Can We Guess How You Did on Your A-Levels?
By: Zoe Samuel
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
" "
Image: Phil Boorman/Cultura/Getty Images
About This Quiz
The choice of structuring education around A-Levels is a fascinating one. The choice of subject and the performance of the pupil will determine which universities accept the pupil as a student, which will shape their professional options for the rest of their lives. Secondary school is an early time to make choices with such far-reaching consequences. However, if one is to take the measure of another's academic abilities in these subjects, such academic trials are not only necessary but advantageous as they allow the pupil to rely on their greatest strengths, in their choice of subjects.
Your performance on your A-Levels was a product of your interests, discipline and intellectual polish at the time of your testing. With repercussions that echo for the rest of one's life, it is possible to deduce what results one had from a constellation of data points from how one regards one past self as a pupil, to what one does in life as an adult, as these things are dictated to a large extent by the outcome of the tests. Do you think it possible to accurately guess what your results were? And if it is possible to do so, what is the point of actually taking the A-Levels in the first instance, if we can ascertain your results? Put our know-how to the test!
START QUIZ
" "
FatCamera/E+/Getty Images
Preparation is the key. How far in advance of a test did you begin studying?
As far in advance as possible. Months, if possible.
I would usually start a couple of weeks in advance.
I would begin my studies at the last minute, only a day or so before the test.
I didn't bother studying.
" "
pixelfit/E+/Getty Images
At what age were you in your academic prime?
" "
SolStock/E+/Getty Images
What sort of societies did you join after secondary school?
I briefly performed in plays.
I joined a sort of "networking" club.
I was active in the student union.
" "
Robert Daly/OJO Images/Getty Images
You've been given a week in which to finish a paper. What is your plan?
Begin work immediately, planning research that I can begin tomorrow.
Put a date in my calendar in a couple of days, to visit the library and begin work.
Leave it to the final two days and relax in the meantime.
I would leave it to the final night before the paper was due.
" "
FatCamera/E+/Getty Images
Of your friends from secondary school, with whom did you study?
The smartest ones. We had a standing appointment.
I would study with my best friend, twice a week.
I studied alone most of the time because it was difficult to see friends.
I never bothered studying with someone else.
" "
Wiki Commons by ENERGY.GOV
Which of these people is closest to your childhood role model?
James Caan of "Dragons' Den"
" "
Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/DigitalVision/Getty Images
The television can be a helper or it can hamper. Did your parents limit your television time?
I was not permitted to watch any television without my parents.
I was only allowed to watch television on Friday nights and on holidays.
I was allowed to watch 10 hours of television per week.
I was allowed to watch as much television as I liked.
" "
Phil Boorman/Cultura/Getty Images
How strict were your secondary school teachers?
I cannot imagine any way for a teacher to be less compromising.
They were very strict, with me at least.
They weren't especially strict, but they had their moments.
They didn't mind if I spent all day asleep.
" "
Luis Alvarez/DigitalVision/Getty Images
Which of the following is closest to describing your current profession?
" "
SDI Productions/E+/Getty Images
Did you want to attend university when you were in secondary school?
I did, but only if my gap year fell through.
No, I wanted to earn money!
" "
Fuse/Corbis/Getty Images
What subject interests you now that did not when you were a pupil?
" "
Gpointstudio/Cultura/Getty Images
How educated is your partner?
They have multiple advanced degrees.
They have a top-flight education.
They are a university graduate.
They did not continue after secondary school.
" "
Jon Feingersh Photography Inc/DigitalVision/Getty Images
How concerned are you about the academic performance of your children?
I'm interested, but not worried.
I'm very worried that they do well!
I'm only worried that they will develop interests I do not approve of.
" "
lechatnoir/E+/Getty Images
What do you read for pleasure?
" "
Image Source/DigitalVision/Getty Images
How many books did you read in a year, when you were a pupil?
Many. More than I can count.
I didn't read for pleasure! I had enough reading to do for my classes!
" "
Jodie Coston/Photodisc/Getty Images
What was your favourite time of year, as a university student?
The autumn, when I return to classes.
The day I can go home for Christmas.
" "
Peter Muller/Cultura/Getty Images
How did you adjust your academic focus after secondary school?
I bore down on specialties within the subjects I was already interested in.
I learned of new specialties that interested me.
I read from the menu and picked the path that seemed like the least amount of trouble.
I steered myself to practical knowledge.
" "
Morsa Images/DigitalVision/Getty Images
Is your current profession a coveted one?
Only a select few would covet my job.
My job is coveted by many, who cannot find a way into it.
" "
Yuichiro Chino/Moment/Getty Images
Did your education at all change how you see the wider world?
I suppose so but I was so immersed in it, I cannot say how.
Yes, I see everything differently now.
Yes, in that there is school and there is the real world.
" "
Fuse/Corbis/Getty Images
In what sort of extracurricular activities did you take part, in secondary school?
I was in the debate club.
I played rugby for my school.
" "
SolStock/E+/Getty Images
Were you proud of your A-Level results?
Somewhat, but I felt I could do better.
I was very proud of them!
I was modestly proud of them.
" "
Lynne Gilbert/Moment/Getty Images
In what sort of extracurricular activities did you take part, after finishing secondary school?
I didn't have time for them!
I rowed for my university.
I boxed for my university.
" "
Luis Alvarez/DigitalVision/Getty Images
Would your secondary-school-self recognize you today?
Probably, but I don't know for sure.
" "
DigitalVision/DigitalVision/Getty Images
Everyone has their strengths. Which of these subjects did you reject as an A Levels subject?
A language I did not already speak
" "
SDI Productions/E+/Getty Images
How active an interest in your education did your parents take?
My parents were heavily involved with my school. They also hired private tutors to help me study.
My parents required I deliver reports on the world I was doing, and they would often contact my teachers.
My parents were active with the school but did not pursue me about my performance.
My parents talked to me about the value of education, but beyond reading my results, they did little.
" "
DigitalVision/DigitalVision/Getty Images
In which of the following subjects did you excel in your A-Levels?
" "
SDI Productions/E+/Getty Images
What quality did you like best about your favourite secondary school teacher?
They were uncompromising.
They were an excellent communicator.
They saw the best in everyone.
They were very hard of hearing.
" "
Obradovic/E+/Getty Images
How stressed were you about your A-Levels?
I've never been more stressed about anything in my life.
I was not stressed at all.
" "
© Peter Lourenco/Moment/Getty Images
What was your dream job as a child?
Captain of the World Cup team
" "
Hill Street Studios/DigitalVision/Getty Images
Was it important that you matriculate with your friends at the same university?
No. We did not share interests.
I would have liked to, but it was not my main consideration.
It was very important to me.
It was the most important thing to me.
Share on Facebook
Share on Facebook