A'level results day.

[Mich the Tester]

I say, that brings back memories! I recognised that fine fellow immediately; good old Mr Todger-Muckytache giving young Gubby a good lashing in his study!

Halcyon days indeed!

[Moscow Mule]

That's just pandering to government employment figures.

If I were just passing my a-levels now I would have serious thoughts about not going to uni.

All I learned from uni that I still use is how to write a report and explain myself. The rest of it that I occasionally use I could have easily picked up "on-the-job".

I agree with your point about absolute marking.

I did 100% course work for a few of my GCSEs - nobody gave a tulip when they actually mattered for getting a job/uni place - all they saw was the grade.

[SupremeSpod]

I say, that brings back memories! I recognised that fine fellow immediately; good old Mr Todger-Muckytache giving young Gubby a good lashing in his study!

Halcyon days indeed!

The thwack of willow across buttock. It fair takes me back!

[Spacecadet]

Historically weren't grades based on your grade ranking compared to your peers? E.g. 10% got A's, 20% got B's etc? So it didn't matter how hard or easy the exams were, employers/educational establishments could differentiate students with grades and these had some credibility and usefulness.

That was the case yes, however it will actually hide talent. A bright student who happens to be in a year group with an unusually large number of other bright students will find themselves struggling to get the top grade when if they were born a few months earlier/later they could have achieved it.
Similarly if an exam paper is found to be much easier than anticipated a student who had expected to be in the top 10% could suffer when suddenly even 95% isn't enough for an A
By setting the grades to match actual score attained it levels the playing field, however it does introduce the other issue of exam boards having to set exam papers in a consistent manner.

Also with the prevailance of higher education these days, A-levels are becoming merely a stepping stone qualification. I'm not sure that many pupils will be going straight from A-level to work.

[DaveB]

With a c d and an e sounds like education maybe a stretch to fair for him.

Not good academically, so what's the point of sending Timmy off to Uni.

He's probably better off there than trying to get a job right now and sad as it may be a degree of any level still gets you better employment prospects in the long term.

Plus it gets him out of the house so we get the place to ourselves for the first time in 19 years

PS fair/far

[Mich the Tester]

The thwack of willow across buttock. It fair takes me back!

Actually it was f**king painful and I’ve considered looking up some of those bastards in their nursing homes and giving them a damn good kicking, but never mind; a criminal record wouldn’t be good for business.

[Spacecadet]

If I were just passing my a-levels now I would have serious thoughts about not going to uni.

All I learned from uni that I still use is how to write a report and explain myself. The rest of it that I occasionally use I could have easily picked up "on-the-job".

The one flaw in your post is that a lot of jobs stipulate a degree and some even specify the minimum 2.1

[Mich the Tester]

The one flaw in your post is that a lot of jobs stipulate a degree and some even specify the minimum 2.1

<lights fuse>
This might be the real reason why many people became contractors.
<retreats to safe distance>

[DaveB]

All sorted, UCAS confirmed. Unconditional Firm Offer from Cardiff.

[Mich the Tester]

Cardiff.

Is that a long way away?