A level results

Ramrod · 20-08-2004, 11:59

Quote:

A-level results show UK on track to becoming nation of geniuses
19 Aug 2004 by Malcolm Drury
As expected, this year's A-level results for England, Wales and Northern Ireland have once again improved, with the pass rate rising slightly to 96%, the twenty-second successive increase. 22.4% of entrants received an A-grade, up from 21.6% last year. And according to at least one analyst, that puts us on track to becoming nation of geniuses by 2015.

School Standards Minister David Miliband denied that the year-by-year improvement in results is because standards have dropped and exams are getting easier.

"That's simply not true, if anything, the exams are getting harder. For example, in order to stand a chance of getting above a C grade, a student not only has to show up for the exam at the right time and place, but also must get his or her name completely correct on the answer sheet. It used to be that they only had to get it mostly right."

"I welcome these results," he added, "because it puts us on track to meeting the target of a diploma for all that we proposed earlier this year. And the clear, undeniable fact is that as a nation we are becoming cleverer and cleverer."

We asked Peter Snow, media statistical analyst and illustrator, what the trend in A-level results implies. He showed, by means of a series of handbells of gradually increasing pitch, arranged on a ten metre long multicoloured board with lots of flashing lights, that, if the trend continues, by 2015 80% of the UK population, excluding Scotland, will officially be classed as geniuses and the remaining 30% "very clever", with everyone having at least twelve grade A A-levels.

"Or is that genii," he asked.

"And we can't say anything about Scotland from these statistics," he reiterated, "although you may wonder about a nation that considers offal boiled in a sheep's stomach a delicacy."

When our reporter, who received a grade A in A-level maths five years ago, pointed out the error - that 80% and 30% add to 120%, which is more than 100% and therefore statistically highly improbable - Mr Snow said that it was mainly because of the inherent uncertainty in statistical analyses, and also because some of the bells probably needed tuning.

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Stu038 · 20-08-2004, 12:18

I think the higher results in maths may have something to do with allowing additional calculators in the exams this year. My understanding is that they were allowed to take their shoes and socks off

orangebird · 20-08-2004, 12:53

I think it's awful - every year, thousands of students work their socks off to get good grades. Then the same headline comes out every saying the exams are getting easier...I think it's bloody appalling that students efforts to make something of themselves, sweat blood and tears etc have their hardwork belittled in one unfounded, narrow minded statement.

Well done to all those who put their back into and passed. I'm sure you more than deserved the fab results you got.

Kliro · 20-08-2004, 13:01

Arggggh even worse!!! This means universitys look more towards your GCSE results :|:|:|

Ramrod · 20-08-2004, 13:10

Well two out of 3 (so far) ain't bad

basa · 20-08-2004, 13:23

GCSE 'A' Levels ??

Are those what were called GCE 'O' Levels in 1965 (when I sat them) !!

OK I'll get my coat !!

20-08-2004, 13:27

Whats an A level ??

I have seen some sample papers and they are not getting easier I can asure you.....

I am with OB on this one.... Congrats to the students that did well !

nffc · 20-08-2004, 13:33

Why is this in the Humour forum?

Well done to anyone getting results btw.

Ramrod · 20-08-2004, 13:39

4 out of 6.............

Stu038 · 20-08-2004, 13:40

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Originally Posted by nffc

Why is this in the Humour forum?

Perhaps cos unless I'm missing somthing its meant as a wind up

Ramrod · 20-08-2004, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu038

Perhaps cos unless I'm missing somthing its meant as a wind up

Shhhhhhh!

Stu038 · 20-08-2004, 13:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramrod

Shhhhhhh!

sorry mate

Ramrod · 20-08-2004, 13:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu038

sorry mate

Nugget · 20-08-2004, 13:48

Quote:

For example, in order to stand a chance of getting above a C grade, a student not only has to show up for the exam at the right time and place, but also must get his or her name completely correct on the answer sheet. It used to be that they only had to get it mostly right.

Well, now I know where I went wrong!

If only I hadn't keep spelling my name Tugneg, I'd have been laughing

Damien · 20-08-2004, 14:01

cos its a joke, look at scotland for example