I have just been browsing the internet and came across articles about GCSEs. Why are they all saying they're easy and standards are falling. These people have not taken them or wasted every weekend for the past two years on perpetual coursework despite according to my school i should be revising now but i cant. coursework is not finished. Then these people that like to critise took probably 10 subjects. i am taking 13. So no way is the o level harder by any means. i am right arent i.
2007-03-16 23:33:06 · 8 answers · asked by dlg3579 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Standards & Testing
I full on agree. I'm in year 11 and I'm also taking 13 GCSE's. For those adults that keep saying the GCSE's and A-Levels are getting easier can bloody well sit my exams instead of me and see just how wrong they are. I constantly work flat-out, I have to do my coursework, do all my normal homework and then revise for the exams. GCSE's are not a walk in the park.
2007-03-16 23:40:03 · answer #1 · answered by don't stop the music ♪ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that, on balance some subjects are easier at GCSE and some are actually harder. Things like Maths actually is a lot easier because mental arithmetic has been replaced with calculators (although when I did my GCSE maths in 1996 I forgot my calculator and still got an A grade - I was very pleased!). Other subjects like Geography are taught to a higher standard now - a lot of people basically spent ages colouring in the (former) British Empire on a map in pink and that was all the geography they were taught.
I think basically it's all swings and round abouts, technology will make some subjects easier and some harder and new discoveries and teaching methods will narrow and broaden the subjects accordingly.
Overall I would say both GCSE's and O-levels are about equal.
2007-03-16 23:47:21 · answer #2 · answered by monkeymanelvis 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No you're not right, particularly when you use a construction like "arent i". I took 9 O levels. Some took ten. It would be unthinkable to even contemplate taking 13 and the fact that you can do so suggests that they are easier. I also notice that whereas some students will spend weekend after weekend on coursework, others will manage the same task in an evening.
2007-03-16 23:47:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The problem arises because of the difficulty in distinguishing between a GCSE obtained by you, through dillegent hard work and study, and the GCSE obtained from the laziest slob in school.
I have no doubt that you, by your studies and hard work, have learned much about the subjects you are taking, however, by introducing multiple choice answers in GCSE exams, it is possible that someone might get the same grade GCSE as your - purely by cheating and guesswork.
By altering the examination papers for precisely that purpose, the government has done both you, and other students like you, a great disservice. For what you will have earned on merit will also be awarded to those that have not. And how are employers to distinguish between your GCSE's and the others?
All qualifications should be won on merit by, students like yourself, not granted as a right; as should university places and jobs.
Once you introduce other factors to ensure that those without merit are given preference to those with, then you do not get the best person appointed or selected.
Discriminating in favour of one section of the population is to discriminate against the rest, and that produces resentment that manifests itself as class or racial hatred.
Yes, it is unfair to disparage GCSE's that many of you have worked so hard to obtain. But before you blame the public for their assumptions, isn't it time that you and your peers started complaining loud and hard, about a system that awards your qualifications to those that have not earned them?
2007-03-17 00:07:52 · answer #4 · answered by bicballpoint 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you. I was the first year that sat GCSEs and I failed miserably because I didnt do any coursework.
Had I been born a few weeks earlier I would have sat O levels and I know I would have passed them, actual exams are no problem for me but coursework is soo hard.
Good luck hope you get a load of As!
2007-03-16 23:45:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could it be because they are getting easier and since the introduction of Course work cheats have been known to prosper. Universities have long conplained about the lowering of standards (A levels). We see a dumbing down of intellect on Tv and radio too. Still the bright should find things easier, as there is less real competition. Good luck in achieving your goals.
2007-03-16 23:39:05 · answer #6 · answered by I'm Sparticus 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People always like to think that things were "tougher in their day" It's a constant cycle and as time goes by you may well find yourself falling into that category as well. As you become a Parent the same applies, one day your kids may respond to you as you did to your Parents and Vice Versa.
Just concentrate on doing as well as you can and on leading a life that you and others can be proud of.
2007-03-17 00:19:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think they are harder. You should just concentrate on getting good marks as they are important to your future. Good luck with them
2007-03-16 23:37:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋