A and AS level reforms
Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2013 4:35 pm
I'm trying to understand what will be happening with A and AS level reforms and how this will affect my DD (currently Yr8) but am frankly a bit baffled.
I think I might have this bit correct, confirmation anyone?
1. AS levels will no longer count towards the full A level
2. A levels will go back to what they were in my day i.e. linear exams all at the end of two years
3. These changes will start for children entering Yr12 in Sept 2015 for Most subjects then 2016 for Maths and languages, i.e it will affect the current Yr 10 and younger
But
Does this mean a child who would at the moment do, say, 4 AS levels in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics and drop one to complete 3 full A levels would now under the new system:
3. Still take 4 AS levels in the same subjects of Bio, Chem, Maths and Physics, but have these as a separate qualification and then take the 3 scienceA levels
or
4. Not take any AS levels at all, but just take the 3 full A levels in science
or
5. Take some totally unrelated AS levels in Yr12 e.g. English, History, Art and at the same time have lessons for the full science A levels but only take the A level exams at the end of year 13?
Are these changes all definitely going ahead, or might this just be a way to keep a load of civil servants busy for them to ultimately decide it won't go ahead in the end?
I know this is deeply unpopular with Cambridge University but don't really understand the implications for our children. Any thoughts anyone?
I think I might have this bit correct, confirmation anyone?
1. AS levels will no longer count towards the full A level
2. A levels will go back to what they were in my day i.e. linear exams all at the end of two years
3. These changes will start for children entering Yr12 in Sept 2015 for Most subjects then 2016 for Maths and languages, i.e it will affect the current Yr 10 and younger
But
Does this mean a child who would at the moment do, say, 4 AS levels in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics and drop one to complete 3 full A levels would now under the new system:
3. Still take 4 AS levels in the same subjects of Bio, Chem, Maths and Physics, but have these as a separate qualification and then take the 3 scienceA levels
or
4. Not take any AS levels at all, but just take the 3 full A levels in science
or
5. Take some totally unrelated AS levels in Yr12 e.g. English, History, Art and at the same time have lessons for the full science A levels but only take the A level exams at the end of year 13?
Are these changes all definitely going ahead, or might this just be a way to keep a load of civil servants busy for them to ultimately decide it won't go ahead in the end?
I know this is deeply unpopular with Cambridge University but don't really understand the implications for our children. Any thoughts anyone?