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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!
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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.
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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.
I joined a labour union.
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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.
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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.
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Which of these people is closest to your childhood role model?
Bill Gates
James Caan of "Dragons' Den"
David Beckham
Richard Branson
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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.
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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.
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Which of the following is closest to describing your current profession?
Genetic researcher
Barrister
Graphic designer
Carpenter
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Did you want to attend university when you were in secondary school?
More than anything!
Yes, of course
I did, but only if my gap year fell through.
No, I wanted to earn money!
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What subject interests you now that did not when you were a pupil?
Art
History
Maths
The law
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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.
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How concerned are you about the academic performance of your children?
I'm not worried at all.
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.
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What do you read for pleasure?
Biographies
Art history
Science fiction
Romance
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How many books did you read in a year, when you were a pupil?
Many. More than I can count.
One a week
One a month
I didn't read for pleasure! I had enough reading to do for my classes!
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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.
The summer holiday
I didn't have one.
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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.
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Is your current profession a coveted one?
Only a select few would covet my job.
In theory, yes
Not at all
My job is coveted by many, who cannot find a way into it.
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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.
Not particularly
Yes, in that there is school and there is the real world.
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In what sort of extracurricular activities did you take part, in secondary school?
I was on the chess team.
I was in the debate club.
I played rugby for my school.
I tinkered in a garage.
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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.
I was not proud of them.
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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.
I became a jogger.
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Would your secondary-school-self recognize you today?
Yes. Full stop.
No, but in a good way.
Probably, but I don't know for sure.
I think so.
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Everyone has their strengths. Which of these subjects did you reject as an A Levels subject?
Art history
Biology
Politics
A language I did not already speak
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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.
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In which of the following subjects did you excel in your A-Levels?
Chemistry
Physics
History
Scripture
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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.
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How stressed were you about your A-Levels?
I've never been more stressed about anything in my life.
I was shaking at night.
I was fairly stressed.
I was not stressed at all.
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What was your dream job as a child?
Mad scientist
Prime Minister
Movie star
Captain of the World Cup team
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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.
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