been achieved. Compared to the historical averages, the P1X passrate had increased by
5.7% (and 3 P1X) to 82.9% while P1Y had increased by 8.5% (and 4 P1Y ) to 80.9%.
67.5
70.0
72.5
75.0
77.5
80.0
82.5
85.0
2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08
Academic Year
Percentage of Population (%)
Physics 1X Physics 1Y
Figure 3. Percentage of the class attaining A-D passes after the resit diet in Physics 1X
and Physics 1Y by academic year.
5.4. Drop-in Tutorials: Attendance and Performance
In 2007-08, optional drop-in one-to-one tutorials were offered for the first time. The
aim of the tutorials was partly to address the historical drop in attainment between
Physics 1X and Physics 1Y but also to help the weaker students in the class. The
tutorials were open to all students in the class, but those falling into at-risk categories
(determined by monitoring academic performance on an on-going basis) were sent a
personal invitation to attend. Even so, only 10% of the whole class attended any
of the drop-in tutorials and these were primarily students in the B-D bands. Even
a personal approach was insufficient to encourage attendance in students who either
previously or subsequently attained E-grade or less.
In terms of academic attainment, those students who did attend exhibited an
average increase of 2.9% between their P1X and P1Y marks whilst the class as a whole
averaged a drop of 1.6% between P1X and P1Y. When questioned, students who ‘opted-
in’ found the tutorials useful. Therefore, in spite of the low attendance, the drop-in
tutorials were deemed to be a success and their provision was expanded in 2008-09.
5.5. Progression to Level 2
At the start of 2007-08, 50% of level 1 students had self-identified an ‘intention to
progress’ to level 2 physics. Based on the passrate, a direct progression rate of 40%,
in keeping with previous years, was expected. In fact, data from the 2008-09 level 2
class showed that the direct progression rate was 47%, a significant improvement on
previous years.