[InTheFade]

This thread was inspired by bananarama's reply to 'drinking age rising to 21' but it's something I've always thought (and not just because my GCSE results were so bad) and maybe some people will agree that exam results are an unreliable way of testing a person's intelligence. This is definitely true in my case, as I said, my exam results were generally terrible and disappointing but it's not because I'm really thick (well not as thick as you'd believe from looking at those results) but because my ability to recall details when I'm under a lot of pressure is rubbish and I'm sure I'm not the only one. I think it's really unfair that your academic future is determined by GCSE results when it should be determined by your actual level of intellect. It's even worse that there are plans to scrap coursework and only use exams to decide pupils' GCSE grades because, in my opinion, you'd get a lot more information about someone's brainpower by analysing a more carefully thought-out piece of work completed by a realistic deadline.

[James]

Exams aren't very realistic for the real world. Coursework, projects and group work are more realistic but the trouble with them is that no-one can ever prove that someone didn't get help with them. It's the same with university [exams and coursework].

[cepb]

I think it's a matter of personal preference. I work best under pressure and I always get the best results in exams. But then I just can't be bothered when it comes to coursework and without the adreniline of an exam, I can't find the motivation to produce the best work possible. But then there's some people who like to have plenty of time to re-draft their work over and over again.

So it depends on what type of person you are. But unfortunately, coursework can only ever really account for a minority of the marks because of the suspicion of cheating and so on.

[Wiglet]

GCSEs are supposedly fairer than the old O Levels and CSEs that came before them which were predominately exams with a teeny part of very few of them being course work. So I have to say I personally think what is in place now appears to be better than what used to around.

I did not work hard at school, to be honest I bunked off for most of year eight to year ten and by the time I had realised I wanted to pass some exams it was too late. I passed my CSEs but some only just. My maths and english were very poor and grade 4s which is like about a grade E GCSE. Eight years ago I decided to re-take both english and maths GCSE as I wanted to prove something to myself. We are not all capable at school and some of us develop later in life and maybe InTheFade you are the same?
When I re-took my maths I got a B and in my english I surpassed myself and got an A!!! I've told both of my children they have to beat me now which is our joke because they have two scores to choose from.

The school my daughter was at was specialized in vocational courses as well as performing arts and maths and computing! Too many subjects (which is why she's not there). But maybe it is not such a bad thing to have different sorts of education for different pupils? We all learn in differing ways and some of us are not academic. The government is pushing specialist schools and that is great however I wish the government would stop for five minutes and allow the teachers to teach and give them a break. The pupils need a break from all of these initiatives too - There are too many and that could be why some pupils are failing to make the grade.

[Sunny_01]

My eldest daughter really struggled under the pressure of exams, the mere word exam used to make her sweat and shake. Her school were fantastic, along with a connexions adviser they allowed her to take her GCSE exams in a more controlled environment. She was allowed to wear headphones and a CD player but the CD's had to be shop bought and tested by the invigilator. She was in a smaller room with only a couple of others who were there for differing reasons and it made a real difference to how she felt and performed.

My youngest is like Cepb, she excels under pressure and really enjoys the challenge of exams, tests etcc a bit like myself really. She has learnt form me only to be scared if you havent done the work. I keep reminding her that if she does the work it will come much easier to her so she does.

Being a big supporter of life long learning means I always encourage others to go with it and learn something new. At the moment as well as work I am doing a 12 week distance learning dementia care course, an ILM course, and also have moving and handling train the trainer course and a V1 verifiers course booked in.

[Lauren]

They're not applicable to the real world, and they're based on your ability to recall facts to some extent.

However, I have a really bad memory (due to a knock on the head a few years ago - silly me, I know), but I put every ounce of energy, spare time, and my soul into those exams and got what I thought was some damn good grades.

I know there are smart people who don't get good grades, it'd be silly to say that everyone who has bad grades aren't intelligent (I have many friends as examples) - but I have quite high grades and the only way I can explain that is because I don't just recall facts etc- it's because I understand concepts.

I'm far from intelligent, but because I put so much of my effort into exams (and have made myself seriously ill a lot of times from it) I learn each concept and really have to understand it.

I think I'm referring more to AS/A2 levels than GCSE though, because the majority of GCSE was multiple choice (bar some Science and English) - whereas with AS/A2 you can't just learn facts - you HAVE to understand.
I did averagely on my GCSE's (1 A*, 3 A's, 3 B's, 4 C's) but got higher than average on A2 levels because they're based on understanding, whereas GCSE is based on memorising facts.

[Jack]

I agree with Lauren. At GCSE, you could pretty much wing it without understanding the subject if you had a good memory. At A-level it is a lot more theory based (at least for the subjects I studied). I remember really struggling with Chemistry and Biology at GCSE but rather than trying to understand it, I just accepted it and remebered it. I ended up getting an "A" in both at GCSE.

A-level is more conceptual. You learn an idea and have to apply it to different situations. At GCSE you were almost given the method (especially in Maths) and just had to number punch in your calculator.

[Nicola]

I found GCSE exams easier than A-levels, as I struggle with inferential concepts and thinking "outside the box" I sometimes found it more difficult to understand the question and apply theories to it. GCSE exams were better as I understood most of what was being asked, Maths and Science were most difficult for me as I struggled a lot with aspects of those subjects. I also remember fearing the results and was sometimes ill the night before an exam because I'd get so worked up over the possibility of failing and not pleasing my family as they had such high expectations of me.

[bananarama]

Exams prove that you remembered what you are supposed to remember on the day of the exam only.... Three days or three months later a different kettle of fish may well apply to many but not all............

The only real proof of ability is when you get the chance to practice what you think you know...

[Lauren]

Originally posted by bananarama
Exams prove that you remembered what you are supposed to remember on the day of the exam only.... Three days or three months later a different kettle of fish may well apply to many but not all............

The only real proof of ability is when you get the chance to practice what you think you know...

Are you referring to GCSE? If so, thats true.

Anything beyond GCSE it doesn't really apply because you can't "memorise" or "remember" anything for AS/A2 levels - you need to fully understand each concept.

[bananarama]

Originally posted by Lauren

Are you referring to GCSE? If so, thats true.

Anything beyond GCSE it doesn't really apply because you can't "memorise" or "remember" anything for AS/A2 levels - you need to fully understand each concept.

Ok. re-phrase. Anything the mind has to deal with...Including memory including concepts.. The mind as a total. May work on the day in question but three days or three months later a different kettle of fish for some but not all....

[Lauren]

Isn't that the same with learning anything, ever?

[bananarama]

Originally posted by Lauren
Isn't that the same with learning anything, ever?

Yep.....

[Lauren]

...I've now forgot my original point, haha.

Anyway.... yes... you're right. I think.

I have a really bad memory but if I really understand a concept it's hard for it to leave my mind.

[bananarama]

Originally posted by Lauren
...I've now forgot my original point, haha.

Anyway.... yes... you're right. I think.

I have a really bad memory but if I really understand a concept it's hard for it to leave my mind.

I think i am right but then again I also think I could be wrong....

You can be right some of the time but not wrong all of the time or maybe that is wrong as well...

Eerrrrrrrr What was the question.......


Seriously. We are tested and hope for the best when it comes to memory and if you like concept retention.

Until or if they come up with something better we will have to make do with an imperfect way of judging peoples abilities.

[Jackson25]

credit to everybody, results are great this year

[Benji]

To be honest, i wasn expecting the excellent results that i got, I was expecting mostly C - But i got A*, As and Bs! aswell as C - I personally think Exams arnt a good way to test everyone, but how else would they Test Thousands of pupils?

[gracie24]

GCSE's in my eyes don't prove alot because I think they're pretty easy to pass. You can easily memorise a lot of it and the answers are either right or wrong, bascially.

Like Lauren said, at A Level you have to apply what you've learned to the questions asked during the exam.
A Levels are a lot harder than GCSE.

[Benji]

I think i my fail at a-level, like you said ^ - most of it is all about remembering stuff - you dont have to learn it or know what i means, just remember where it goes

[gracie24]

I'm not knocking GCSE's, it's just they are a lot easier.
They're so so different to A-Level.
You won't fail your A-Levels at all....trust me, especially when you have proved with your GCSE's you can "strive for knowledge".

[Benji]

Oooo thanks

[Bells]

I’d have to agree – I’d say I’m a lot like you in that respect, InTheFade. I think a lot of it depends upon what you expect from yourself – as in, if you’re happy with the amount of work you’ve done and what you consider to be a good grade. In some cases, it is extremely difficult to please certain people, as they are constantly striving to achieve more.

I don’t think exams are the best way of determining a person’s intelligence at all. Especially for GCSEs – if all it requires is sitting down and learning facts, then no wonder some people – and intelligent ones at that – can’t be bothered... and would much prefer using their time doing something else.

For a long time I just kept thinking that I really couldn’t be bothered, and would much prefer to just get on with it in the field of work. Until you realise that if you have aspirations to go to university and then go on to work, A Levels are just essential these days – you cannot rely on anything else alone. I must admit though that my description of GCSEs earlier is far from the one of A Levels, depending on which subjects you take to an extent. But there’s a lot more involved.

I guess with this being my final year at school now I have to take the earlier advice seriously and just get on with it – as pretty much everyone who has achieved good grades from the education system has done.

[CassetteFinger]

I hate GCSE's

[Benji]

I start my A-levels On tuesday - and im actually excited but a little scared -