AIBU to think Bs at GCSE are ok?

[catwalker]

Some issues with DS and GCSEs/6th form. He didn't get the grades he was predicted (As and As) but then I didn't expect him to as he doesn't put much effort into anything apart from his x box. He got mainly Bs, a couple of As, a couple of Cs and a couple of Ds. I was quite happy until I started reading the secondary education forum where people are tearing their hair out because their dc's didn't get straight As and may have blown their oxbridge chances. I get the impression that anything less than an A just isn't worth the paper it's written on. He could have done loads better but Bs are OK aren't they?

Marshy it's common currency amongst uni applicants I'm afraid. Perhaps you haven't had a DC go through the process yet.

cat, 15 GCSE's? You're not serious are you?

GCSE's are easy, lets be straightforward about it.
A sensible amount of work will see anyone pass with A-C grades imo.
It's all facts and no thinking and therefore any performing dog can do it.

The issue often is how well children are prepared for the questions that will arise and the way to answer those questions. The better schools prepare their students very very well for typical GCSE type questions.

I am disappointed with lack of application and the stagnancy of learning and think that everyone should have to sit a completely random Step paper to get to university.

Are Bs good?
Depends on your background.

Pixie you say you're at a Sixth Form College so presumably not yet applied through UCAS.

For competitive courses at competitive universities (not just Oxford and Cambridge) B's can be a problem.

No I haven't, and when i do I won't be using that phrase - unpleasant and not needed IMO.

Sprirted and eloquent response Pixie - good luck to you in your studies.

Marshy that's a stock phrase used by students applying for uni and used very frequently by them on TSR and in RL. You don't need to use it, it's their language not yours. I merely explained the term.

They don't seem to find it offensive. Anyhow, please don't take it up with me, I'm not a censor, go and rail at students instead on TSR.

Yellowstone yes you are right, certainly for comepetitive courses, maybe there is no hope for me! , however if the OP's DS was to excell at A levels, he would certainly be in with a chance. I know people a couple of years older than me who have had to retake their A levels and take an extra third year after getting E's and U's, yet they managed to get into a very good universitity and got into a competitive course - this makes me think that GCSE's dont reflect your chances too much, but you are right.

Marshy Thank you! :)

A-C's will get him into most colleges or 6th forms, for A levels, depending on the criteria of the college or 6 form and the courses he wants to do.

Most are 6 GCSE A-C grade, 2 of which usually have to be in English Lit, math.

Dandy yes I agree, it completely depends what course you get into, as I said before. It's so tricky nowadays. :(

Given the fees and the lack of jobs out there, what is the point of even going to university if you have moderate grades at GCSE, especially if you've had to retake?

Agree. When I'm asked to look at CV's to shortlist for interview I do go back to GCSE's, regardless of post GCSE qualifications.

Sorry - I meant if you had to retake failed A levels...unless you've been ill of course.

Good point, Yellowstone

Pixie for those in Y13 this year GCSE's were vital in determining what offers they got and most were very keen to get the offer they wanted first time round in order to avoid the huge hike in fees.

There are a lot of students for whom a gap year is an unaffordable luxury. Anyhow the new policy on resits may scupper the idea that a student can keep on re-taking until he gets what he needs.

It's a harsh world out there Pixie.

I don't wish to rail. Thanks for the explanation. I won't be using it and I will be discouraging my DD from using it, stock phrase or not. That's all.

You are supposed to be packing DandyL! (and I'm supposed to be in bed....)

The CV's I look at aren't for uni entrance cat but the application form we use does insist on dates of all exams being listed.

On the UCAS form the dates of all GCSE's are clear as the GCSE's are listed in chronological and alphabetical order. Re-takes of whole exams therefore show, re-takes of modules don't. But unis and UCAS have a habit of changing the rules all the time!

My understanding is that GCSE's taken in one go have a value of their own, because of the student's ability to manage a lot of different subjects and deadlines at the same time. I think this challenge is thought to be quite a bit greater than the challenge of taking a few early since the overall effect is to reduce challenge over the two year period. But someone may well jump in to say different!

I don't understand, tbh, how any employers / colleges are able to find out who the really bright kids are, when there seem to be so many ways of schools "supporting" pupils through GCSEs

For colleges this obviously means that when they can, they're hiking grade requirements higher and higher - but then those that rely on clearing, etc. will take students who are likely to struggle terribly with the courses, but won't be aware of this until it's too late.

Obviously current 6th formers are encouraged to rush in before fee increases, and schools' "support" (nice euphemism!) often means that students are crammed rather than taught to develop real study skills - and to attend to what's achievable and appropriate for them, rather than beneficial (in the short term) for the institutions that 'educate' them.
Which is part of the reason why this fetishisation of university education can be so unproductive for so many young people.

I think it also ends up with employers in some areas - legal professions for example - becoming even more Oxbridge-orientated than they were a few years ago.

Doesn't say much for policy of 'widening access to education', does it?

Tchootnika - I think it's very depressing that so many very practical careers have become for those who get firsts at Oxbridge only, the "Shall I retrain as a barrister" thread was a very sad example of that. It is possible to be average academically yet still be very successful, but with a lack of support or knowledge of how to make that happen, many young people are not achieving their full potential.

Lizzylou Warwick is consistently in the Top 10 for English normally Top 5.

Latest ranking. It's not about being being a new build or age of the university.

1. UCL

2 Cambridge 3 Oxford 4 Durham 5 St Andrews 5 Warwick

www.guardian.co.uk/education/table/2011/may/17/university-guide-english