Re: A level results
 

One of my best friends in the UK is a photographer. He studied for two years for a BTEC (or something similar) whilst working part time in a studio. He's said many times it's better to study but not 100% needed as he learned more in the studio.

A lot of jobs can be learned by training with someone who already does it well - I've learned more about my work from experienced peers than from books and tapes despite my industry demanding qualifications. That said I am an an autodidact - formal study is still a good thing if only to confirm what you already know.

N.

Re: A level results
 

One of my first teachers told me I would be hard pressed to find a job as a dustman...

Only my maths teacher saw my potential - she told me I talk so much I should be a politician. She even offered to vote for me...

N.

Re: A level results
 

when I did mine everybody did 3 A'Levels plus General Studies
some Oxbridge-bound students managed 4th A'Level

now you see a lot of students doing 5-6 A'Levels. that shows they are easier.

think the same has happened at Uni as well though. When I did my first degree less than 10pct got 2.1's. now the majority of students seem to get them.

Re: A level results
 

Tosh. My 19-year old son got 3 A's at A-Level, and I'm frequently left dumbfounded and confused by his comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of every subject under the sun. He even has what must be an inate ability to compound his omniscience with the experience of those things he has never experienced. In fact his galactic omni-everythingness sometimes makes debate futile.

Strange though. I seem to recall that at his age I knew far more than I do now...

Re: A level results
 

Take it from the teachers at my son's school (a very highly regarded private school in the South-East of England):

I happened to bump into the Head of Classics there a while back, and remarked that I did pretty well in my Latin A-Level in 1974. His (immediate) reply: "Well that's like having a Classics degree these days." Shocked I was, I can tell you.

In my German A-Level essay, I had to write about the differences between UK and German trade unions - in German. My daughter studied German to the same level, and still to this day cannot believe I had to do that.

These days, they are taught to 'reason' and 'opine' and 'discuss', but they definitely know less in factual terms.

Re: A level results
 

I think it's the internet.

People are able to use computers and research topics much quicker than having to use crappy school/public libraries for info/quotes.

Re: A level results
 

So you reckon teenage boys are using the internet for their school studies?:rofl:

Re: A level results
 

Which is a good thing. Being able to 'reason' and 'opine' and 'discuss' are skills which are carried through life. Learning facts that are forgotten the day after the exam is pointless.

I remember when I sat my A levels this debate had already started and people were saying the same then. It's probably true, and I admit that I always used very old (mid 80s) past papers to practice on for this very reason. However, this is a debate that has gone on, to my knowledge, for at least 14 years and it's boring.

In today's world you don't have to know everything... you just need to know where to look.

Re: A level results
 

I just hope the girls are looking at the same. A generation of nypmhs for when I hit my mid life crisis is no bad thing.

Re: A level results
 

All well and good provided you'll look like a really fit 20-year old when you're there. Like me.

Re: A level results
 

As already said, I did 5+General Studies. To be fair though, I did Maths and GS a year early, and crammed Further Maths into a year.

My results would have been massively improved had I taken off to Germany for a month in the summer after Lower 6th. Ho hum.

Re: A level results
 

But what's the point of exams if they are easy (which some undoubtedly are). I don't care about knowing where to look.........

"Do you have any qualifications or experience?"
"No, but I can use Google."
"Fine - the job's yours..............."

No thanks - knowledge and education are a good thing in their own right.

Re: A level results
 

Oh, don't get me wrong - I never said exams should be easy - but they should not be about rote learning either - they should test the ability to think and apply knowledge to unfamiliar situations. How much of the material you have rote learnt in obtaining various qualifications have you actually used later in life?

I would much rather someone saying - 'oh, I know a little bit about that, let me find out more and come back to you with the answer' over 'no, sorry, I don't know how to do that - do you have a template I can fill in'