GCSEs
Created | Updated May 12, 2006
The purpose
Presumably to test the intellect of our nations youth to the full at the ages of 15-16 (except in cases of being held back a year or going up a a year). This however is not the case. GCSEs exist, in reality, to give satan a hobby!
I do not disagree with the principal of testing to decide whether or not Britains younger generations are learning or not. But testing in GCSE conditions is just unnecessary meanness.
The reality
The point of GCSEs, probably, is to give teenagers, who are already worried about spots and boys/girls, something else to worry about. One main problem is that after the completion of the year 11 syllabus (national curriculum) teachers then have to cram 5 years of work into 5 or 6 revision lessons. With the notable exception of my history teacher Mr. Hughes, who tries to cram them into oner less.
Exam conditions
Imagine yourself in a hardbacked chair, a small table sitting (or standing) before you. The room is deadly quiet and about twice the size of a hydrogen bomb crater. No it's not a nightmare, it is in fact a GCSE exam, something much, much worse.
Amount
In total the average student will do about 25 exams spread over a 6 week period. This is purely to allow periods of anxiety and worry between exams, not, as it would seem, cooling off periods.
RESULTS DAY!!!
A day of tears and of laughter, much of the former and little of the latter. This is placed deliberately about 2 months after the final exam. Once again this is not a time of care-free, worry-free relaxation time. This is yet another opportunity for the unfortunate teenager to worry themselves half to death. 16 years old may be underage in this country, but trust me after the dissapointment or glee, once again much of the former and little of the latter, of results day, an alcoholic drink will be either necessary or deserved.
Conclusion
If you have already taken your GCSEs years ago then i'm sure you know what they are like. Obviously I cannot vouch for O-levels but I am sure the are the same. This conclusion is meant the younger traveler. BE WARNED!
Presumably to test the intellect of our nations youth to the full at the ages of 15-16 (except in cases of being held back a year or going up a a year). This however is not the case. GCSEs exist, in reality, to give satan a hobby!
I do not disagree with the principal of testing to decide whether or not Britains younger generations are learning or not. But testing in GCSE conditions is just unnecessary meanness.
The reality
The point of GCSEs, probably, is to give teenagers, who are already worried about spots and boys/girls, something else to worry about. One main problem is that after the completion of the year 11 syllabus (national curriculum) teachers then have to cram 5 years of work into 5 or 6 revision lessons. With the notable exception of my history teacher Mr. Hughes, who tries to cram them into oner less.
Exam conditions
Imagine yourself in a hardbacked chair, a small table sitting (or standing) before you. The room is deadly quiet and about twice the size of a hydrogen bomb crater. No it's not a nightmare, it is in fact a GCSE exam, something much, much worse.
Amount
In total the average student will do about 25 exams spread over a 6 week period. This is purely to allow periods of anxiety and worry between exams, not, as it would seem, cooling off periods.
RESULTS DAY!!!
A day of tears and of laughter, much of the former and little of the latter. This is placed deliberately about 2 months after the final exam. Once again this is not a time of care-free, worry-free relaxation time. This is yet another opportunity for the unfortunate teenager to worry themselves half to death. 16 years old may be underage in this country, but trust me after the dissapointment or glee, once again much of the former and little of the latter, of results day, an alcoholic drink will be either necessary or deserved.
Conclusion
If you have already taken your GCSEs years ago then i'm sure you know what they are like. Obviously I cannot vouch for O-levels but I am sure the are the same. This conclusion is meant the younger traveler. BE WARNED!
