A* in my book! (Co-ordination Group Publications)

Member Name: Wease

Product:	Co-ordination Group Publications
Date:	10/04/02 (226 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Interesting and easy to read and understand, Occasionally funny, CHEAP

Disadvantages: At times over simplified, Cheesy humour

Since 1995 CGP have been making revision guides for GCSE pupils. At last someone had recognised the need for quality revision material at a budget cost. I had the whole collection by the time my GCSE’s grew near and I don’t doubt it was them that ensured I passed all 10 of my exams. But what sets them aside from the rest?

~ ~Concept~ ~
The main idea of Richard Parsons (founder of the group and editor of practically every publication) was to create a fun to read and understand revision guide to both keep kids entertained and also help them learn. He has definitely achieved this. The books are very easy to understand and they certainly held my attention longer than the real textbooks. Bright colours are used as well as simple diagrams. What I really liked was the brief summary at the bottom of each page reminding you of what you had just read about. Important sections that are very likely to appear in the exam are highlighted and you are reminded you MUST know it. There are also tests at the end of each chapter so that you can gauge how well you’re doing.

GCSE’s are a bit like driving – you’re taught to pass the test.

~ ~Who Are They For?~ ~
Although the majority of the books are aimed at GCSE pupils there are also workbooks for younger children and a textbook (maths) for a-level students.

~ ~Range~ ~
The range for 7-11yr olds and 11-14yr olds caters only for the core subjects: English; Maths; Science; ICT.

A large range of GCSE books are available: Maths; English; ICT; PE; French; German; History; Geography; Spanish; Business Studies. Most of the subjects have two books available: Higher or Lower tier. The book you need will depend on which level of GCSE exam you are taking.

There is also an A-level maths revision book available which I’m sure will be followed by many more subject books over the next few years.

CGP also offer workbooks and practice pa
pers in the subjects covered.

~ ~What’s The Cost?~ ~
Part of Parson’s idea was to make the books accessible to as many children as possible and by minimising the outlay (using cheaper materials and minimising profit) the company has achieved their aim. Believe it or not these excellent books cost a mere £2.50/£3.50! I do believe if you buy in bulk – maybe you could get your/your child’s school teacher to order them for the whole class as once? – you get a further discount of £1.50 per book! What’s even more unbelievable is that the cost cutting as not sacrificed the quality!

Yes indeedy I must point out that although the cheapest materials have been used the quality is very high. The books are printed on strong paper then stapled into a card cover. This combination has proved rather resilient as all of my books are still intact!

~ ~Downfalls~ ~
Sadly as always I do have certain problems with the books and I think it is fundamental to point out that these are just revision aids. They help a great deal with revision but should NOT be the only material revised. In fairness the books do state on the covers “For grades up to A*” (higher tier books only). If one wishes to achieve an A* the extra mile must be taken!

The idea of making the books easy to use has definitely been achieved, however at times I think they have been made too simple in places. Long technical words have in cases been simplified and my feeling is that if the child used the simpler words in an exam they may lose marks.

Richard Parson’s idea of making the book funny also leaves a fair old amount to be desired. The fun comes in the form of silly puns, the sort of cheezy thing my grandad (notorious for his bad jokes) would come out with... and I quote (from the GCSE French book), “French makes my head spin – I feel d’ici...Petit dejeuner? – But I wanted a BIG Breakfast!...Mer
ci? – you’ll get none of that from us!” So when you’ve finished cringing take a moment to bless Parson’s for trying... it may be sickening but it’s certainly better than the dry-ness of some of my A-level books! There are one or two genuinely funny parts I must point out, “CGP asserts its right to be recognised as the perpetrator of 5% of the silliness in this world today.” That’s a quote I found on the back of said French book lol.

One last hiccup is the fact that the book has tried to cater for all of the different GCSE exams in one book (exams will vary depending on which examining board the school is using). At times I grew worried as I read the book as I was thinking, “We never learnt this in class!” I was right we didn’t learn it... because it wasn’t on our syllabus! Hopefully CGP may soon take a leaf out of Lett’s Publications and include a brief introduction stating which chapters are relevant to which board.

~ ~Where Can I Buy Them?~ ~
1. Ask in your school – most teachers tend to have a stock or can help you order on (possibly at a discounted price).
2. Nip into WHSmiths (or other good bookshops) they usually stock a few in their education section.
3. Ring 0870 750 1252 (private orders)... teachers can ring 0870 750 142
4. Fax 0870 750 1292
5. Check out the website below and order their catalogue.

www.cgpbooks.co.uk

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