us time to mature and given us intellectual qualities that will help us AS Levels. Also, as the previous poster mentioned, the GCSEs gave us time to sample different subjects in order for us to make a more informed decision about AS Levels. :yy:

And it would be silly to comprimise your grades at AS Levels by doing them 2 years early. :confused:

Furthermore, what is wrong with having a bit of a cake walk for 2 years at GCSE?! :smile:

Reply 5

Vazzyb

We aren't as intelligent as you Kish, sadly. I certainly wouldn't have been able to do AS Levels at 14.

The GCSE hasn't really helped in terms of knowledge (I've even forgotten most of the Ion Tests in Chemistry!!), but they have allowed us time to mature and given us intellectual qualities that will help us AS Levels.

And it would be silly to comprimise your grades at AS Levels by doing them 2 years early. Furthermore, what is wrong with havinga bit of a cake walk for 2 years at GCSE?!

Agreed. And also, what would Universities look to for competitive courses like Medicine where most applicants have AAA, strong work experience, strong personal statements and strong references; SATs? :rolleyes:

I doubt it very much.

Reply 6

Kish_Kash_1

OP

GlitterStorm

Well, there's the fact that the majority of people won't be able to cope with doing an AS at age 14. This would also mean that lots of students would end up dropping core subjects too early on.

Plus, there's also the matter of people not having any idea of what career or subjects they would like to persue later on. How are 14 year olds meant to make a decision about what they want to study if they hadn't experienced that subject at GCSE level? It would be a disaster.

I know this is probably an attention grabbing post, but if you were really able enough to start your AS in year 10, then you should have been moved up a year.

I didn't say that '14 year olds should do A Levels', I just stated that GCSE's are a waste of time, hence we should get rid of them. Instead, we should have 14 year olds preparing for A Levels. Maybe I'm commenting on my experience because I was mature at 14 years of age, but hey, it isn't my fault if the UK is filled with idiots. I guess I'm one of the fortunate ones.

Good points you mentioned.

Every post is an attention grabbing post, otherwise no one would reply. 'Moving up a year' is frown upon in my school; but I bet that if i was at any other school (with a decent reputation) then at this moment in time, I would be celebrating my AS Level results, which, I think will be straight A's.

Reply 7

Kish_Kash_1

I didn't say that '14 year olds should do A Levels', I just stated that GCSE's are a waste of time, hence we should get rid of them. Instead, we should have 14 year olds preparing for A Levels.

Unless you suggest possible systems to replace the GCSE, that means f**k all. Prepare for A-levels can mean many different things.

Kish_Kash_1

Maybe I'm commenting on my experience because I was mature at 14 years of age, but hey, it isn't my fault if the UK is filled with idiots. I guess I'm one of the fortunate ones.

So people are idiots because they haven't naturally matured? :rolleyes:

Kish_Kash_1

Good points you mentioned.

They were, but I'm afriad your argument (if you can even call it that) lacks many of these.

Kish_Kash_1

Every post is an attention grabbing post, otherwise no one would reply.

Stop exploiting like a pedant. You know what she means; your post was aiming to spark conflict (some may call this "trolling").

Kish_Kash_1

'Moving up a year' is frown upon in my school; but I bet that if i was at any other school (with a decent reputation) then at this moment in time, I would be celebrating my AS Level results, which, I think will be straight A's.

Dream on, baby.

Reply 8

GlitterStorm

Uhhh, when you said people should go on to A levels, I assumed you meant they would take the place of GCSEs in years 10/11. Again, "preparing" for A levels means people would need a fair idea of what A levels they wanted to do. Anyone wanting to leave school at age 16 and work or train for a job would have no qualifications. How would that work?

Ok, I'll explain. By "attention grabbing", I meant that quite a few of the statements you make tend to get people's backs up. If you don't want a negative reception and want people to consider your argument, try rephrasing your posts a bit.

Reply 9

GlitterStorm

Haha, you beat me to it, Pixelated :p:

Trolling is a fitting discription.

Reply 10

henryt

GCSEs = A test of how much you can remember/how well you underline things in red/jumping through hoops; NOT a test of intelligence, as they should be.

I think that they were a complete waste of my time. They are, however, neccessary to the Educational system...

I am, by no means, agreeing or conversing with Kish_Kash, or with any of his views on education. I am merely stating my point of view.

Reply 11

GlitterStorm

Haha, you beat me to it, Pixelated :p:

Trolling is a fitting discription.

I'm refreshing like a schizo here! :p:

Reply 12

Chewwy

henryt

GCSEs = A test of how much you can remember/how well you underline things in red/jumping through hoops; NOT a test of intelligence, as they should be.

I think that they were a complete waste of my time. They are, however, neccessary to the Educational system.

wow. i didn't expect you to say that.

Reply 13

7589200

18

henryt

I think that they were a complete waste of my time. They are, however, neccessary to the Educational system.

Maybe not a complete of waste of time. But almost there yea :yy:

Reply 14

henryt

I think that they were a complete waste of my time. They are, however, neccessary to the Educational system.

Yeah, of course. I've said this in other posts but all GCSEs really measure is how teachable you are. There are of course some elements of intelligence that can help - i.e. a good natural aptitude in maths (i.e. logic) can help greatly - but is by no means imperative for the obtaining of an A*.

Reply 15

henryt

chewwy

wow. i didn't expect you to say that.

Heh - that's not to say that I'm not proud of my results :biggrin:

. I just don't think they test anything tangibley useful, in the way that they should be.

vazzyb

Maybe not a complete of waste of time. But almost there yea

Isn't exaggeration fun :wink:

!!

Pixelated

Yeah, of course. I've said this in other posts but all GCSEs really measure is how teachable you are. There are of course some elements of intelligence that can help - i.e. a good natural aptitude in maths (i.e. logic) can help greatly - but is by no means imperative for the obtaining of an A*.

Well - I should hope that GCSEs favour the intelligent, or something really would be wrong!

Reply 16

Chewwy

you can make of gcses what you want. clever people know they can go on the internet, get a specification, and learn exactly what it asks for. this is the most 'efficient' way of doing gcses. however it doesnt give you any advantage when proceeding onto the next stage.

what i found myself doing was looking on the internet for revision, and, such is the nature of the internet, finding out much more than was asked of me. while it i could have looked at a CGP book and achieved the same grade, this way i've built up more practical knowledge.

but unless you wanna go on with the subject from there, this goes unnoticed and is pointless. so yeah, GCSEs suck. i've ruined my own argument.

Reply 17

JonnyB

2

I agree, don't bother with your GCSEs.

Did I mention, McDonalds is having a major recruitment season at the moment...?

Reply 18

henryt

I would hope that GCSEs favour the intelligent, or something really would be wrong!

Yes, comprehension is an aspect of intelligence, albeit not one which is commonly associated with "being clever" for some reason. So if someone lacks comprehension, they are perhaps not very teachable? That's my theory anyway; probably inaccurate...

Reply 19