Networking Group - JCs General

[seaglass]

havok_ex:

Dont think its that Singapore sets the bar too high. Nobody actually gets to 'set the bar'. The bar to enter uni and to get good A-level grades are actually set by students' themselves. If there are more bright students, the bell curve shifts and its harder to get an A. If there are more bright students applying for NUS/NTU then it is naturally harder to get in.

Things are easier in the UK not because the bar is set too low there, but on average, the kids taking A-levels there are just not as smart. Hence its easier to score over there. Furthermore, in Singapore, only the top 25%-30% actually takes the A-levels. So the competition is stronger because you no longer have weaker students to 'cushion' the bell-curve.

But yes, it is much easier to score at UK A-levels than SG A-levels. SATs as well. If money is not an issue, head to the US or UK.

I can't remember liao.. for GCE A levels, to get an A in the subject, is it 70/100, or 70% percentile?

[GiftedGem]

seaglass, here it goes.


##A: 70% and above
##B: 60% to 69%
##C: 55% to 59%
##D: 50% to 54%
##E: 45% to 49% (passing grade)

[seaglass]

GiftedGem:

seaglass, here it goes.


##A: 70% and above
##B: 60% to 69%
##C: 55% to 59%
##D: 50% to 54%
##E: 45% to 49% (passing grade)

Thanks GG!

That's what I thought too... but from what havoc_ex has shared, it sounds more like 70% percentile, so I got confused...

havok_ex:

Dont think its that Singapore sets the bar too high. Nobody actually gets to 'set the bar'. The bar to enter uni and to get good A-level grades are actually set by students' themselves. If there are more bright students, the bell curve shifts and its harder to get an A. If there are more bright students applying for NUS/NTU then it is naturally harder to get in.

[zeemimi]

seaglass:

GiftedGem:

seaglass, here it goes.


##A: 70% and above
##B: 60% to 69%
##C: 55% to 59%
##D: 50% to 54%
##E: 45% to 49% (passing grade)

Thanks GG!

That's what I thought too... but from what havoc_ex has shared, it sounds more like 70% percentile, so I got confused...

havok_ex:

Dont think its that Singapore sets the bar too high. Nobody actually gets to 'set the bar'. The bar to enter uni and to get good A-level grades are actually set by students' themselves. If there are more bright students, the bell curve shifts and its harder to get an A. If there are more bright students applying for NUS/NTU then it is naturally harder to get in.

A level got bell curve thingy?

[Joy of Learning 111]

GiftedGem:

seaglass, here it goes.


##A: 70% and above
##B: 60% to 69%
##C: 55% to 59%
##D: 50% to 54%
##E: 45% to 49% (passing grade)

Note that in British A levels there is an A* grade to distinguish the higher ability students. If I remember correctly, you have to obtain 90% and above.

[Joy of Learning 111]

zeemimi:

A level got bell curve thingy?

British A level assessment moved away from norm-referencing ('bell curve thingy') in the late 1980s. Now it is criteria-referencing, that is, meet the criteria and you get the grade regardless of the performance of the rest of the cohort (at least in theory).

[jtoh]

zeemimi:

seaglass:

[quote=\"GiftedGem\"]seaglass, here it goes.


##A: 70% and above
##B: 60% to 69%
##C: 55% to 59%
##D: 50% to 54%
##E: 45% to 49% (passing grade)

Thanks GG!

That's what I thought too... but from what havoc_ex has shared, it sounds more like 70% percentile, so I got confused...

havok_ex:

Dont think its that Singapore sets the bar too high. Nobody actually gets to 'set the bar'. The bar to enter uni and to get good A-level grades are actually set by students' themselves. If there are more bright students, the bell curve shifts and its harder to get an A. If there are more bright students applying for NUS/NTU then it is naturally harder to get in.

A level got bell curve thingy?[/quote]Yes, got bell curve for local A levels.

[zeemimi]

so local A levels has bell curve. UK A levels no bell curve. TioBo? So their A may be equivalent to our B. Our A is their A*?

[Joy of Learning 111]

zeemimi:

so local A levels has bell curve. UK A levels no bell curve. TioBo? So their A may be equivalent to our B. Our A is their A*?

It's a bit more complicated than that. In order to determine the fixed criteria for criteria-referencing, assessors in the first place look at the bell curve across several years!!

It is an open secret that A levels in the UK have fallen somewhat into disrepute, especially since the changes introduced in 2000. Most commentators would freely concede that Singapore A levels are more rigorous.

Top British universities are aware of this, of course. That is why private schools in the UK are increasingly ditching the A levels for other 18+ exams such as IB. Cambridge University itself introduced its own alternative called the Pre-U Diploma. To apply for coveted courses, the top universities require applicants to sit exams such as BMAT and LNAT. Oxbridge lays great emphasis on interviews.

[pirated]

BMAT is only meant for med/dental & vet courses. There is also UKCAT.


In recognition of the tougher set of A level papers chosen by SEAB, some uk uni do offer a slightly lower grade requirement for SG students for non quota courses. Instead of AAA they may allow AAB