40 replies to this topic

[sparky]

Really that isn't a viable excuse for such an organisation, yes they can't return your answers! (I am not really bothered about that!) . I don't see why the SQA can't simply take enough time, and post the Marking Schemes for all the papers in PDF on their website, maybe then their admin time may not be taken up with so many e-mails by angry students wanting to do well in their exams!

[Dave]

actually on the website their is quite a bit if infromation on the exam : the PA report, some other reports from people involved in the process, marking systems for the most recent exams and exam advice so really we are not hard done by. Having to buy past papers is simply a done thing and you know if past papers were only available on the website what about all the people who do not have internet access because there are people who can afford to buy past papers and want to have them but don't have access to a computer with internet access. You can't use school computers because chances are they are locked down

[sparky]

I wasn;t wanting the papers on the website, just asking them to be a little more open with the marking schemes!

What you mean "locked down?"

[Allan]

even if they charged you for the answers I wouldn't mind, a fiver or something for some solutions!

i don't get the whole secrecy and confidential thing, if they can provide 'Model Answers' for one subject, then it's only fair that they do them for ALL subjects

[Dave]

WELL: if your school uses PC's then chances are the IT people in your council gets all excited and do a bit of showing off and block just about every port and monitor data track and search your queries for naughty keywords.

So, the result is a slow computer that can't connect to forums or chat rooms or doenload and print anything without clearence from the IT people

There is a way around this- buy a Mac they are soo much better in every department head to head against a PC

[Dave]

another thing i heard was that past papers weren't even given to the oublic in subjects where you could run out of questions to give students that haven't been seen before like the objective test part of Biology- at least in the old days things have changes now i think

[Ally]

[sparky]

I agree Ally. The marking instructions Leckie and Leckie have are exactely the same as the full ones, only made much more brief.

And I think you will find that site such as the SQA's will not be blocked by the local authority, more likely such sites like FHM etc.

AND if they were on the net, then schools would just photocopy you them and give them out, I hardly think our computing teacher would be happy at all his toner being used up!

[Dave]

what i am saying is that on school computers you cannot download so how can they be photocopied unless a teacher downloads them from home and then sends them in for photocopying. As for the marking schemes seriously look at a real one and the L&L ones there is a huge difference between the to not just in the 30 -40 page difference. Actuallt they could be misleading to what is expected of you in the real exam

[Allan]

I've seen a 2000 IS SQA Marking Scheme and its identical to the Leckie and Leckie past paper answers, except for the comments directed at the teachers like "allocate one mark per bullet point" or comments like that.

If you look at the Marking Instructions on the SQA website they are what is published in the Leckie and Leckie books just ommiting the marker comments

[Dave]

that's interesting because english and computing, the ones i have seen are different perhaps the larger ones have been overly condensed to a stage where they bare no resemblence to the real deal thing

However we are getting away fromthe main point of having to pay or not pay for the right to have in your possesion the old papers

[sparky]

Deifinately, and I don't know why your school isn't available to download things! Our school has, only obsence websites are blocked. If the school couldn't download then how would the teachers be able to get hold of the PA reports? or download new materials from ltscotland?

Anyone, without getting bogged down in serious argument, the last I am saying on the matter is that if I email the SQA asking them for a marking scheme, I would expect them to be able to give me some sort of real reason for not allowing me to have it.

[Discogirl17]

I agree sparky but you must understand, everything in today's society revloves round commercial gain. The SQA can't change this, neither can the scottish parliament or the government. The only people who can change the major problem of the monopoly the past exam papers company have is the European parliament! Some how I think the monopolies commision has bigger fish to fry in Microsoft! The world is capitalist orrientated and we will just have to live with it since we are unable to change other's views!

The marking schemes are so much condensed that they do not resemble the real thing, they do give people a false view but again its all about money- its more cost effective.

[Dave]

oh yeah and the government have made the SQA self-financing so thats why they have to make money where ever they can

[Discogirl17]

See I didnt know that but it fits in with my arguement well!

[sparky]

lol...isn't this such a great topic, bitching about the SQA! I just wish sometimes they would be a bit more helpful, everything these days is made for money...even books you buy now, you have to buy separate one's for the answers! (GIBSON used to do this I am sure!)

[Discogirl17]

I know, its hilarious yet anooying!!

[burno483]

one thing to say LOL. I got all my past papers from the school and they were that pleased that i wanted them they gave me loads! Great. Thats what you should all do, i recon. DONT WHATEVER YOU DO PAY SOME MICKY MOUSE COMPANY FOR THEM!!!

[AppleCore]

open market = competitors (theoretically)

in england, you have the different exam boards doing different exams and its sometimes up to the school which exam they feel it is most appropriate for the pupil to sit. I've been told by many friends from down south that the exam boards are more "customer" based rather than "SQA" based. Meanin? well, the SQA dont give a tos* if there is a problem in the paper, they just change the re-published paper (usually for the "Past Papers" collection) and the rest is history, no one says a word.. unlike the exam boards down in england where they usually end up sending apologie letters to all schools that sat their exams and keeping the school posted on what is being done to sort the problem.

P.s: one of our maths teachers resigned cos he spoke out against the SQA on a national news paper. (this is what happend after and why he resigned) He felt the SQA were too "agressive" and "harsh" when they started to monitor him at all times every year and kept hounding on him to see him make an error so that they could critisize him.

[dfx]

In other words... they're commercializing our education!?