Are GCSEs Too Difficult?
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Do you think GCSEs are too difficult nowadays?
Children in England are expected to have their worst GCSE results in decades, suggesting a trajectory towards a lifetime of diminished earnings.
They complained GCSEs were too difficult when I was doing my exams almost 18 years ago. I'm a secondary school teacher and exams are hard, that is just the nature of it. They are supposed to challenge you to a certain degree. That is why the pupils get study leave, so they can focus on studying for their exams. If GCSEs are too hard, then they will get a shock when they sit their A levels or go onto college and university.
MrsCraig I must admit I have to agree with you on that 1, if they think GCSEs are hard they will get a shock when doing ‘A’ levels cos they’re is a good jump. When I was doing them 40yrs ago it was “O” levels and “A” levels and I remember the shock at 1st. Ive grandson sitting GCSEs this year and I’m hoping he does well as he’s putting lot of hard work in at min. His 1st exam is 10th May
Maybe locking down schools for months on end is more of a valid reason!!?
Maybe it’s not that GCSEs are too difficult, maybe it’s more likely the lack of teaching that is to blame!??
When I was at secondary school, I did the last year of gces, and cses. Before they combined the two into gcses.. I think, my opinion only, that gcses make it possible for all students to get a good grade, instead of being streamlined. They take into account coursework, which students are able to do at home, in their own environment. Makes it more relaxed, makes up for a good percentage towards their grade. That is, instead of sitting an exam 1 day, if you're having a bad or off day, nervous etc, you have no coursework to rely on to help pull your grade up. You sit the exam, end of. So I think it is easier.
Every year has their issues. I was in the first group of taking G.C.S.Es from O levels and A levels. Well it was a complete shambles really, even the teachers didn’t understand the 3 tier grading system. I did ok, not brilliantly and some subjects I think were not really graded correctly. However I have survived getting through life, exams aren’t everything. Experience can count for a lot or just as much.
No, and if people think they’re hard, just wait till you have to do exams beyond that, or even compare them to the kind of tests they put you through in other countries. I did some of my GCSEs early, and tbh I could’ve done them earlier
Been years since I did any exams. but there is no reason they should be too difficult children should be taught to the level required to prepare for and take these exams. Obviously which has always been the case for one reason or another some will find them harder than others. I was always good with learning facts and figures and storing information for exams , but on the practical side I was not so great , others were vice versa . Personally I think we put to much emphasis on exam grades , Everyone has different skills and is good at something.
Yes. I don't agree with how the uk school system is. We are all expected to learn one way. On paper I'm stupid. I'm not I just can't cope with exams. I failed all mine. I walk in and shut down. I'm better with assessments and being observed
Jerseydrew I'm the same I wasn't even told I was dyslexic till I was in my 30s so I didn't have any help in school
Leannexxx if I was at school now I'd be diagnosed with discalulia. The maths version of dyslexia. Back then I was labeled as thick. Which is wrong. I'm certainly not thick. Can't count or grasp maths but not thick.
Jerseydrew I was treated like I was thick too can't say I'm not but to be fair I didn't have a chance either 
I've learnt more out of school
I don't think the GCSE's are necessarily too difficult, moreover there is a shortage of permanent teaching staff in the UK. Substitute teachers have various teaching methods which can complicate matters even further. If there was any true intention of giving non paying school students a chance of a fair playing field, financial and support benefits need to be increased for teachers in the UK. Good quality teaching from the same person would make it so much easier for students.
EmmaWright762 not helping. I work in primary education. Nuts to secondary. Primary is horrendous. The behaviour is awful. I get physically and verbally abused regularly and so do colleagues. Secondary is worse cos the kids are either your size or bigger.
Jerseydrew that’s awful. No one should be subjected to that in their job. My daughter is nursery school teacher connected to primary school and some of the stories she tells r bad but she’s also told me of some successes and they truly make up for the horrors. Her friend works in a play group and she has just warned her bout some of the kids that will be heading into nursery in September. Daughter says that everyday nursery and primary school setting isn’t right place for some of these kids and they need more support from learning support unit r even special needs school but there’s not enough funding. Hands up to all teachers out there, u do an amazing job in spite of kids behaviour. U go back in day after day whereas if that was happening to anyone else in their job they’d be gone and claiming constructive dismissal. Keep ur head up Jerseydrew and realise u might not make difference to every child but ul make difference to a lot of kids
Everyone is commenting on this but when was the last time anyone on here did the GCSE? Fact is if teachers are saying they are too difficult for these kids today it's saying something
Too difficult? They should try the old O levels and then see how difficult GCSEs are
Been well over 16 years now since I took my GCSEs but I've come to realisation now that they don't really matter in life imo. It's all about who you know now and not what you know
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