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New UK Initiative - Make Science Easier

Posted by Zonk on from the all-those-equations-just-get-in-the-way-of-the-science dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Examiners in the UK have been told to make science 'easier'. From next year 70% of the paper must consist of 'low demand' questions in the form of multiple choice or similar answers. Currently this type of question makes up some 55% of the test. When the recent A level results were announced, with even more students in the UK getting A grades than ever before, educators were congratulating themselves on improved teaching. 'Jim Sinclair, the Joint Council for Qualifications director, emphatically denied that the changes would lead to a rise in the number achieving grade C - the top grade in the foundation tier. Future results would depend on how the marks were allocated. Dr Sinclair added that the changes would help to stop children being turned off by science.' Even still, it's hard to see the benefit from future science students passing by guessing."

7 of 423 comments (clear)

  1. New exam: by styryx · · Score: 4, Funny

    Question 1) Schroedinger was famous for his:
    a. Hat?
    b. Cat?
    c. Kat?

    1. Re:New exam: by faloi · · Score: 3, Funny

      That's an unfair question, what with the new easier spelling rules coming down the pipe. Either that or we have to allow for both b and c to be correct.

      --
      "It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education." -Albert Einstein
    2. Re:New exam: by Riktov · · Score: 4, Funny

      The correct answer is either a. or b. Or rather, it's BOTH a. and b., until the test actually gets graded. Before that, it's impossible to know.

  2. Re:Typical slashdot elitism. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    I have to read *3* *books* *a* *week* on average. Not picture books either I assue you. It is a lot of work, but the upshot is improved grammer and spelling skills that are lacking in the technical. You might want to try reading four books a week.
  3. Re:Typical slashdot elitism. by edittard · · Score: 2, Funny

    Six munfs ago I cuddent even spel enjineer - and now I is one!

    --
    At the bottom of the /. main page it says 'Yesterday's News'. Well they got that right.
  4. Prepare for a tragedy by Spy+der+Mann · · Score: 3, Funny

    Guessing around isn't going to be very helpful when they suddenly find themselves in real world problems! hah!

  5. Re:A simple rant. by Hognoxious · · Score: 2, Funny

    Did they teach you about the magic "e" that makes the previous vowel longer? Or subject-verb agreement?

    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."