Importance of A-Levels

Nix said:
But you asked if it was worth taking them whilst still at university when they still have other commitments.
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No I didn't, I asked if you could take them while at university, not whether it was worth it or if it would have a detremental effect on your higher education.
 
Rossmac said:
No I didn't, I asked if you could take them while at university, not whether it was worth it or if it would have a detremental effect on your higher education.
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...and my response was 'what is the point?' Taking them whilst an undergraduate will only harm your degree.
 
Agreed, the A-Level requirements are a bit stupid if you've gone on to achieve at University. I suspect they just use it as an easy way to cut right down on the number of applicants they have to process and interview. And to be fair, if they can get a good number of those that are the best (on paper) to interview, why not?

My only other thought is that they are trying to rank degree quality by entrance requirements.

Whatever the companies motives, my sympathy for your situation. You'll find a good job anyway, no worries.
 
I can't believe some people in this thread who have no clue are saying that "you have a degree, so A levels dont matter"


They do matter... and not just law firms, but a LOT of other types of firms (accountancy etc) require 320 UCAS points as well as a 2.1 degree.

I got 320 UCAS points and a 2.2... luckily their are firms that take me, but that's really only thanks to my A levels being 320!

Also, If you redid your A levels they likely wouldn't count. A lot of firms ask specifically for your first A levels, or if you resit them...

there are plenty of firms that recruit people with lower A levels though, just make sure you get a 2.1... that's the most important thing


oh, a lot of firms ask for GCSE grades too... and individual module marks at degree level (wihch makes me look terrible, as I have mostly thirds :)
 
I know when going for my current job I had to do a brief bit of defense with one company over my lousy Maths A-level grade - I countered it by pointing out that a) I did well in my Physics A-level, which was more relevant to the job and b) I still got a good degree which really ought to supercede any blips in A-level results.

They didn't buy it, and hired someone else. I got a similar job with a different company for more money, and now spend a good portion of my working life being sent out to that first company as a consultant as they went for exam results over competence. Our company makes a fortune from them....

*Naming no names to protect the not-so-innocent*
 
By the way, it's not impossible to get a job which asks for higher requirements without the qualifcations, especially if its CV + covering letter based rather than application.

The thing is, a lot of companies online application will ahve some questions where you have to ticket

"do you have a 2.1" "do you have 320 UCAS points"...

to be fair, you could probably redo an A level and get away with it... only the big time firms would check up where you did them.

Also

A levels are a good national indicator as everybody sat the same level of exams. However if you go to some crap Uni, the calibre of the exam is likely a bit worse (same with quality of teaching), and employers look at that.


I just laugh at all the clowns in school that used to say "You only need 5 Cs at gcse to get A levels! thats all they're good for!"



and btw, every job interview i've been to, i've been the only person with a 2.2... everybody else has a 2.1


prob why i keep failing :)
 
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Nix said:
...and my response was 'what is the point?' Taking them whilst an undergraduate will only harm your degree.
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So you are saying that retaking A Levels will always harm your degree outcome? Therefore you should aim for the best degree possible even though your A Level performance will have already hindered your chances of getting a good graduate job?

I see what you are saying in that it may harm your degree outcome, but it might be better in some instances to give a little in terms of your degree, so that you may gain better A Level marks.
 
From this article, an interview with someone from an accounting firm's recruitment department:

http://doctorjob.com/JobHuntingEssentials/view.asp?ID=1585&intSubModuleID=1

With over 8,000 applicants for 500 jobs we have to be very tough at the application screening stage. A levels are often a better guide to a candidate's potential than the grades they achieved in their first two years at university.'
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Also:
For KPMG, academic scores count for less than 50 per cent of what we look for. Work experience, positions of responsibility and career motivation are as, if not more, important and we would never automatically rule out a candidate on the basis of A level scores alone.
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How does a BTEC nation diploma compare to A levels? I got the following (Computing)
3 distinctions
5 merits
8 passes

I needed 4 merits to get into Leeds met and I wasnt too sure id get that. Turned out I could have got into Leeds, Manchester etc with the grades I got.
 
You'd think A levels don't matter, but they do!

I have a First Class Honours degree, a 12 month placement at a company that is recognised as the global leader in its sector, and I still got rejected from some grad schemes because of poor A levels.
 
Bes said:
You'd think A levels don't matter, but they do!

I have a First Class Honours degree, a 12 month placement at a company that is recognised as the global leader in its sector, and I still got rejected from some grad schemes because of poor A levels.
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What was the degree in?
 
geeza said:
How does a BTEC nation diploma compare to A levels? I got the following (Computing)
3 distinctions
5 merits
8 passes

I needed 4 merits to get into Leeds met and I wasnt too sure id get that. Turned out I could have got into Leeds, Manchester etc with the grades I got.
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this is how it works:
BTEC: DDD=A level:AAA
BTEC:MMM=A Level:BBB
BTEC:PPP=A Level:CCC

basically for my BTEC ND in IT Systems support i need to get 3 distinctions which is the equivalent to 3 A's at A Level:)

BTECs are really designed for people who are dead set on what they want to do as a job so its more focused thats why you only do the one subject.

A levels you do multiple subjects which gives you more variety to choose from when looking for jobs but a BTEC would be better if your going for a job that you did a BTEC in. For example say 2 people wanted to apply at IBM as an IT specialist. One person has a BTEC ND in IT and the other say 3-4 A levels in varies subjects. The person with the BTEC will get the job (if the grade is good enough) because his BTEC primarily focusses on IT and nothing else so therefore should have more IT knowledge than an A level student with varies subjects, some which may be pointless.

Hope that cleared stuff up for people :)
 
I don't even get the whole UCAS points thing, what is AAC equivalent to? (As being very high and C being 2 marks off a B)
 
Nullvoid said:
The quality of a grade doesn't affect the points given. So a C that is almost a B is worth no more than a C which is almost a D. You should be able to find their points values here: http://www.ucas.com/candq/tariff/index.html
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So 320, I guess that's nothing to worry about then.

I think it's compleley unfair for employers to do that over a A levels. How would you feel if you worked your absolute arse off at uni and got a First in a really good degree, only to find a lot of firms won't look at you because you cocked up at A level. I know a lot of people who got grades which they didn't deserve, and should have done a lot better.
 
Eh, so i got A level equivalent of AAA? So as long as you get 3 distinctions out of 16 modules you get AAA :eek::D

Got 2:1 at uni in business computing
 
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