Some Exams Harder Than Others
InSITE correspondent, Shae Courtney, tells of the varying difficulty in GCSEs and A Levels
It is a common belief within traditionalist circles that some A Levels and GCSEs are a soft option whilst others will push candidates harder and hold more weight on a UCAS form. The latest word, although not fully proving this notion, is that indeed some A Levels and GCSEs are harder than others.
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), has said that history is more difficult than geography at GCSE level and chemistry is more taxing than biology or physics. QCA did say, however, that, “Subjects were broadly in line, and no immediate action was needed to even things out.” Turning to A Levels, the authority had little to say about varying difficulty at Advanced Level saying, “There was little evidence that so-called soft A Levels were less demanding than more established counterparts.”
Another report by QCA found that English literature at A Level was “too tough” with some texts being “inaccessible” to students
In the investigation that QCA carried out, there were stark differences in the way that each subject was assessed. Citing geography and history as the most significantly different, the report said, “Evidence of attainment” was lower in GCSE geography students than in their peers that studied history GCSE. At both GCSE and AS Level, history was found to be more demanding of its students than geography. In the sciences, chemistry was said to be the most demanding out of biology, physics or Dual Award Science. At A Level, candidates were seen to perform worst in biology and falling somewhere in the middle with physics. Reassuringly, however, biology required the same demands as that of A Level sociology and psychology in terms of evaluative and interpretative skills.
Those of you who adore musing literature texts rather than getting stuck in some kind of seemingly nonsense physics formula unfortunately haven’t escaped either. Another report by QCA found that English literature at A Level was “too tough” with some texts being “inaccessible” to students.
The schools minister, Jim Knight said, “I am pleased that it confirms that there is little evidence that A Levels described as soft are any less demanding.” A study by the newly appointed regulator, Ofqual, will ensue as a result of QCA’s findings into the difficulty of GCSEs and A Levels.
Links:
Radical changes to the traditional A-level syllabus will create a new way of teaching history in schools www.guardian.co.uk
A-level questions to become more difficult www.guardian.co.uk
GCSE difficulty 'varies widely' www.bbc.co.uk
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) www.qca.org.uk
You can get a better overview of education in the UK by visiting Direct Gov at www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning
