Pupils in the UK and abroad are awaiting their grades in what is a different A-Level and GCSE exam results week this year.
A-Level results were released at 8.30am BST on Tuesday, August 10 with students able to access results from then. GCSE results will be available from around 8am BST on Thursday, August 12.
Why are A-Level and GCSE results days different this year?
The coronavirus pandemic has changed the face of education and posed problems for educators worldwide, with the fairest assessment of pupils proving especially problematic.
In June, the UK government took the decision to cancel exams for the second year in a row in recognition of the hours of lost learning for pupils.
After last year's unsuccessful dalliance with AI to allocate grades, pupils will instead be assessed solely by teachers, a change which also applies to British schools in the UAE.
Despite these differences, one aspect remains the same: the butterflies in the stomachs of pupils across the world as they await their results.
What time are GCSE results out in 2021?
Pupils will be able to access their GCSE results from around 8am on Thursday, August 12.
A-Level results were released on Tuesday for pupils in the UK, UAE and globally and GCSE results will be released on Thursday.
The two-day interval is shorter than the customary week gap to allow pupils longer to appeal their teacher-assessed results.
How are A-Level and GCSE results being calculated in 2021?
Teacher assessments are based on several pieces of marked work and previous exams. Pupils must be made aware of the work and exams being assessed before their grades are finalised.
All work assessed is based on this year's teaching, making allowances for teaching hours curtailed by Covid restrictions.
All grades will be double-checked by other teachers before being signed off by the head teacher.
Exam boards have a modified role this year. Instead of marking exams, they will monitor the process to avert any abuse and judge if the evidence teachers use to grade pupils is fair.
Will A-Levels and GCSE exams return in 2022?
UK Education Secretary Gavin Williamson hopes exams will return in 2022, although he told the House of Commons' education select committee in June that to “immediately switch back to the situation as it was back in 2019" was not possible.
Adjustments lined up for next year include slimming down some of the subject areas to be tested and pushing back the dates of exams to increase lesson time.
One innovation that looks unlikely to get off the ground is leaving certificates. Earlier this year, Britain's qualifications regulator Ofqual revealed its proposal to scrap A-Levels in 2020 and offer “non-qualification” certificates in their place was rejected by the UK government.
How do I apply for clearing for A-Levels?
If students don't get the grades they had hoped for or have failed to meet their conditional offers, they can apply for places through the clearing process instead.
The UCAS clearing system allows students who have missed their grades to find places on university courses which still have vacancies available.
Clearing is open from July 5 to October 19, and students can find places on the UCAS website.
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Name: Salem Alkarbi
Age: 32
Favourite Al Wasl player: Alexandre Oliveira
First started supporting Al Wasl: 7
Biggest rival: Al Nasr
Dubai World Cup Carnival Card:
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tottenham v Ajax, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
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Avengers 3: Infinity War: an American superhero film released in 2018 and based on the Marvel Comics story.
Sholay: a 1975 Indian action-adventure film. It follows the adventures of two criminals hired by police to catch a vagabond. The film was panned on release but is now considered a classic.
Lucifer: is a 2019 Malayalam-language action film. It dives into the gritty world of Kerala’s politics and has become one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
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Director: James Cameron
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Rating: 4.5/5
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
