We were discussing the August 2015 edition. This girl was doing an article on this boy in her class who started a tie dye company. There was this other guy talking about Brent - Eton summer school. I felt like I had contributed nothing so I mentioned that perhaps an article about the change of A levels should be put in and I was then asked to write it.
So here it is:
In an attempt to make A levels more challenging and rigorous, as of September 2015, A levels are set to change. The changes to A levels are to be phased in. From September 2015, changes will be introduced for subjects such as Biology, Chemistry and English. However, Maths and other subjects will be introduced in 2016 or 2017. Exams will be linear - they will be taken at the end of two years. This will make retaking, if not impossible, a lot harder.
However will the decision to make A levels harder and limit retakes benefit students?
First of all, how will UCAS work after the reform? Teachers and UCAS rely on your AS grades to predict A2 grades. Surely not having AS grades will make the process of UCAS more strenuous for both parties? Students will not have any way to indicate their ability except for GCSE grades. However, relying in GCSE's alone can be misleading.
Conversely, reducing the amount of retakes may drive up standards. Some students, possibly under the assumption that they can retake the next year, do not try their hardest. However, only getting one shot will encourage some students to take A levels more seriously.
Wouldn't that be better preparation for University, where one is unable to retake a year?
Also, the new system may be better for selecting candidates for University. If you have retaken a subject 3 times then you will probably be more likely to get an A* in the subject than someone who has only taken the exam once. Imagine a person who retakes twice A levels twice and gets A*A*A on the second attempt. A second person with a similar personal statement and same A levels gets an A*AA first time round. Only one can be picked. Who do you take? The one who managed to get a good grade the first time or the one who got higher? With the reforms to A levels students who get their grades the first time may have a fairer opportunity in the selection process.
However, the burden put on young adults should be considered. Stress creeps into aspects of everyday life and the amount of stress in doing all your exams for two years in one will be a lot. One shot to get it right! One shot to get the grades you need, so that you can get into the University you want to, doing the course you want to and able to pursue the job you want to afterwards.
Whether the reforms for A levels will hinder students or encourage students to reach their potential will be left to time to tell.
However will the decision to make A levels harder and limit retakes benefit students?
First of all, how will UCAS work after the reform? Teachers and UCAS rely on your AS grades to predict A2 grades. Surely not having AS grades will make the process of UCAS more strenuous for both parties? Students will not have any way to indicate their ability except for GCSE grades. However, relying in GCSE's alone can be misleading.
Conversely, reducing the amount of retakes may drive up standards. Some students, possibly under the assumption that they can retake the next year, do not try their hardest. However, only getting one shot will encourage some students to take A levels more seriously.
Wouldn't that be better preparation for University, where one is unable to retake a year?
Also, the new system may be better for selecting candidates for University. If you have retaken a subject 3 times then you will probably be more likely to get an A* in the subject than someone who has only taken the exam once. Imagine a person who retakes twice A levels twice and gets A*A*A on the second attempt. A second person with a similar personal statement and same A levels gets an A*AA first time round. Only one can be picked. Who do you take? The one who managed to get a good grade the first time or the one who got higher? With the reforms to A levels students who get their grades the first time may have a fairer opportunity in the selection process.
However, the burden put on young adults should be considered. Stress creeps into aspects of everyday life and the amount of stress in doing all your exams for two years in one will be a lot. One shot to get it right! One shot to get the grades you need, so that you can get into the University you want to, doing the course you want to and able to pursue the job you want to afterwards.
Whether the reforms for A levels will hinder students or encourage students to reach their potential will be left to time to tell.
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