Grump about use of statistics...
A-level results came out today with a reported 8% of grades being the new A*.
The Guardian and others are running headlines like "every 1 in 12 gets an A* " or some such.
Now, we all know that 8% and 1 in 12 are the same, but 8% or grades awarded at A* and 1 in 12 pupils receiving an A* are not. It's far more likely that each pupil who gets an A* will get more than one, and may be taking more subjects than other pupils. I'd have to see the breakdown, but it wouldn't surprise me if only 3 or 4% of pupils actually received the new grade.
Only that wouldn't sell the narrative that exams are getting easier now would it?
Ok. Rant over. For now.
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