Make science easier, examiners are told

[wendigo100]

From The Times (so it must be true)

A document prepared by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), which represents awarding bodies across Britain, says that, from next year, exam papers should consist of 70 per cent “low-demand questions”, requiring simpler or multiple-choice answers. These currently make up just 55 per cent of the paper.

The move follows growing concern about the “dumbing down” of science teaching at GCSE and grade inflation of exam results, which critics claim is the result of a government drive to reverse the long-term decline in the number of pupils studying science.

What is the point of more kids doing science if they are learning less?

The mind boggles. We have completely lost sight of what education is for - to educate.

[Bagpuss]

The current exams aren't really easier, BUT the level required for the grades has fallen.
In maths GCSE you can get an A with >55%

Twenty years ago >70% would have been needed and 55% would have yielded a C, it depended on how everyone else did though i.e. it was adjusted to a normal distribution of grades. Now it's 55% every year!

[milanbenes]

Wendigo,

calm down, it's all part of the grand plan

Milan.

[realityhack]

In maths GCSE you can get an A with >55%

I sincerely hope that's a joke. 55%?????????????

How the hell are we supposed to judge the CVs of that generation when they come our way, what with this kind of tripe and a degree-a-penny???

[ElectricChair]

I sincerely hope that's a joke. 55%?????????????

How the hell are we supposed to judge the CVs of that generation when they come our way, what with this kind of tripe and a degree-a-penny???

unless you have 15 GCSE's at A* you are probably a failure

[Muttley08]

It always makes me laugh when I get asked for A-levels / GCSE's when applying for a gig .... I'm in my 30's btw..... sure warning to walk away

[gingerjedi]

I sincerely hope that's a joke. 55%?????????????

How the hell are we supposed to judge the CVs of that generation when they come our way, what with this kind of tripe and a degree-a-penny???

It’s the same in all walks of life, take out the competitive element and everyone's successful, unfortunately you're not allowed to point that out as that would be discrimination.

[Bagpuss]

I sincerely hope that's a joke. 55%?????????????

How the hell are we supposed to judge the CVs of that generation when they come our way, what with this kind of tripe and a degree-a-penny???

I caught a piece on "the one show" (I apologise for watching that sh1t), but they re-sat their exams. It was explained that the exams are comparable to 20-30 years ago, however the pass marks are the same every year now, i.e. no regrading if the paper was too hard or too easy, 55% was an A at GCSE maths, when I did my O levels that would have been a C.

Now I understand why 'they' say exams are not getting easier, they aren't, but it's much easier to do well.

[sasguru]

Another reason is that a lot more of the work is coursework, so you can try it as many times as it takes to get it right and your teacher will tell you exactly what you need to get it right, because she has targets and league tables to achieve.
Very different from the all or nothing end of year exams in my day.

[VectraMan]

I sincerely hope that's a joke. 55%?????????????

How the hell are we supposed to judge the CVs of that generation when they come our way, what with this kind of tripe and a degree-a-penny???

Just reject everybody with GCSEs. Clearly they're too young to have had a good education. O-levels are what to look for.