What were your GCSE results?

Reply 80

99 A*'s.

Its not easy though if you want to learn how to program in multiple languages like I did. You need to put aside at least 2 hours a day for 3 years and I did like 5 hours a day for 2/3 years. But to be perfectly honest it is a totally viable option if you are interested in becoming a software engineer. But be prepared to work your ass off! But to get your first job, its not that hard you only need to have a good understanding of a couple languages (I used C++ and Java mainly). It is probably better than going down the education system only if you are seriously considering this line of work. The only other alternative would be GCSE Computing and ICT then Alevel Computing and IT but the stuff they teach is very basic and you are not going to get a decent job with these two computing qualifications. The thing with the software engineering scene right now is that companies couldn't give a flying fu*k about your qualifications they just want you to be able to write the code properly. If you learn it right it is very easy to land your first job and then it just gets easier from there.

Reply 82

Rosie_xxxoo

2

Hi ive got a question.
When we retake exam for example english and maths this november is it gonna be the same paper that we dis in june or a different one?

Reply 83

KristaWinchester

8

4 A*s, 3As and 4Bs. (A*- RE, Business, English Lang, History; A-Psychology (disappointed), French, Literature; B- 3 sciences and Maths).
Ecstatic with the B in Maths- I got a low C in my ''easy'' mock, so I was dreading results. Getting a Literature remark to try and bump it up to an A* (one mark off).
I was pleased with them on the day but as days go on I feel a little like the village idiot. I see everyone on here boasting 1078309730370743 A*s and it's suddenly hit me that while I was ''clever'' in my school I am by no means the Oxbridge material I thought I was at the beginning of GCSEs.

Reply 84

KristaWinchester

8

Original post by Rosie_xxxoo

Hi ive got a question.
When we retake exam for example english and maths this november is it gonna be the same paper that we dis in june or a different one?

A different one

Reply 85

KristaWinchester

8

Original post by AfcFob

Wow that is VERY early. I got 1A* 8A's and 2B's (hopefully my English Lang will be remarked) by starting revision in March. I never gave up my social life (TKD, Explorers etc) and still got grades in the top 5% in the country

Hi! Sorry for the stupid question, but how did you find out the %? Want to see how my grades compare :smile:

Reply 86

Not_a_horse

13

Original post by alexcboar

Its not easy though if you want to learn how to program in multiple languages like I did. You need to put aside at least 2 hours a day for 3 years and I did like 5 hours a day for 2/3 years. But to be perfectly honest it is a totally viable option if you are interested in becoming a software engineer. But be prepared to work your ass off! But to get your first job, its not that hard you only need to have a good understanding of a couple languages (I used C++ and Java mainly). It is probably better than going down the education system only if you are seriously considering this line of work. The only other alternative would be GCSE Computing and ICT then Alevel Computing and IT but the stuff they teach is very basic and you are not going to get a decent job with these two computing qualifications. The thing with the software engineering scene right now is that companies couldn't give a flying fu*k about your qualifications they just want you to be able to write the code properly. If you learn it right it is very easy to land your first job and then it just gets easier from there.

Hello Mr.Mark Zuckerberg, I did computing for my GCSEs and got an A*, I wasn't half serious about career wise but I enjoyed it a lot. When I start to look at computing at the top universities the minimum requirement are a constant array of A*s in mathematics and from my GCSE computing knowledge programming requires a lot of mathematical logic, so if you were so good at programming as you say then how did you manage to create 'programmes' for the military without a basic qualification in maths (I'm not trying to be rude but a C grade in maths is literally 45 marks out of 200).

Reply 87

WannabeDoctor98

11

Original post by hihihihihi

99 A*'s.

Same 💁

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 88

Not_a_horse

13

Original post by KristaWinchester

Hi! Sorry for the stupid question, but how did you find out the %? Want to see how my grades compare :smile:

For each subject I guess http://www.bstubbs.co.uk/gcse.htm

Reply 89

drapplepilot

9

Original post by user5432

I'm starting year 11 soon, and was just wondering - when did you guys start to revise?

I've already started to revise - 5 hours a day, is it too early right now?

I'm starting year 11 to (but in our school apparently we started at the end of june). I thought I was the only one to start revising from now a couple of hours a day. There's isn't anything bad with starting early aha.

Reply 90

WannabeDoctor98

11

Original post by drapplepilot

I'm starting year 11 to (but in our school apparently we started at the end of june). I thought I was the only one to start revising from now a couple of hours a day. There's isn't anything bad with starting early aha.

Honestly you will run out of steam by the exam period. Don't waste a year of your social life revising, it's not worth it.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 91

Lewishier

6

Original post by alexcboar

Would you trade in all your GCSE's now to be fluent in every programming language?

I worked damned hard in my GCSES and have 12A*s. I am also proficient in C, Python and Swift. To be honest, you could have learnt code while still finishing education. And no. Proficiency in programming languages means nothing to me. It is a hobby I have not somethin I wish to sacrifice my future over.

Reply 92

drapplepilot

9

Original post by WannabeDoctor98

Honestly you will run out of steam by the exam period. Don't waste a year of your social life revising, it's not worth it.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Thanks for the advice!
But my social life is safe and I have enough time to do all I like (socialising, riding my bike, housework(not that I like it) and watching TV) and still have time to revise.
I don't know but I like doing maths questions and science papers. I'm a little weird in that sense.

Reply 93

alexcboar

2

Original post by Not_a_horse

Hello Mr.Mark Zuckerberg, I did computing for my GCSEs and got an A*, I wasn't half serious about career wise but I enjoyed it a lot. When I start to look at computing at the top universities the minimum requirement are a constant array of A*s in mathematics and from my GCSE computing knowledge programming requires a lot of mathematical logic, so if you were so good at programming as you say then how did you manage to create 'programmes' for the military without a basic qualification in maths (I'm not trying to be rude but a C grade in maths is literally 45 marks out of 200).

When applying for jobs as a software engineer employers care about experience not qualifications. I have worked with some recent uni grads before and they don't know what the fu*k they are doing. Yeah sure they know how some languages work but they don't know how to use any of the software which most business run.
Math used in programming is completely different to GCSE maths.

For example look at this job ad: http://careers.hereisthecity.com/job/core-java-developer-chicago-trading-firm-464125/

Notice how they don't ask for any qualifications they are basically just saying "if you know how to do this then please send a cv"

And this is just one of the thousands of jobs that are out there. And this is actually one of the simpler ones having a closer look.

///EDIT/// http://www.cwjobs.co.uk/JobSearch/JobDetails.aspx?JobId=63349327
Here is another one again not asking for qualifications it is asking you if you can do the tasks the job requires.

Also the good thing about contracting is that if you go through your own limited company you only end up paying 28.6% tax max. My first job paid about 40k net but after you get a years of experience it picks up ever so quickly. My first job was a year contract and after that I did a 6 month contract and made in the region of 85000 net. With my last two jobs they have netted me six figures each year.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 94

alexcboar

2

Original post by Lewishier

I worked damned hard in my GCSES and have 12A*s. I am also proficient in C, Python and Swift. To be honest, you could have learnt code while still finishing education. And no. Proficiency in programming languages means nothing to me. It is a hobby I have not somethin I wish to sacrifice my future over.

You may be proficient but you have to actually have to learn how to use the business applications that most companies use and it can be quite challenging as many companies use a wide variety. For me the hardest part was learning how to use the business applications because companies don't really want to train you if you are go to get paid hundreds a day, however on my first job I got training but they "renegotiated" my salary, it doesn't bother me by a great deal though as it helped me get my foot in the door.

Reply 95

Banana00

21

Original post by AnIndianGuy

11 A*'s - with an A^ in Further Maths. Hehe

Congratulations!! You must be really proud of your achievement :tongue:

Reply 96

HenryKenry

12

7a* 4a's

Werent to please with my AS levels tho

Reply 97

Lewishier

6

Original post by alexcboar

You may be proficient but you have to actually have to learn how to use the business applications that most companies use and it can be quite challenging as many companies use a wide variety. For me the hardest part was learning how to use the business applications because companies don't really want to train you if you are go to get paid hundreds a day, however on my first job I got training but they "renegotiated" my salary, it doesn't bother me by a great deal though as it helped me get my foot in the door.

You wouldn't have needed to get your foot in the door if you had some qualifications to back up your skills.

Reply 98

alexcboar

2

Original post by Lewishier

You wouldn't have needed to get your foot in the door if you had some qualifications to back up your skills.

I got my foot in the door just before I turned 17, if I went on and did A levels and University that would have taken me 5-6 years altogether, Now I am earning right at the top of the software chain whereas a new graduate will earn at the bottom, I think my choice was the better option. Also this means I have had an extra 5 years of working which means 5 years worth of salary which is very valuable.

And also if I did get qualifications I still wouldn't know how to use most business applications that software engineering roles require. So every software and computer science grad are still going to have to find a company that will want to hire them and have to train them.