"Almost a quarter of UK A-level entries were awarded the top grade this year, results published on Thursday show. The proportion of entries given an A was 24.1%, up 1.3 on last year, said the Joint Council for Qualifications. The overall A-level pass rate rose for the 24th year, by 0.4 to 96.6%" (BBC news).
I worked unbelievably hard to gain 3 modest A levels in 1986. I later went on to get a 1st class honors degree which, I would say, suggests that my modest A level results were not due to lack of intelligence or hard work, rather that they were much harder in the 80's than they are today. Also, I was the only person in the college (and indeed the first ever) to gain an 'A' in A level psychology - where were the other 24% I ask?
I disagree with the 'experts' who say that A levels are not getting easier. The pupils themselves are saying that the exams are not getting easier - How would they know? They weren't even alive 24 years ago!
Comments are welcome.
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jaketaylor
Pro - 2006-08-18 @ 19:27:41
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Messyplay
- 2006-08-24 @ 07:41:22
Yeah, you're right. Thanks for the comment
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- 2008-04-25 @ 10:15:02
Yep- they're all getting easier. But they always have been. Our Dad is not a dim man, and he only got six "GCE"s. Then we each got about 8. And he went to a fancy grammar school. Did he work less hard than we did? Is he less clever? And children now get 12 or 13 GCSEs. Are they cleverer than we are? Do they work harder? Twice as hard as our Dad did in the 1950's? I don't think so.
It works well for our kids though, doesn't it?!
Di
of course A level's are getting easier as are GCSE's. The government is tutoring children on how to pass exams NOT how to learn a subject.
better results means the government can claim schools are better.
lies.
good post thanks!