The Official ‘O Levels’ Thread

[AbbY]

I need advice whether I used start preparing for environmental management or not for O'levels. I'am thinking about appearing for it in may/june 2014 along with 7 other subjects. Is it easy enough to get an A* in it? Is it true that it is a half-credit subject?

It's not. Besides, credits don't really matter at O Levels.
If you're staying in Pakistan, it's as useful as not giving the subject. If you're going out, well, it adds to the tally of A's!

__

Easy? It's arguably the easiest O Level I can think of!
I gave it unprepared. Not a word. Only 2 papers and last minute chapter summaries (4) and got an A*. You can easily give it in November, let alone June!

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I got two questions on behalf of my friend.

1) Is it true that after the introduction of A* which is above 90%, it's easier nowadays to get A's and B's since CIE has changed the 80% to A & 70% to B OR their marking has become strict?

2) My friend has given the following Cambridge O'levels subjects privately and will do BBA later on: Maths, Eng, Phy, Sociology, Business Studies, Urdu, Pak. Studies & Islamiyat. He thinks that equivalence won't be made cause of the odd subjects that are: Phy, Sociology & Business Studies. Is it true?

1- False!
Again, you're confusing PERCENTILE with PERCENTAGE! The A hasn't changed. The A* is a grade above the A. The A was previously, on a scale of 0 to 100 showed at 90 (I'd like to state here that this 90 could be anything from 70% marks to 93/94% marks depending on the paper, difficultly and students), it is now showed at 80. The RAW marks haven't changed, the scale has. That's what Cambridge says!

2- True.
I don't know about Physics, but Sociology is a sure shot no. Look it up at the IBCC website.

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I can answer the first question. It has become easier to score A's due to academies but the strictness in marking has also increased.

I'm afraid I've to disagree with you.

 

[AsadAbrar]

The Official ‘O Levels’ Thread.

[MENTION=25983]AbbY[/MENTION]
Any details about rechecking O Level exams?

 

[mohammadyahya]

Re: The Official ‘O Levels’ Thread.

[MENTION=25983]AbbY[/MENTION] I also have to give EM this year. Didn't attend a single class at school last year so can I give it in November? I'm also thinking about giving Accounts in November session because our schedule for June session might be too tight as I have to give 6 subjects. If I give two subjects in November, I'll be left with 4 for June Insha Allah. I will be taking tutions for Accounts BTW.

 

[PakGamer12345]

@AbbY: On their website, they wrote: GCE `O' Level is considered equivalent to Secondary School Certificate (SSC) subject to meeting the requirement of Scheme of Studies as under:

​

1. Pakistan Based Examinations: Eight subjects including Compulsory English, Mathematics, Urdu, Islamiyat, Pakistan Studies and three electives.
   To qualify for Science Group it is necessary to pass Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology/Computer Science. Rest will be placed in General/Arts/Humanities Group
   ​

What do you have to say about this? Source: http://view.samurajdata.se/rsc/e6d5bbb1/

 

[shahzadfootball]

The only problem I had in O'levels was the stupid schedule ! CIE really needs to consider how it is creating the time-table or datesheet.They take like $1k dollars from candidates and yet make one shitty time tab;e :/

 

[mohammadyahya]

Re: The Official ‘O Levels’ Thread.

Can someone provide sir Junaid Akhtar's notes for History? A friend needs them as he is appearing for re takes in October. I need all sections.

 

[NighteySenpai]

Can someone provide sir Junaid Akhtar's notes for History? A friend needs them as he is appearing for re takes in October. I need all sections.

Books > Notes. Tell him to start studying now, and study well. Nigel Smith and Bajwa. Notes are meh.

 

[Shary Bhallu TC]

^
I disagree about that. When it comes to retaking papers, notes will work better (faster to go through, will refresh memory better if he studied properly for the first time). For first timers, books are better.

 

[DarthQadir]

Just wondering...any edexcel guys here?
And I took frickin BIO for now! Magar A levels mein computer :/

 

[AsadAbrar]

[MENTION=25983]AbbY[/MENTION] [MENTION=12579]Shary Bhallu TC[/MENTION]

Guys, I got an A and a B in Pak Studies. These are the component grades i.e. A in Geo and B in History. My overall grade is A. Is it worth rechecking considering my geo paper went great and the last c part of incomplete(like 1.5/4 left)?

 

[AbbY]

Not really. The Pakstudies grade is pointless. Doesn't count in the equivalence, doesn't count internationally. Why bother (And waste a shitload of money at that).

Edit: Besides, isn't the deadline over already?

 

[Shary Bhallu TC]

Nops not worth it, because percentage won't be included in equivalence...

 

[AsadAbrar]

Not really. The Pakstudies grade is pointless. Doesn't count in the equivalence, doesn't count internationally. Why bother (And waste a shitload of money at that).

Edit: Besides, isn't the deadline over already?

For admission to a decent college for FSC.

The deadline is 17th.

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Nops not worth it, because percentage won't be included in equivalence...

Okay. Thanks nonetheless [MENTION=25983]AbbY[/MENTION] and [MENTION=12579]Shary Bhallu TC[/MENTION].

 

[FZM7]

People Im stuck in systems flowchart in computer studies
I can fill the blanks understand them but cant make them, what to do ?? :/

 

[PakGamer12345]

[Double post deleted]

 

[PakGamer12345]

Guys, I got Physics ATP paper on 16th Oct 2013 which is the second day of Eid al-Adha.

Will it be postponed or something cause it's a national holiday, right? Aren't colleges/venues closed during Eids?

My examination venue is Grafton College, Islamabad...

AbbY Shary Bhallu TC AsadAbrar

 

[AsadAbrar]

People Im stuck in systems flowchart in computer studies
I can fill the blanks understand them but cant make them, what to do ?? :/

What can't you understand? Your basics of algorithms, psuedocodes and flowchart must be weak.

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Guys, I got Physics ATP paper on 16th Oct 2013 which is the second day of Eid al-Adha.

Will it be postponed or something cause it's a national holiday, right? Aren't colleges/venues closed during Eids?

My examination venue is Grafton College, Islamabad...

AbbY Shary Bhallu TC AsadAbrar

I don't think so. I have friends who have their EM paper on Eid day.

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[MENTION=25983]AbbY[/MENTION] [MENTION=12579]Shary Bhallu TC[/MENTION] [MENTION=32988]Xerolt9[/MENTION] [MENTION=42826]mohammadyahya[/MENTION]
The marking scheme of the May-June 2012 English Language paper says that:

Short answers
While examiners are not asked to count words, candidates have been asked to write 150
words. There is no penalty for long answers but, if a script is OBVIOUSLY short, please
count the words, mark as normal (i.e. arrive at mark under OW and UE, then add together
and halve) and award marks to the following maxima:
20 – 35 = 1 mark max for style
36 – 50 = 2 marks max for style
51 – 65 = 3 marks max for style

0 – 20 = 0 marks for style. No assessment of OW and UE is necessary

However, in our schools we are clearly told to strictly adhere to the limit of 160 words. What does this mean then?

 

[AbbY]

However, in our schools we are clearly told to strictly adhere to the limit of 160 words. What does this mean then?

That the school's mad?

Actually, I think they're still in the 2008 phase where the Examiners Reports and marking schemes used to take the average of the first 5 lines and find out the number of lines, go 5% beyond it and strike a line through the rest of the work and grade up to their line.

 

[AsadAbrar]

That the school's mad?

Actually, I think they're still in the 2008 phase where the Examiners Reports and marking schemes used to take the average of the first 5 lines and find out the number of lines, go 5% beyond it and strike a line through the rest of the work and grade up to their line.

The thing is the exam paper also says to not write anything more than 160 words but the MS contradicts that. :/

 

[mohammadyahya]

Re: The Official ‘O Levels’ Thread.

The thing is the exam paper also says to not write anything more than 160 words but the MS contradicts that. :/

The question paper says:" your summary should be no longer than 160 words including the ten words given below"

Therefore WE have to write 150 words of our own and 10 words are already given to start with, but even then there won't be any negative marking for a longer summary according to the MS