Results Day

[C0ckney]

yeah freshers week starts on the 21st (or something) of september, can't wait. vunerable first year girls

[Whaleboy]

Damn!!! Two C's and a D (AS). Now I'm p!ssed off. I think its because I messed up my handwriting, because I was doing great in critical thinking, but the examiner probably wasn't used to my handwriting .

I'm going to appeal, but still not bad for a lame college, and me having 52% attendance .

[Immortal Wombat]

Maths - A
Further Maths - A
Biology - A
Chemistry - B (1 frikking % off an A)
General Studies - A
Crit. Thinking (AS) - A

And the 1% that ruined my perfect record, was coincidentally enough the 1% I needed to get into Cambridge. They're ringing me back and I'll find out if I can blag it.

[Whaleboy]

You'll surely be able to blag that 1%

[MikeH]

B levels are called BTHICs.

[Immortal Wombat]

BTECs?

[MikeH]

Oh yes, I made a terrible mistake. Thanks for correcting me.

We always called them Be-Thicks.

[FrustratedPoet]

Aren't they called GNVQ's now anyway? Or are those slightly different?

[MikeH]

I dunno, what are HNDs as well and HNCs? And Scottish Highers?

[Paul Hanson]

GNVQ? You mean Generally Not Very Qualified, surely?

[MikeH]

Gladly Noshing Virgin Quim.

[FrustratedPoet]

:vomit:

[Drogue]

Ok, I thought I's try and answer some of the questions:

A (for advanced) levels are school leavers exams, almost entirely used for University Entrance. Consider them like SATIIs, but taken a year after (year 13), and so a little harder. It's a two year course, that's split into one year of Advanced Subsidiary (AS) levels, and one year A2 levels. Both count equally and make up an A level. An A level is about 5/6 hours per week work, and about 3 hours for extra study. Grades run from E to A, with a U for unclassified.

GCSEs are exams that everyone takes in year 11 (at 16). they are a two year course, and you commonly take between 8 and 13 of them. A full GCSE is about 3 hours per week lessons, with about 1 hour per week extra study. Grades run from F up to A*, with a U for unclasified. Most jobs/6th forms require at least 5 grade A*-Cs. Slightly below US leaving qualifications.

GNVQs are General National Vocational Qualifications, and come in 3 levels, foundation, intermediate and higher. The foundation counts as 5 GCSEs, the intermediate as 2 A Levels, and the higher at diploma level. The grades are pass (Es), merit (Cs) and distinction (As). There are also NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications) which are exactly like GNVQs, but in different subjects. Subjects include things like 'leisure and tourism', business studies and engineering. Foundation is a one year course, intermediate is 2 and higher is 3 IIRC. NVQs are usually taken alongside working, done part time, in such a scheme as a Young Apprenticeship.

HNDs are Higher National Diplomas, and are a little like GNVQs. They differ in being more academic than NVQs, but less academic than A levels, in things like Computer Science. Won't get you into university (usually) but good for going into technical professions. HNCs are Higher National Certificates, and a bit like HNDs. In fact, I'm not sure of the exact difference

BTECs are like HNDs, but usually more technical. they stand for British Training and Education Council qualifications.

And for those that care, I've failed my offer. Apparently AABB is not good enough, even with a doctors note stating I was sick during my exams (my offer was AAA, although they often accept less when the time comes, just not in my case ) Thus I shall not be going to Oxford this year Whereas my friend who got the same grades as me, but with the extras I did, get's in, because she got an AAB offer. Such is life.

I wish all those going the best of luck, and much congratulations to Immortal Wombat who is off to the best College at Cambridge

[Whaleboy]

Why dont we just do an "intelligence map" of each person, basically like an IQ but with more dimensions, i.e. a rating for mathematical skill, tech skill, english, comms, foreign langs, critical thinking, art etc etc etc.

In that sense, its a universal rating. Dont get me wrong, I think qualifications and intelligence quotiants suck and are not representative, but are good as perhaps a rough guide to some suit who needs to put you in a box. If you're going to have qualification-like systems, this is the best way. If you want to specialise, you simply raise your rating in a specific area, or add another dimension if its really specific (like particle physics or something).

EDIT: This would be built up over time, analogous to the current system of wide exams, then specifics, although obviously more continuous and flexible per each student.

[Immortal Wombat]

Yeah. 14 more months and I'm off to Pembroke College Cambridge. whooo!

Good luck with the reapplying thing Drogue


Now if you'll excuse, I'm off to (watch my friends) get drunk.

[FrustratedPoet]

Congrats Wombat!

[Whaleboy]

Seconded!

EDIT: Thirded thankyou Drogue

[Drogue]

Thirded you mean, I got there first

Thanks, let's hope I can show them up by getting a First, when i do go

[FrustratedPoet]

Wombat: What are you planning for your year out? Travelling, working, or both?

[Immortal Wombat]

working til January, then travelling.

[Drogue]

Where you working? I'd better find a job now

[:) Smiley]

OK, I'm from the US of A, what are the advantages and disadvantages of the UK system?

[Whaleboy]

Advantage: Its free
Disadvantage: It sucks

[Maniac]

Drogue, you've explained it partially a few times already, but I still don't really get it, as my school system is entirely different. Do you need to get a perfect score (A) for every course you have to be allowed to university? Or is that only for Oxford?
And with your current high school diploma, can you find a job, or are you sort of forced to go to university to make it worth something? Here when you finish your "general seconday education" (so not technical or vocational secondary education) normally at the age of 17-18, your diploma is rather worthless. So for example when you have studied Economics-Mathematics in secondary, it's highly recommended you continue to university if you want to have any chance on an economics job.

[Immortal Wombat]

Do you need to get a perfect score (A) for every course you have to be allowed to university? Or is that only for Oxford?

Most Cambridge and Oxford courses will give you an offer of three A grades at A-level. Other (lesser. muhaha) universities will offer different grades, AAB, BCC etc. If Oxford really like you, they'll give you an offer of two E grades, which is basically an open invitation.

Currently about 37% of high-school leavers go on to university, the rest finding jobs etc. In fact, increasingly, some university degrees aren't worth the time and money spent on them, where three years of experience in the job is a better investment. But no, good grades at GCSEs or A-level are still valuable if you don't go on to uni.

[C0ckney]

balls, DP.

[C0ckney]

nice one IW

[SpencerH]

Originally posted by Immortal Wombat
14 more months and I'm off to Pembroke College Cambridge.

Why the 14 month wait?

[FrustratedPoet]

Because, like he said, he's taking a year out to earn a little bit of money and then go travelling. It's a common thing for students to do in this country and the Universities are keen to encourage it, probably because they feel it gives their students more Life Experience.

[Peter Triggs]

Congrats, IW.