Bad A-level grades, can bite you in the rear end, 6 years in the future

[spirit]

I don't mean to sound harsh, and I certainly agree that good schooling can increase your performence in exams a little.

Good schools can seriously increase your scores. They spoon feed their candidates and give them everything required to get an A. TBH you have to be really really bad not to get A's give you goto one of the top schools.

However, I agree with you. If you have ability, you can always do well. At the end of the day, you use the same books etc..

 

[Nix]

It certainly sounds like your making out that you'd have done a lot better if it weren't for your schooling.

That's because I feel I would have. But, that is also partly down to the extenuating circumstances that going to a bad school created for me. I don't feel it would've made a massive difference, but it would've made enough of a difference for me to get staight As, whereas I normally get B-C grades.

Since I've been at university, my essays and other assessments have all been 1sts and 2:1s because I have the materials available to to me to be able to get them.

I'd go as far to say it's unlikely that your school was as bad as mine (but lets not start a my school was crapper than yours willy waving contest), and there were lots of people that didn't do well. But of those, their lack of achievement was down to lack of ability, or lack of effort. It was not down to the quality of the lessons.

That honestly does not hold any water with me. The quality of the lessons will affect how the student learns. If they have not got the materials available to them - no money for books, no internet, poor school material, how are they supposed to aquire the knowledge needed to get the good grades? It wont appear like magic.

I don't mean to sound harsh, and I certainly agree that good schooling can increase your performence in exams a little. But in my eyes, if you're genuinely good at your subject, you'll do well (with some work) regardless of your schooling.

See my earlier point. You aquire the knowledge needed, you're not born with it. Some people will aquire the exact knowledge and more to get the good grades because the facilities to do so were available to them.

 

[cottoneye]

I’ve been very fortunate to be kept on by the company which provided a 12 month placement opportunity during my time at Uni. I did really well at GCSE level however I let myself down during college and my A Level results show that. During my first year at college I had to leave study as I was suffering from Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. I came back to finish the A Level course a year later and never really got into it, couldn’t motivated myself as I was worried about relapsing amongst other factors. I must admit it was probably too soon to come back.

I have had a look at a few companies who want straight A’s at A Level and as its been summed up already it seems to be the most convenient method of elimination unfortunately.

Sorry to go on!

 

[spirit]

That honestly does not hold any water with me. The quality of the lessons will affect how the student learns. If they have not got the materials available to them - no money for books, no internet, poor school material, how are they supposed to aquire the knowledge needed to get the good grades? It wont appear like magic.

The library?

 

[Nix]

The library?

And how is a poor school able to fund for the best books?

My 6th form had one A2 book on Geography. It could never be found and it was falling apart. The 6th form is massively in debt and cannot afford new books.

 

[Mundu]

Now I'm pooing my pants. Finally done my AS Levels but only in Art and Photography and am planning to do a Art and Design foundation. I hope no A-Levels won't bite me in the ass.

 

[spirit]

And how is a poor school able to fund for the best books?

My 6th form had one A2 book on Geography. It could never be found and it was falling apart. The 6th form is massively in debt and cannot afford new books.

the public library?

i was able to get loads of stuff from local librarys (but they didn't have much higher level stuff beyond A2 for stuff like econ) and used some of the unis resources too (i live in london which made it easier)

at the end of the day, life isn't fair.

 

[Mulder]

Good schools can seriously increase your scores. They spoon feed their candidates and give them everything required to get an A. TBH you have to be really really bad not to get A's give you goto one of the top schools.

Agreed. I've met some people who went to private school and were "spoon fed" what they needed to get an A. They couldn't hold a simple debate about economic theory because all they managed to do was quote textbooks. That's what wrong with GCSE's and A-Levels, you don't need to understand to get the top marks, you just have to write what the examiners want to read.

 

[spirit]

ironically, theory is all in the textbooks, so they should be able to do well Just not have their own opinions

let me just state, i went to quite a good school, there were lemons but mainly most of the people were very smart.

 

[reflex]

Agreed. I've met some people who went to private school and were "spoon fed" what they needed to get an A. They couldn't hold a simple debate about economic theory because all they managed to do was quote textbooks. That's what wrong with GCSE's and A-Levels, you don't need to understand to get the top marks, you just have to write what the examiners want to read.

Thats exactly what i find, I think more intelligant people tend to have views and opinions on subjects yet people who can litrally memorize a whole paragrath then write it in the exam get A's

 

[w11tho]

That's because I feel I would have. But, that is also partly down to the extenuating circumstances that going to a bad school created for me. I don't feel it would've made a massive difference, but it would've made enough of a difference for me to get staight As, whereas I normally get B-C grades.

Just to clarify - my point is that if you have the ability, then your schooling wouldn't matter. If you're really any good at your subect, you don't need top notch teaching. Obviously better schooling will help, but for the students with talent, it shouldn't make much difference - they'd do well regardless. To say "if I'd gone to a good school I'd have got straight As" is a bit of a joke IMHO. You don't know that - you're just hoping that would have been the case, because you think you have more ability that your results suggest. But hey, don't most people think like that!?!?

Since I've been at university, my essays and other assessments have all been 1sts and 2:1s because I have the materials available to to me to be able to get them.

This is good. It means that on the course which is aimed at people with your grades, you're coping well. It doesn' mean you'd be doing as well if you were on a course aimed at people who were getting top grades.

That honestly does not hold any water with me. The quality of the lessons will affect how the student learns. If they have not got the materials available to them - no money for books, no internet, poor school material, how are they supposed to aquire the knowledge needed to get the good grades? It wont appear like magic.

Well, for a start you seem to have access to the internet. And I assume your school has some books? And you can access past papers from the exam boards. When I did my A-Levels (back in the day!), I just went through whatever books the school had, checked the syllabus to make sure I knew what I was meant to know, and did a few past papers. It's not rocket science, and if you're really a straight A student, I reckon you could have managed just fine.

When I was younger, I played footy every weekend for the local team, and it was great. But the pitch we played on was dire and our training sessions constituted a bunch of lads meeting on a field, throwing down a couple of jumpers and having a kick about for an hour. But do I believe the reason I'm not playing for Man Utd is that I didn't have the right coaching, or the right equipment? No, it's because I lacked the ability.

See my earlier point. You aquire the knowledge needed, you're not born with it. Some people will aquire the exact knowledge and more to get the good grades because the facilities to do so were available to them.

Certainly, you aquire knowledge - but you're born with a certain amount of ability. Those with the ability don't need everything handed out on a plate.

To summarise, these are my points:

• If you have genuine academic talent, you shouldn't need great schooling to do well.
• Doing poorly in pre university education is far more to do with lack of ability and/or effort than lack of proper teaching.
• Going to a good school will not guarantee getting into a good Uni or doing well in A-Levels (but it definitely helps).

 

[Nitefly]

That's because I feel I would have. But, that is also partly down to the extenuating circumstances that going to a bad school created for me. I don't feel it would've made a massive difference, but it would've made enough of a difference for me to get staight As, whereas I normally get B-C grades.

No offence, but boo-to the 'mofo'ing-hoo.

I went to the worst school in my county, which apparently gave an average of 80 UCAS points per student at A2 level last year (Although I'm not sure how that was figured out, I'm sure it should have been more than THAT).

In my AS exams I blaimed my teachers for my poor grades but then turned it around, gave absolute 100% effort and came out flying.

A better school may help, but blaiming your school is just being pure LAZY imo.

To summarise, these are my points:

• If you have genuine academic talent, you shouldn't need great schooling to do well.
• Doing poorly in pre university education is far more to do with lack of ability and/or effort than lack of proper teaching.
• Going to a good school will not guarantee getting into a good Uni or doing well in A-Levels (but it definitely helps).

Spot on.

 

[Ricochet J]

Computing D
Maths D
Physics E

Like i said crap, but i've grown up since then and actually put effort into things these days

Tought luck mate.

This is probably easier said than done. I will not let a piece of paper labelling me on specific grades dictate how my life is going to be like.
As much as I do put in 100% every person is unique. You, being an example. Admitidly you haven't got the best results, however your experience and good Uni score tells a different story of persevearence and dedication, as well resiliance.

Just keep trying and you'll get there

 

[Neoni]

is all C's at a level good? i have no idea? someone could clear that up for me?

 

[Nitefly]

is all C's at a level good? i have no idea? someone could clear that up for me?

Its good, but not great.

I would say just above average IMO.

Edit - The below post says it better

 

[Ricochet J]

is all C's at a level good? i have no idea? someone could clear that up for me?

It's not bad actually. Can get you really far. It's just "D" and "E" are concieved to be bad when in actual fact in A Level they are passes. They have a bad reputation due to popular beleif.
Uni's base thier enterance req's on points now. More higher grades mean better points.

 

[Neoni]

i was looking at a level grades. and diploma grades and i think DDD in a diploma is same as all A's and MMM's - B's etc etc

 

[NathanE]

The most important thing to do when you're a student is to spend a summer or a year with a good company (doesn't have to be massive, infact smaller the better). If you show dedication and willingness to learn they will almost definately employ you again once you finish your studies.

 

[PeterNem]

The most important thing to do when you're a student is to spend a summer or a year with a good company (doesn't have to be massive, infact smaller the better). If you show dedication and willingness to learn they will almost definately employ you again once you finish your studies.

The best peice of advice givne in this thread - getting some work experience is vital and gives a huge advantage over those who have never worked.

As for the opening poster, your situation sounds unfortunate but I wouldn't let it get you down. I'm not convinced whether going to night school etc would be worthwhile, I'd just keep applying to more places. Not everyone will be too bothered about A levels - you'd maybe do better with a smaller company where you'll have more chance at explaining your situation, rather than having to play the system to get into a larger company.

 

[Nix]

No offence, but boo-to the 'mofo'ing-hoo.

Where the hell have I blamed my school? If you actually read the thread instead of being an idiot, you'll see I've said many times I don't feel hard done by and do not blame my school. All I said was that given better circumstances I would've done better, which fits nicely into the natural academic ability argument we were having. It's true, whether you agree or not. Try making sure you know what's actually being said before jumping to conclusions next time.

A better school may help, but blaiming your school is just being pure LAZY imo.
Spot on.

And if you really did read this thread, you'll also see that I'd admitted that, even in the very quote you used. If I'm so lazy then why have I not only got to university but already completed my first year with good grades?

Your attitude only shows to me that you feel hard done by, I know I'm not. As someone's already said, life's unfair - deal with it. We have a difference of an opinion but I resent the fact you think you can talk to me like that. These 'extenuating circumstances' I speak of were brought on by the school and completely out of my control, but I battled to get where I am. Get off your high horse, you cannot judge anyone until you walk a day in their shoes. I'm not going to go into detail about my circumstances because you have no right to know.

You seem to think that motivation is universal, the truth is it's very relative and subject to environment. People who goto a less academic school are going to be, on the whole less motivated than those in the better institutions. Bad schools breed the "I'm not good enough" mentality. I had very little to no motivation while doing my A-levels and it was a stuggle to get where I am, but I got here. My motivation has since climbed and I'm determined to get a good degree. I have the ability to do so, if I doubted that for a second I wouldn't be here.

My argument all along has been that education is circumstancial, being that you will do better with better circumstances and there are a myriad of points that can be made to prove that. If I'm wrong, then why is it that institutions give charity or predicted grades if there is a death in the family? Why is it you can apply for extenuating circumstances to begin with? Education and achievement in my opinion are relative to environment.

Also, if you're going to troll someone in future, don't bother apologising beforehand, it makes you look like a moron and if you're going to disagree with someone, try forming a legible, consise argument instead of going for cheap sarcastic shots.