NationStates Jolt Archive

So tomorrow is the big day for those who took A - Levels, including myself where we'll get our results and our futures will be decided. For those that do not know what A-Levels are these are exams people take who's grades determine if you'll go to university if you choose to go to university. These qualifications can be used to go into the workplace more qualified against other candidates.

I am really nervous. I keep thinking I didn't do enough work to get the grades I need to get a place at my first choice university or even my insurance choice. The wait has been killing me. Results are around 20 hours away and I can't wait much longer. So how is everyone else feeling?

Our equivalent exams are a whiles away in November. Good luck- what are you planning on studying?

I'm planning on studying Journalism and English Literature.

Meh. I only need AAB, even if I don't get it, my brothers' cricket coach, who also happens to be my Classics teacher, assures me he'll get me in.

I'd be more nervous it was an Oxbridge offer, but since it isn't, I'm sure I'll get in.

glitzi and i will be checking them at my place first thing tomorrow morning. she got in the papers for her GCSE grades last year, so i'm sure she'll do equally as stunningly this time around :) :fluffle:

i got A, C, D for my A-levels (and two AS B grades) four years ago... just scraped into my first choice. i think they looked past the C and the D and decided 98% on the economics A-level was decent enough to study economics at uni. heh. wish i'd chosen different subjects for the other two, in hindsight.

Meh. I only need AAB, even if I don't get it, my brothers' cricket coach, who also happens to be my Classics teacher, assures me he'll get me in.

lovely... once again its not what you know, its who you know...

lovely... once again its not what you know, its who you know...

In the working world it's always who you know.

In the working world it's always who you know.

i am sadly well aware of that. ah the wonders of "meritocracy" in capitalism.

if anything could/should be meritocratic, school grades should be. but i am an idealist after all

lovely... once again its not what you know, its who you know...

D'you know what? I couldn't care less.

Considering I've dealt with depression, my grandfather's terminal cancer and the death of my great gran in the last two years, I deserve a break or two.

I'm planning on studying Journalism and English Literature.

Cool. I'm currently in what is probably my last semester of uni doing a Bachelor of Journalism. I just realised today though, probably not for the first time though, that I only started trying last semester. Now I have a shitty GPA and a horrible feeling of wasted opportunity I will have to live with forever.

D'you know what? I couldn't care less.

Considering I've dealt with depression, my grandfather's terminal cancer and the death of my great gran in the last two years, I deserve a break or two.

i dealt with depression, horrendous family stress, and two friends dying in my A-level years. i went to uni and got more depressed, attempted suicide, and ended up in hospital, having to drop out at the end of the second year. but i still passed the damn year. my girlfriend had to battle depression and bullying, and she's done wonderfully for herself, by herself.

other people have it hard, y'know. but they don't have the privilege of knowing the right people and getting favours.

sorry - i'm just sick of butting up against people in work with family money or who "know the right people" who can walk all over you and your plans, even when you work fucking hard, just because of that money or influence.

i'll stop threadjacking now.

i dealt with depression, horrendous family stress, and two friends dying in my A-level years. i went to uni and got more depressed, attempted suicide, and ended up in hospital, having to drop out at the end of the second year. but i still passed the damn year. my girlfriend had to battle depression and bullying, and she's done wonderfully for herself, by herself.

other people have it hard, y'know. but they don't have the privilege of knowing the right people and getting favours.

sorry - i'm just sick of butting up against people in work with family money or who "know the right people" who can walk all over you and your plans, even when you work fucking hard, just because of that money or influence.

i'll stop threadjacking now.


Do I give a flying fuck about "other people"? For the most part, no. I want any advantage I can have.

A-levels aren't as important as they tell you they are - I initially got a C, an E and a U in mine, but it didn't stop me going on to get a First and then do an MA.

Do I give a flying fuck about "other people"? For the most part, no. I want any advantage I can have.
Then don't cry about how bad you have it, if you don't care about other people, or what other people think. You just look like an whiny ass -- oops, forgot, you don't care what I have to say.

Do I give a flying fuck about "other people"? For the most part, no. I want any advantage I can have.

Man. I feel really sorry for you.

Does anyone know how the A-levels compare to similar US-based exams, like the SAT or ACT? I tried a quick google search, and found nothing.

Does anyone know how the A-levels compare to similar US-based exams, like the SAT or ACT? I tried a quick google search, and found nothing.

Well, it seems like A-levels are about particular subjects rather than a more general test. If that's true they'd be more like AP exams than the SAT or ACT, at least in terms of what's on it, but maybe someone who knows more about what they are can correct me if I'm wrong...

*runs about like headless chicken*

Thankfully I declined all my university offers and decided to reapply for a different subject after I've seen my results. :)

Well, it seems like A-levels are about particular subjects rather than a more general test.

Yep. For example, mine are in Maths, Further Maths, Philosophy, and French; with AS levels in Modern History and Critical Thinking. A few Universities *cough*Cambridge*cough* make applicants take general reasoning tests which would probably be equivalent to US SATS.

Well, it seems like A-levels are about particular subjects rather than a more general test. If that's true they'd be more like AP exams than the SAT or ACT, at least in terms of what's on it, but maybe someone who knows more about what they are can correct me if I'm wrong...

I'm thinking more along the lines of the SAT II Subject tests.

Which I have to take in October so I can apply Early Action at BC. I can't believe I forgot about them. Big mistake. :headbang:

I'm thinking more along the lines of the SAT II Subject tests.

Which I have to take in October so I can apply Early Action at BC. I can't believe I forgot about them. Big mistake. :headbang:

Yeah, probably more like that since AP can get you credits and this seems to be something for admissions.

I don't need to take the subject tests, and my SAT score is already high enough for the university I want to go to that I won't need to take it again.

Does anyone know how the A-levels compare to similar US-based exams, like the SAT or ACT? I tried a quick google search, and found nothing.

I'm thinking more along the lines of the SAT II Subject tests.Yeah, probably more like that since AP can get you credits and this seems to be something for admissions.
A-levels are more akin to APs or IBs than they are to SAT IIs. They do get you credit at American universities; or at least they did at the school I went to.

Good luck to everyone!

The Irish equivilant(the Leaving Certificate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaving_cert)) results came out today. As ever there are high failure rates in maths.

So tomorrow is the big day for those who took A - Levels, including myself where we'll get our results and our futures will be decided. For those that do not know what A-Levels are these are exams people take who's grades determine if you'll go to university if you choose to go to university. These qualifications can be used to go into the workplace more qualified against other candidates.

I am really nervous. I keep thinking I didn't do enough work to get the grades I need to get a place at my first choice university or even my insurance choice. The wait has been killing me. Results are around 20 hours away and I can't wait much longer. So how is everyone else feeling?

Good luck! I hope they go well for you. The waiting it always horrible. :(

Do I give a flying fuck about "other people"? For the most part, no. I want any advantage I can have.

Then don't be surprised if "other people" don't give a "flying fuck'" about you.

D'you know what? I couldn't care less.

Considering I've dealt with depression, my grandfather's terminal cancer and the death of my great gran in the last two years, I deserve a break or two.

No, you don't. Typical right-wing arsehole, 'pulling yourself up by the bootstraps' so long as your mates pull them for you. Gah. Do the work or suffer, like all the other poor buggers. You despicable little shit.

Do I give a flying fuck about "other people"? For the most part, no. I want any advantage I can have.
*Brings out a violin about your worries, then*


Anyway, yeah, kind of need something in the area of AABB or at worst-ish ABBC, so that retaking things and getting an A or three in there can be done so as to make for a decent application.

Oh and wahey, only a week and a day 'til my Spanish GCSE which I did in a year results. Anticipating a B, because my teacher and I didn't get on and she deliberately asked me on stuff like the environment which we did fuck all on, so there goes the oral mark.

gah! stil a week to go for our GCSE marks to come out :( Can't wait to see how royally screwed I am :p

Meh. I only need AAB, even if I don't get it, my brothers' cricket coach, who also happens to be my Classics teacher, assures me he'll get me in.

I'd be more nervous it was an Oxbridge offer, but since it isn't, I'm sure I'll get in.
So, you're prepared to whinge and whine like a good little Daily Mail Reader about anyone who ever received a penny through benefits instead of 'getting a proper job', but when push comes to shove, you're just as prepared to get your arse wiped for you as well. When it comes down to it, you're just a jumped-up, privileged and bloody selfish little snob without any shred of decency whatsoever. I'm glad you don't give a flying fuck about me, think me a moron for reading a tabloid, or think me not of suitable class simply for being 'average'. I don't give a flying fuck about you either, and the other right wing little Victorian arseholes like you.

*Fingers crosses for his own AAB*

AS results for me tommorow, they're gonna be shit. I'm going to retake as many as possible.

AS results for me tommorow, they're gonna be shit. I'm going to retake as many as possible.
Did you do January modulars, and resit any of those?

Did you do January modulars, and resit any of those?

Nah didn't have any subjects which did exams in January.

Firstly, I feel I should congratulate all those involved in TBC-bashing, he certainly deserves it.

Secondly, good luck/well done to all those receiving results, hope they allow you to continue your education as you wanted.

As for me, I got my results last year and got 4 As, so har har :p

Firstly, I feel I should congratulate all those involved in TBC-bashing, he certainly deserves it.

Secondly, good luck/well done to all those receiving results, hope they allow you to continue your education as you wanted.

As for me, I got my results last year and got 4 As, so har har :p

I second this post. (Apart from the 4 A's bit. I was nine marks off three A's. NINE MARKS! OUT OF SIX HUNDRED!)

Nah didn't have any subjects which did exams in January.
Really? All mine (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History and General) did. Hopefully, if you get to resit next January, not having to do so many exams, you should do fine if you don't think you did well this time around. I'd try and find out whether your exams are modular and you did both modules in June, and if that's the case, just resit those modules you didn't do so hot in. I'm fairly confident that everybody at my 6th form did January modules regardless of subject. I'd also advise against over resitting if you have to resit with your A2s in June.

Best of luck to ya, though, and sorry to sound preachy.:D

Terrified. Absolutely bloody terrified.

I'm getting my boss to open my envelope. I'm picking it up at 8.30, and going straight into work. I don't even want to know...

I need a BBB to study at Bristol University, but I'm really unsure as to whether I'll make that...it sucks so much right now. :(

Really? All mine (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History and General) did. Hopefully, if you get to resit next January, not having to do so many exams, you should do fine if you don't think you did well this time around. I'd try and find out whether your exams are modular and you did both modules in June, and if that's the case, just resit those modules you didn't do so hot in. I'm fairly confident that everybody at my 6th form did January modules regardless of subject. I'd also advise against over resitting if you have to resit with your A2s in June.

Best of luck to ya, though, and sorry to sound preachy.:D

Well I think next January i'm taking C3 maths, but thats only one exam. I'm sure I can do resists with that.

Well I think next January i'm taking C3 maths, but thats only one exam. I'm sure I can do resists with that.

C3? As in OCR A2 C3? If it's the first time you're taking it, it'll be in June. Mechanics is January. Nice, easy mechanics. C3 isn't too bad, but the integration sucked.

Well I think next January i'm taking C3 maths, but thats only one exam. I'm sure I can do resists with that.
That's cool. Good luck with that too, although I hope you don't actually need to do them.

C3? As in OCR A2 C3? If it's the first time you're taking it, it'll be in June. Mechanics is January. Nice, easy mechanics. C3 isn't too bad, but the integration sucked.
Never heard anything good about integration from the Maths crowd.

C3? As in OCR A2 C3? If it's the first time you're taking it, it'll be in June. Mechanics is January. Nice, easy mechanics. C3 isn't too bad, but the integration sucked.

Unfortunately I don't take mechanics, I take statistics with core. Although statistics is easier I think.

That's cool. Good luck with that too, although I hope you don't actually need to do them.

Thanks, but I have no hope. :p

Never heard anything good about integration from the Maths crowd.

Sounds about right. And it's justified - but I think 2 of the methods are in the formula booklet.

Be wary of C4 integration though - make sure you cover that thoroughly. You have to completely understand it, even if it is in the formula booklet.

Sounds about right. And it's justified - but I think 2 of the methods are in the formula booklet.

Be wary of C4 integration though - make sure you cover that thoroughly. You have to completely understand it, even if it is in the formula booklet.

How much harder is it compared to C2?

How much harder is it compared to C2?

C3 is harder, make no mistake, but it's not impossible. Differentiation is easy, working with e is easy, integration sucks. You shouldn't find it too bad. Just pay attention when going through the methods.

That said, you'll find a lot of the stuff is in the formula booklet, integration and area's under graphs being there, and a bit of the Trigonometry stuff.

With trig comes proofing - be bloody careful, remember the rules (e.g. sin x/cos x = tan x , that sort of thing. There will be that sort of question on the exam, so it's vital to learn. I made that mistake this year.

IM bricking myself and Hoping for an A for Business an A for History a B/C for Product Design and a D for English Lit if im lucky. Damn I hate English Lit...

IM bricking myself and Hoping for an A for Business an A for History a B/C for Product Design and a D for English Lit if im lucky. Damn I hate English Lit...

Wow...is that four A2s? I was lucky to get three...and I'm expecting A in Maths (my teacher was adamant that I'd get it), a B in Chemistry, and a C (if I'm lucky) in Biology. I'd've done better in Biology, but the class insisted upon GDR rather than Genetics as the optional. Punks.

No, you don't. Typical right-wing arsehole, 'pulling yourself up by the bootstraps' so long as your mates pull them for you. Gah. Do the work or suffer, like all the other poor buggers. You despicable little shit.

I do work, when necessary. It's hardly my fault I don't find the work difficult is it? Or, for that matter, that I passed my eleven plus. Why should I reject advantages handed to me for the sake of Johnny Nobody?

Why should I reject advantages handed to me for the sake of Johnny Nobody?

Why? Because it's cheating. Or, to put it another way, stealing.

C3 is harder, make no mistake, but it's not impossible. Differentiation is easy, working with e is easy, integration sucks. You shouldn't find it too bad. Just pay attention when going through the methods.

That said, you'll find a lot of the stuff is in the formula booklet, integration and area's under graphs being there, and a bit of the Trigonometry stuff.

With trig comes proofing - be bloody careful, remember the rules (e.g. sin x/cos x = tan x , that sort of thing. There will be that sort of question on the exam, so it's vital to learn. I made that mistake this year.

Was sin^2 x +cos^2 x = 1 one of those rules? If I can remember even now hopefully there wont be too much of a problem.

Why? Because it's cheating. Or, to put it another way, stealing.

No its not. Everybody has the oppurtunity to attempt to go to their university of choice of they fail to meet the offer; that I have a better chance due to my school and teachers is no fault o mine. I would be foolish not to accept such an advantage. Or would you have me feel guilty for daring to pass my eleven plus and achieve social advancement by my own merits and the help of others?

In any case, its hardly stealing; the clearing process, not that I'll need it, sees none start with confirmed offers, hence those who lose out have nothing to be "stolen" from them. Or should

Why should I reject advantages handed to me for the sake of Johnny Nobody?

Because you didn't earn them. But that's okay. Like most right wingers, you're just a hypocrite.

To be honest, if someone offered me an easy way in to Uni I would take it. Fuck principles.

Because you didn't earn them. But that's okay. Like most right wingers, you're just a hypocrite.

I earnt my place at Grammar school, I passed my eleven plus. I earnt my GCSE's and A-levels, I sat them. Others have been more fortunate than me at birth and in childhood, others less well starred; others will accept what oppurtunities fate hands them, why shouldn't I? It would be foolish.

To be honest, if someone offered me an easy way in to Uni I would take it. Fuck principles.

Really? So is there any chance of an apology? Right hypocrite I can deal with, personal insults are bad form. Not that I'd stoop to running to a mod of course, I'd simply like an apology.

Really? So is there any chance of an apology? Right hypocrite I can deal with, personal insults are bad form. Not that I'd stoop to running to a mod of course, I'd simply like an apology.

I never attacked you in the first place, I only joined in this thread about 10 mins ago.

I earnt my place at Grammar school, I passed my eleven plus. I earnt my GCSE's and A-levels, I sat them. Others have been more fortunate than me at birth and in childhood, others less well starred; others will accept what oppurtunities fate hands them, why shouldn't I? It would be foolish.

You earn nothing if you don't get the needed grades. Using family connections is not making the grade, and it is theft.

I never attacked you in the first place, I only joined in this thread about 10 mins ago.

You did? I'm sorry then. Best of luck for tomorrow then.:)

Are you waiting for UCAS to actually open Track Progress too?

No its not. Everybody has the oppurtunity to attempt to go to their university of choice of they fail to meet the offer; that I have a better chance due to my school and teachers is no fault o mine. I would be foolish not to accept such an advantage. Or would you have me feel guilty for daring to pass my eleven plus and achieve social advancement by my own merits and the help of others?

In any case, its hardly stealing; the clearing process, not that I'll need it, sees none start with confirmed offers, hence those who lose out have nothing to be "stolen" from them. Or should

Here's how the admissions process works. Let's say 5000 students apply for 2500 spots at a school. Of these applicants, roughly 1/3 are automatically in due to grades and test scores (or family legacies *cough* Bush *cough*). Roughly another 1/3 can automatically be dropped from consideration due to grades and test scores. Of the middle third, there is very, very little to distinguish them. One of the tools used by admissions officers to tell these nearly identical applicants apart is to use "pull". If one of the admissions people knows your aunt's second cousin's roommate, it provides that little extra "oompf" that can make an application stand out. It's how the system works. So long as it is presided over by people, it will be subject to human bias. Don't blame the player, blame the game.

In the end though, 90% of people know somebody somewhere who can get them in, assuming their grades and scores aren't in the toilet. Honestly, (in USA terms) how could you distinguish two students with 1350 SATs (out of the old 1600) and 3.75 GPAs? If you know somebody who can vouch for one of their work ethics, then that applicant is less of a risk.

As to solutions, damned if I know.

Are you waiting for UCAS to actually open Track Progress too?

Whats that?

IM bricking myself and Hoping for an A for Business an A for History a B/C for Product Design and a D for English Lit if im lucky. Damn I hate English Lit...

It's a doddle. Really; in January, I got 120/120 in Romantics and 114/120 in a Persuasion resit. All English Lit requires is a half decent memory for quotes and a creative ability to give any quotation significance whilst addressing the AO's.

You earn nothing if you don't get the needed grades. Using family connections is not making the grade, and it is theft.

I'll get the grades anyway, I would imagine. AAB isn't difficult, and it isnt family connections in any case, he simply happens to be a decent man who is also my brother's cricket coach. He was my Latin master for four years, and in any case, do you know a thing about UCAS?

British universities only accept those candidates they want; hence, they generally want you irrespective of a conditional offer.

Whats that?

Basically, before going to school to collect results, you can check your UCAS to see if your place has been confirmed at either your first or second choice uni.

Basically, before going to school to collect results, you can check your UCAS to see if your place has been confirmed at either your first or second choice uni.

So they accept or deny you before you even get your results?

So they accept or deny you before you even get your results?

The universities are informed of you results a day or so before "results day" itself I understand.

Whoever you are, good luck with your results today!!:fluffle:

Heh. Online results service is this tits; A in history, confirmed place at York.:)

I'd rather it was LMH, but nonetheless, I'm pleased.

I'm in! Giggity Giggity Goo!

http://www.madisonbrooks.net/giggity.jpg

glitziness did rather well for herself, but i'll leave it to her if she wants to say any more than that ;)

A-levels are more akin to APs or IBs than they are to SAT IIs. They do get you credit at American universities; or at least they did at the school I went to.

Good luck to everyone!
a lot of people in my school went off to american universities... A levels were accepted just fine :)

English Literature = C
Geography = C
Government and Politics = C

I got my place at my 1st Choice University, Roehampton, to study Journalism and English Literature!

Congrats to everyone who deserves congratting.

AAAAB. To be honest, thats not too shabby;

English Literature - A
History - A
CC - A
General Studies - A
French - B

I got As in English Language and Modern Hist, and a couple of marks short of As in German and French, can retake my oral exams which I got low Bs in for those and job's a good 'un.

Overall, about what I was expecting, if a bit higher. Spanish GCSE results next week, will probs be about a C in that methinks.

Heh. Online results service is this tits; A in history, confirmed place at York.:)

I'd rather it was LMH, but nonetheless, I'm pleased.
York's nice and they've got a couple of fascists in the union, so you might get a look in.

Congrats to everyone who's already got their results and good luck to everyone who's still got a week to wait (I know you'll do brilliantly :):fluffle:)

Straight As in my four A-levels (Maths, Further Maths, Philosophy and French) and a B in AS Critical Thinking (which I did in one lesson a week and didn't really care about anyway :p). So, celebrating tonight and UCAS application in two weeks time: I'd better get started on my personal statement.

Congrats to everyone who's already got their results and good luck to everyone who's still got a week to wait (I know you'll do brilliantly :):fluffle:)

Straight As in my four A-levels (Maths, Further Maths, Philosophy and French) and a B in AS Critical Thinking (which I did in one lesson a week and didn't really care about anyway :p). So, celebrating tonight and UCAS application in two weeks time: I'd better get started on my personal statement.
ooh that's pretty good... especially the two scary maths ones :eek: :p

AAAAB. To be honest, thats not too shabby;

English Literature - A
History - A
CC - A
General Studies - A
French - B

what's CC? :confused:
and are they all A levels or is it the usual 3 AL and 2 AS's?

More good news. I just passed my driving test!

History: A
English Combined Language/Literature: A
Government and Politics: A
Psychology: B

Which, together with a glance at Track, means I'll be reading PPE at St John's College, Oxford in October.

My relief is colossal.

AABB, with AC for two ASs.

As I predicted, my AS results were shit.

I got a C in history, but that can easlily be brought down to a high A because I got an A in unit two and almost full marks in unit 3, but a U in unit 1 because I read the question completely wrong somehow. Simple resit will fix that.

Same with maths, just need to resit S1 and C2.

B in everything else.

As I predicted, my AS results were shit.

I got a C in history, but that can easlily be brought down to a high A because I got an A in unit two and almost full marks in unit 3, but a U in unit 1 because I read the question completely wrong somehow. Simple resit will fix that.

Same with maths, just need to resit S1 and C2.

B in everything else.

sounds like you did ok... especially with full marks in a history paper. and B's are good :)

i had something similar with my chemistry paper when i did mine... we had two teachers, one for each side of the course (organic and non-organic chemistry). one teacher was great, and i got A's in the non-organic papers. the other was a 90 year old fossil who probably last taught a decent lesson in the 40's. i ended up getting U's and F's in his modules, along with half the rest of the class... if only i could have been bothered to resit them, i might have got a B rather than a D :( ah well

CC from Chris is almost certainly Classical Civilisation, which is usually referred to as 'Classics'. I gather it needs little knowledge of the actual languages (or is it none? I can't remember) as there are separate courses for that (which are hardly taught these days) but instead goes heavy on historical background and the like. In short; Ancient History with a dose of English Literature.

My take on Chris: I'm firmly of the opinion that academia should be a pure meritocracy. (In fact, I usually quote my AS in ICT as a C - the grade I acquired at the first attempt - rather than the B I gained through retakes.) But hey, he got the grades to get in on merit, and I extend my good luck to him along with everyone else entering university in the next two months.

what's CC? :confused:
and are they all A levels or is it the usual 3 AL and 2 AS's?

Classical Civilisation. Basically an oppurnity to bullshit about Homer, Greek statues and vases and do the occassional piece of ancient history.

They're all A2's anyway.