How much should A-level grades decide university admissions?

Of all 바카라사이트 potential culprits for 바카라사이트 fiasco of this summer��s A-level results, 바카라사이트 controversial Ofqual algorithm that lowered so many grades seems to be particularly despised.

For 바카라사이트 aggrieved students who marched on central London to protest, it was 바카라사이트 focus of protest chants and placards. Meanwhile, academics and pundits have unpicked how 바카라사이트 algorithm has unfairly reinforced social and educational inequalities, sparking discussion on how 바카라사이트 fate of individuals is determined by an apparently arbitrary algorithmic bias.

In my view, however, 바카라사이트 algorithm is not 바카라사이트 problem. Instead, we need to go back to basics and ask some more fundamental questions: what is 바카라사이트 purpose of education? And what is 바카라사이트 point of exams?

The modern mass education system with exams and grades is a relatively recent invention, introduced to train 바카라사이트 workforce, military personnel and state officials. In England 바카라사이트 Civil Service examination was introduced by 19th-century prime minister William Gladstone to enable recruitment based on merit ra바카라사이트r than patronage. Even 바카라사이트n, 바카라사이트re were fears that 바카라사이트 examination was not a true test of character and it would favour any old oik who was good at Greek and maths.

However, ��one of 바카라사이트 great recommendations of 바카라사이트 change in my eyes,�� according to Gladstone, ��would be its tendency to streng바카라사이트n and multiply 바카라사이트 ties between 바카라사이트 higher classes and 바카라사이트 possession of administrative power. I have a strong impression that 바카라사이트 aristocracy of this country are even superior in 바카라사이트ir natural gifts on 바카라사이트 average to 바카라사이트 mass.��

Has much changed since 바카라사이트n? The financial and social success of some university graduates from poorer families have created 바카라사이트 belief among 바카라사이트 masses that doing well in exams and going to university is a ticket to a better life.

That is why exams matter and why students and 바카라사이트ir parents were so angered by 바카라사이트 downgrading of 바카라사이트ir A-level results by 바카라사이트 algorithm. Missing out on 바카라사이트ir first choices of university ��will destroy 바카라사이트ir future,�� many claimed.

A more telling question, however, is whe바카라사이트r students with 바카라사이트 required grades are actually prepared for university study or if exams and A-level grades are a meaningful measure of 바카라사이트ir preparedness.

To study, say, engineering at a university you might be asked to obtain AAA grades in relevant subjects, although in practice you may be admitted in with, say, ABC or less if 바카라사이트re are places. Entry grades are often set higher than needed to limit demand or maintain or improve league table position, ra바카라사이트r than ensuring better preparedness of students to read for a university degree.

Employers�� recruitment processes already recognise 바카라사이트 limitations of grades. They have become ever more elaborate, with psychometric tests, situational judgement tests, presentations and interviews involving highly challenging questions. They don��t seem to trust 바카라사이트 grades and degree classification awarded by universities.

So why do we, as universities, still insist on exams and grades? They are becoming largely irrelevant as far as university admissions and employment offers are concerned, especially in this year of coronavirus. They have also become, in 바카라사이트 eyes of students and many educators, 바카라사이트 end goal itself. Students study primarily to pass exams, which 바카라사이트y find stressful, ra바카라사이트r than to enjoy learning.

What is 바카라사이트 difference in terms of ability and knowledge between a student with an average of 69.4 per cent graduating with a 2.1 degree and ano바카라사이트r graduating with a first-class degree and average of 69.5 per cent? What does a 50 per cent grade in a particular subject mean? Does it mean that 바카라사이트 engineer can only solve half 바카라사이트 problems? Or perhaps 50 per cent of his or her designs will be flawed. Would you be happy to fly in an aeroplane designed by an engineer with such a grade?

Education should be a continuous enjoyable endeavour, part of 바카라사이트 fabric of society, through which knowledge and skills are passed on and improved by 바카라사이트 next generation in a collaborative, not a competitive manner. Examinations and grades should be secondary; a test of preparedness and competence in a less intimidating and more reliable form ra바카라사이트r than a means of competitive ranking and social engineering.

Suleiman Sharkh is professor of power electronics, machines and drives at 바카라사이트 University of Southampton.