Lies, Damn Lies & Statistics, Info Urgently Needed for Dissertation Options

[Paderewski's Pinky]

Hi everyone,

I would be very grateful if any member(s) could supply the following stats:

(I) The number of students taking each of the ABRSM graded I - VIII exams (any of the last ten years);

(II) The pass rate for each of the ABRSM graded I - VIII exams (again, any of the last ten years);

(III) The number (and types) of university courses (and if possible the names of the providers) that include qualifying ABRSM, LCM & Trinity grade classes when calculating applicant's total UCAS scores.

And finally -

Re. the practical (performance) music grades VI - VIII: can an examinee accumulate UCAS points by passing the qualifying examinations in different instruments (say piano and violin) or is the final UCAS score calculated on the basis of the single best performance. To illustrate:

Grade VIII Piano (Distinction) = 75 UCAS Points
Grade VIII Violin (Merit) = 70 UCAS Points

Could the examinee claim a total 145 UCAS points or just 75 (or only the 70 if opting for a violin based course)?

Not too much to ask for a first post eh? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

(all data donors will be rewarded with as much Royal Conservatory Carnegie Hall bumph as they can eat (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ill.gif) )

[owainsutton]

http://www.abrsm.org/press/factfile/practicalstats/

[Paderewski's Pinky]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/thanks.gif)

Can (IMG:style_emoticons/default/anyone.gif) help on the UCAS points issue (he added ungratefully)?

[SaxLad]

To the best of my knowledge its like having 2 seperate qualifications- so both should count- (except for music courses where they don't)

You could also try the UCAS website (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[JudithJ]

I believe that you'll find the UCAS point answered in the leaflet These Music Exams, which can be downloaded from the ABRSM site.

[owainsutton]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/thanks.gif)

Can (IMG:style_emoticons/default/anyone.gif) help on the UCAS points issue (he added ungratefully)?

Higher education institutions are free to accomodate or ignore UCAS points in whichever way they see fit. If you browse various university websites, you'll see how some list typical entry requirements purely in terms of A Level grades (and ABRSM-or-equivalent Grade 8s, for music courses), while others also include UCAS points.

They're also free to make the points offer with a certain portion of the requirement to come from academic courses, essentially making it still very much dependent on A Level performance and limiting the contribution that can come from music exams and the like.

[Paderewski's Pinky]

Many thanks to you all for your thoughts and your links.

For the moment I must assume only one practical score at grades V1 - V111 can be awarded UCAS points.

A disappointment, surely, for all those trying for Oxbridge via the non academic route (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Misti]

To be honest though, I don't think Oxbridge ever offer in terms of UCAS points - and nor do many universities, for one simple reason.

After I finished at college and went to University I had >700 UCAS points. A friend had >1000. Considering that AAA is supposed to be 360 points, this rather makes a mockery of the system.

(NB And Cambridge didn't make me or my friend an offer. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif))

[Paderewski's Pinky]

To be honest though, I don't think Oxbridge ever offer in terms of UCAS points - and nor do many universities, for one simple reason.

After I finished at college and went to University I had >700 UCAS points. A friend had >1000. Considering that AAA is supposed to be 360 points, this rather makes a mockery of the system.

(NB And Cambridge didn't make me or my friend an offer. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif))

Misti, I was being ironic (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Sorry to hear about your misfortune but I strongly suspect that you failed to observe the golden rule.

Just in case you've forgotten - always put down 'Westminster School' on the application form. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)