Introduction to ALIS Grades and to the Expectations of Universities

ALIS Grades YOUR expected grade at AS level based on YOUR average GSCE points score ALIS grades are NOT predictions from your teachers but they are expected grades based on nationally produced data. They act as a guide and should be treated as your minimum target grade

Average GCSE Points Score Each full GCSE grade you achieve is given points (e.g. A*=8, A=7, B=6, C=5…..) Other qualifications (e.g. GCSE short-course, Btecs) are not counted Points are added up and divided by the number of GCSEs you took giving you an “average GCSE points score”

Example: Alisha has 10 GCSE results: SubjectGradeScore MathsA*8 ScienceB6 Additional ScienceA7 EnglishB6 English LiteratureB6 GeographyC5 HistoryA7 Business StudiesB6 FrenchC5 DanceB6 TOTAL SCORE62 AVERAGE6.2

What is expected of Alisha? 7323 students who took AS Chemistry last year had an average GCSE points score similar to Alisha’s of 6.2. They achieved: 220 achieved an A grade (3%) 879 = B grade (12%) 1392 = C grade (19%) 1757 = D grade (24%) 1611 = E grade (22%) 1391 = U grade (19%) Alisha might prefer this information on a graph

Alisha’s information for AS a chart The average student achieves a D The average student with the same GCSE points score as Alisha (or the average Alisha) is expected to achieve a D grade in AS chemistry but Alisha can see that students like her have achieved higher grades…or lower grades. For example Alisha has a 34% chance of achieving higher than a D grade (19% + 12% + 3%) What can she do to achieve higher than the average student like her?

An analysis for all your subjects Students are given an analysis for all their subjects. Students can be expected to achieve different grades in different subjects. e.g. Students like Alisha perform differently in different A levels AS Drama AS Religious Studies AS English AS Chemistry D gradeB grade C grade

What is the expected grade? AS Religious Studies C grade The expected grade (mean average = C ) is not necessarily the most commonly achieved grade (modal average = B) Example: If I drive to school 5 times in a week and on 4 occasions it takes me 5 mins and on one occasion it takes 60 mins then statistically my expected journey time is 16 mins !! ( = 80 mins 80/5= 16 mins)

Your ALIS Sheet for AS Levels

The ALIS grades for A2 maybe a grade higher than the AS ALIS grades Your ALIS Sheet for A2 Levels

Last Year 960 AS level examinations were taken 268 grades lower than ALIS grades (28% below expectation) 325 grades equalled the ALIS grade ( 29% in-line with expectation ) 367 grades higher than ALIS grades (43 % above expectation)

Why do the ALIS grades seem low? Many students across the country do not appreciate the study requirements and commitment needed for A Levels The average GCSE points score may not reveal a particular ability, skill or enthusiasm for a subject e.g. two A Level history students with an average GCSE points score of 6.2 but one may have an A* in GCSE history, the other a C grade. These are NOT predictions. Predictions include current information from teachers What can students do to perform more highly than similar students across the country? e.g. Going to lessons, doing homework and some revision is that ‘performing more highly’ or is that ‘average’ How can you out-perform the average you ??

University Expectations What are your expectations? What are the expectations of universities? What should you be doing now?

Russell Group Universities 24 leading universities committed to the best research and teaching Birmingham Bristol Cambridge Cardiff Durham Edinburgh Exeter Glasgow Imperial - London Belfast Sheffield Southampton UCL – London Warwick York Leading universities or an elitist, old fashioned group? Is the concept of Russell Group Universities relevant for young people today? King’s – London Leeds Liverpool LSE – London Manchester Newcastle Nottingham Oxford Queen Mary’s – London

Unofficial Top 20 Ranked Universities 1.Cambridge 2.Oxford 3.St Andrews 4.Bath 5.Imperial College London 6.Surrey 7.London School of Economics 8.Durham 9.Warwick 10.Lancaster 11.UCL – London 12.Exeter 13.Heriot Watt 14.East Anglia 15.Loughborough 16.York 17.Birmingham 18.Edinburgh 19.Southampton 20.Kent The Complete University Guide 2015– The Guardian Top 20 UK Universities according to World Ranking also include: Bristol Cardiff Glasgow Kings - London Leeds Liverpool Nottingham Sheffield Southampton These are unofficial rankings and are not subject specific.

Universities Are university tables / rankings helpful? All universities offer opportunities for young people. It’s a ‘good’ university if it offers the right course for you

Example of Law Entry Requirements (1) CambridgeA*, A, A (3) UCL A*, A, A (7) Nottingham A*, A, A (21) Warwick A, A, A (33) Sussex A, A, A (27) Leicester A, A, B (32) Liverpool A, B, B (76) Kingston A, B, B (54) Nottingham Trent B, B, C (92) Northampton B, B, C (98) Bedfordshire C, D, D

Example of History Entry Requirements (1) Durham A*, A, A (2) Cambridge A*, A, A (6) Warwick A, A, A (13) Leeds A, A, A (21) Kent A, B, B (18) Newcastle A, A, B (53) Roehampton A, B, B (60) Sunderland B, C, C (90) Derby B, C, C (-) Blackburn College C, D, D

Example of Psychology Entry Requirements (1) CambridgeA*, A, A (2) Oxford A*, A, A (3) Bath A*,A, A (6) St Andrews A, A, A (16) York A, A, A (31) Aston A, A, B (43) Dundee B, B, B (92) De Montfort B, B, B (51) Coventry B, B, C (97) London South Bank B, B, C (108) Bolton B, B, C

Example of Media Entry Requirements (-) York (Interactive Media ) A, A,B (5) Newcastle A, A, B (8) Leicester A, B, B (14) Westminster B, B, B (65) Gloucestershire B, B, B (60) London Metropolitan B, B, C (58) Middlesex University B, C, C (88) London South Bank C, C, C ( 84) Buckinghamshire New C, D, D

Will they make you an offer? They will look at your: Predicted Grades Your predicted grades are based on your AS level grades Your Online Application GCSE grades, Personal Statement School Reference: Attitude to study and ability to learn Your interaction with staff and students Contribution to school Activities inside and outside of school Attendance and punctuality

Advice and Suggestions Look at your Progress Report Current Working Grade v ALIS grade Mock Examinations in January These are vital to assess your progress and could form part of your predicted grade 5 hours of extra study per subject a week? Do you make use of study periods? Are you making the most of this opportunity?

What to look for? Students’ Attitude to Study LEVEL 3 - You look to demonstrate quality in all work and you transform your notes e.g. revision notes, diagrams, cards LEVEL 2 - Make additional notes from other sources and most evenings spending some time looking at some school work LEVEL 1 - You do homework and attend lessons

What to look for? Revision Techniques LEVEL 3 You use mark schemes and examiners’ reports. You seek help when you are unsure either from teacher or from further research LEVEL 2 You add to their revision notes and answer hard past questions. You continually practise LEVEL 1 You read their notes and answer past questions

Key Dates 19 th December 2014 – Progress Checks sent home 12 th - 16 th January Mock Exam Period 12 th February Parents’ Evening 21 st April 2014 – Higher Education Evening