What do you think about the new GCSE system?

One of the reasons why I prefer the letter system is the fact that you can't get confused if say you get a 18/20 and an A*, because they are both different letters and therefore easy to differentiate between. I'm not sure if you only get to see the letters on the proper exams as I am studying for GCSEs at the moment, please correct me if I am wrong. But what if the marker says that you got 6 marks out of lets say 10, but the actual level you get given is a 7 or a 5... It would get easily confusing. This is just my view, so sorry if you don't agree, and if you don't agree vehemently, then please state why :smile:

if so, prepare for a

of wits!

Reply 2

techno-thriller

14

It doesn't affect me but I don't see the need for the change tbh, just confused everyone.

Reply 3

techno-thriller

14

[h="3"]Students will typically take the same exams, regardless of ability[/h]The tiering system that is currently used for GCSEs - where students take different exams depending on their ability - is being scrapped for most subjects. In new GCSEs, students will normally all sit the same exam so that all have the opportunity to get the highest grades. Tiering will continue for some subjects though. For instance, maths will be tiered, since Ofqual says it is 'not possible' to design an exam that will stretch the most able while also giving less-able students the chance to demonstrate their knowledge.

I don't see what the point of this is. The '9' grade will just become easier to obtain, degrading its value.

Reply 4

Mystery_Man

I like the fact there is less "coursework" and more emphasis on exams, but still not keen on controlled assessments. Should just have 100% exams cold turkey.

Reply 5

Original post by techno-thriller

Students will typically take the same exams, regardless of ability

The tiering system that is currently used for GCSEs - where students take different exams depending on their ability - is being scrapped for most subjects. In new GCSEs, students will normally all sit the same exam so that all have the opportunity to get the highest grades. Tiering will continue for some subjects though. For instance, maths will be tiered, since Ofqual says it is 'not possible' to design an exam that will stretch the most able while also giving less-able students the chance to demonstrate their knowledge.

I don't see what the point of this is. The '9' grade will just become easier to obtain, degrading its value.

Exactly! That is why the government should stop messing around with all these levels and stuff. I mean, come on! We students have enough trouble learning stuff without having to learn the way that the markers will assess how we learn the stuff that we find extremely hard to learn in the first place! ALSO! The markers may most certainly be confused by this as well, meaning that maybe our results will not be as accurate as can be. FINALLY! What is the comparisons? I mean, what does a B mean on this new scale of madness and debauchery?!

Reply 6

OP

Original post by ArchRaziel

One of the reasons why I prefer the letter system is the fact that you can't get confused if say you get a 18/20 and an A*, because they are both different letters and therefore easy to differentiate between. I'm not sure if you only get to see the letters on the proper exams as I am studying for GCSEs at the moment, please correct me if I am wrong. But what if the marker says that you got 6 marks out of lets say 10, but the actual level you get given is a 7 or a 5... It would get easily confusing. This is just my view, so sorry if you don't agree, and if you don't agree vehemently, then please state why :smile:

if so, prepare for a

of wits!

I totally agree with this I love the letter system as it is simple but with 1-9 it just seems a bit weird! And I don't like the fact that everyone is doing the same exams, it will make everyone think they are the same ability which is obviously not true!

Also it says in the article that there is no direct conversion but they say that a foundation paper would be 1-5 and higher would be 4-9. Using this you can kind of 'guesstimate' that a C would be a 5.

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(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 7

Original post by Ben4

I totally agree with this I love the letter system as it is simple but with 1-9 it just seems a bit weird! And I don't like the fact that everyone is doing the same exams, it will make everyone think they are the same ability which is obviously not true!

Also it says in the article that there is no direct conversion but they say that a foundation paper would be 1-5 and higher would be 4-9. Using this you can kind of 'guesstimate' that a C would be a 5.

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It is just complete and utter idiocy... Just when people start to get used to the letter marking, the government go "Oh yes, lets f*ck up the system". Sorry for my language, but it is just stupidity!

Reply 8

OP

Bump - anymore opinions?

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I love Michael Gove.

I'm not doing GCSEs anymore but yeah the new system looks really confusing. Some people can crumble under the pressures of exams so hopefully the amound of '9' grades don't go dow. - these numbers just remind me of Key Stage 3 levels (which also confused me in Primary school lol).

Reply 11

OP

Original post by meenu89

I love Michael Gove.

My history teacher said she'd "happily murder Michael Gove!" :biggrin:

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Reply 12

meenu89

Original post by Ben4

My history teacher said she'd "happily murder Michael Gove!" :biggrin:

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One of my Aunts is a teacher and she says he is trying his best trying to make them leave. I haven't told her that I think he is doing a good job....

Reply 13

ageshallnot

21

Many years ago it was numbers, but 1 was high and 9 was low...

Reply 14

OP

Original post by meenu89

One of my Aunts is a teacher and she says he is trying his best trying to make them leave. I haven't told her that I think he is doing a good job....

Yeah I haven't met one teacher who agrees with him or what he is doing..

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Reply 15