Views on the HL Maths bonus 25 points

HeaneyBabe

Do you agree or disagree?

I disagree. Although it is a good incentive to try and get more people to do honours maths, I don't really think it's fair for a few reasons.

1. It's pushing most courses' points up, and some people applying to these courses affected will not have the bonus 25 points and could be a disadvantage by receiving lower points?

2. Some people aren't Mathematical. I do agree that to actually have a brain that will understand the difficult maths is a wonderful thing, but some people don't and could be linguistic. In my opinion, HL irish is potentially just as difficult with many struggling in it. Maths is obviously harder, but if they're looking to increase the number of people speaking Irish, surely they should do the same and offer 25 extra points.

However, a huge congratulations to all who passed HL maths and stuck with it through the tears and stress. You worked extremely hard and you should be proud of yourselves.

haro124

It's really inflating points ! Half my class got over 500 ! And I feel sorry for people who only did ordinary because they are now at more of a disadvantage due to these higher points which will lead to higher points for courses

Dapics

I dunno what to make of it.
Good incentive but a bit unfair.

All I can say is hopefully accountancy & Finance in DCU dosen't go up by more than 10 points.

edit: What is the likelyhood it does go up? I need some reassurance

biohaiid

I'm not a fan.
At first I thought it was no big dea. The honors maths people get extra points, good for them.
Then when I realised it affected all those doing ordinary maths I was kinda pissed.
Why add 25 bonus points for maths?
Its one subject where you either get it or you dont, leaving some people at a huge advantage but others at a huge disadvantage.
If there was gonna be bonus points then why not for Irish?
Although personally I am completely against any bonus points.
I know they are trying to convince people to try harder at maths (why I'm not sure since there are few jobs relating to it), but why not just go with the project maths for a few years and see how that worked out, instead of throwing them both at the same people all at once??

HeaneyBabe

I agree, unfair to people doing Ordinary who would do Higher if they were able. People like myself who tried so hard to stay in Higher Level but it got the better of me. I am quite good at languages though, so I feel it's unfair that just the people doing HL maths get the points and not HL irish..

Oh well

randylonghorn

Pro:

1) It encourages people to do Hons Maths who might otherwise have chosen to do OL (despite being well able for HL) and concentrate on getting a good Hons grade in what is seen as an "easier", less time-consuming subject.

Con:

1) Giving bonus points for maths at the same time as introducing a new, unproven course is illogical, imho.

2) Blunt instrument approach. People who are good at Maths, and able for HL, get bonus points regardless of whether their course is any way maths-relevant. So people with HL Maths get an advantage when applying for language courses, nursing courses, horticulture courses, music courses, etc. etc.


I have seen much better ideas to improve the standard of maths and the numbers undertaking it advanced on this forum and elsewhere ... but they would all have cost money. This one had all the best factors from a political viewpoint: it was a quick fix, it cost little or nothing, it made the Minister look like he was doing something.

Dapics

^^^ +1.

Togepi

They should definitely not give bonus points for Irish. I've always loved the language, but it's definitely the least deserving of bonus points... That is all.

HeaneyBabe

Togepi wrote: »

They should definitely not give bonus points for Irish. I've always loved the language, but it's definitely the least deserving of bonus points... That is all.

don't see how it's the least deserving? it's an extremely tricky language

biohaiid

HeaneyBabe wrote: »

don't see how it's the least deserving? it's an extremely tricky language

Not to mention our Native language.
Makes more sense to me anyways.

HeaneyBabe

biohaiid wrote: »

Not to mention our Native language.
Makes more sense to me anyways.

exactly.. i think they should offer bonus points to irish and maths or none at all

Canard

I disagree I think. I got points from it but I didn't need maths for my course, nor will I ever study it again, so it's not like they've earned a new recruit. My main grievance is with the huge pass rate - it's so obvious that they threw marks at everyone, I'm probably no exception to that.

I disagree with either getting maths or not getting it though, I don't have maths brain but managed a C3, and while I didn't "get it" I didn't not get it either - some concepts were easy, some weren't.

However, if it just applied to maths/science courses they'd be useless, so that's another side to it.

Oh and Irish deserves no bonus points...its bad enough that Irish speakers get an easy A and 10% extra, but being blunt it's one of the least useful subjects and is so so unfair on people who aren't linguistic.

randylonghorn

Togepi wrote: »

They should definitely not give bonus points for Irish. I've always loved the language, but it's definitely the least deserving of bonus points... That is all.

HeaneyBabe wrote: »

don't see how it's the least deserving? it's an extremely tricky language

biohaiid wrote: »

Not to mention our Native language.
Makes more sense to me anyways.

HeaneyBabe wrote: »

exactly.. i think they should offer bonus points to irish and maths or none at all

Oh please, let's not get off on this tangent!! >.<

Depends on your point of view, and people will never agree: if cultural factors are the priority, there's a case for bonus points for Irish; if economic factors are paramount, there's not much of a case.

Let's leave it at that, shall we?

Togepi

HeaneyBabe wrote: »

don't see how it's the least deserving? it's an extremely tricky language

Yes but it's not useful for college at all, I mean, what percentage of people go on to use it after the Leaving Cert, apart from Irish teachers and primary teachers? Yes, it's tricky, but they've made the course far easier this year. I don't see any reason for it to have bonus points, if you have any then by all means point them out but honestly I don't see any. I just think it's the least deserving because so few people have a use for it after secondary school, whereas Maths is very useful in many areas.

@randy sorry, I saw a couple of posts suggesting bonus points for Irish so I thought I'd give my opinion. Fair point, I used to be horrified at the idea of Irish being optional because it's our native tongue and all, but now I've completely changed my mind. Yeah, people never agree on it, so I'll leave it at that. :P

HeaneyBabe

Togepi wrote: »

Yes but it's not useful for college at all, I mean, what percentage of people go on to use it after the Leaving Cert, apart from Irish teachers and primary teachers? Yes, it's tricky, but they've made the course far easier this year. I don't see any reason for it to have bonus points, if you have any then by all means point them out but honestly I don't see any. I just think it's the least deserving because so few people have a use for it after secondary school, whereas Maths is very useful in many areas.

true, very true. but that's why irish should get bonus points too, it is because people have this attitude (and the british played a part too) towards irish..

haro124

Was the amount of effort ye put in to get those extra points worth it ? Maths dominated my study and I went from d on fifth year up to a b on the real thing so I'm happy I stuck at it cOs last September I was gonna drop it !

louisecos

Dapics wrote: »

I dunno what to make of it.
Good incentive but a bit unfair.

All I can say is hopefully accountancy & Finance in DCU dosen't go up by more than 10 points.

edit: What is the likelyhood it does go up? I need some reassurance

Hopefully doing this same course in DCU. Points might not jump by too much as there are many people who take it without having honours maths as it isn't a requirement and there is always the 2nd round to hope for, as the course was not full last year!

christopherson

We are living in an era where Science and Technology is paramount. Therefore those who qualify for these courses in college should be of higher intelligence. Higher Level maths students are of higher intelligence. Therefore the intentions of the government is very clear, "we are in a recession, we need to excel in other areas, get the best people to college to make this happen"

lemon_remon

christopherson wrote: »

We are living in an era where Science and Technology is paramount. Therefore those who qualify for these courses in college should be of higher intelligence. Higher Level maths students are of higher intelligence. Therefore the intentions of the government is very clear, "we are in a recession, we need to excel in other areas, get the best people to college to make this happen"

That doesn't really explain the dumbing down of the maths course though.

Rayne Wooney

I do all my subjects through Irish bar English, so I'll get 25 points for every subject.. Yeah I'm good with that

The extra points for maths is just a quick fix until they work something else out, because let's face it if they hadn't introduced it in 5 years there probably wouldn't be anyone left willing to take higher level

Cruel Sun

christopherson wrote: »

Higher Level maths students are of higher intelligence. Therefore the intentions of the government is very clear, "we are in a recession, we need to excel in other areas, get the best people to college to make this happen"

No. That is all wrong.

Canard

The best people get to college anyway. That's kind of why it's done on points and nothing else.

lemon_remon wrote: »

That doesn't really explain the dumbing down of the maths course though.

It's marked easier, but it's nowhere near as dumbed down as people are making it out to be.

MattHelders

It has worked out fantastically well for me but I can see why other people have grievances.

I'm very mathematically minded. Have always been since primary school but I am one of the laziest people you will meet when it comes to studying.

I would have dropped Maths in 5th year had it not been for the bonus points. I ended up getting a B3 which has pretty much guaranteed me my course

So it definately makes people work harder.

I disagree that Irish should get bonus points though. In all fairness, maths is needed in the majority of employments. Irish is not needed at all in pretty much any job.

Many courses also have a Maths requirement while very few have Irish requirements

christopherson

lemon_remon wrote: »

That doesn't really explain the dumbing down of the maths course though.

The old course has tougher material but the way it is asked in the exam does not promote intelligent thinking, but more like rote learning. While the new course has less material but is ask in a way which requires the student to actually understand what is been asked and what he/she should do. Which represents real life problems a lot more.

In other words, the material has been dumbed down but the exam, itself, has not.

lemon_remon

Patchy~ wrote: »

It's marked easier, but it's nowhere near as dumbed down as people are making it out to be.

Perhaps, but it's still pretty dumbed down. Project Maths doesn't help things by trying to take out one of the most useful aspects of learning maths which is the ability to think in abstractions.

christopherson

Cruel Sun wrote: »

No. That is all wrong.

We need the best people in college. It can be a cruel world, Cruel Sun.

randylonghorn

christopherson wrote: »

We are living in an era where Science and Technology is paramount. Therefore those who qualify for these courses in college should be of higher intelligence. Higher Level maths students are of higher intelligence.

No. Those who are good at / find Maths easy tend to score highly in a certain type of intelligence; what Gardner et al would call logical-mathematical intelligence.

It doesn't necessarily imply that they are of higher intelligence overall.

christopherson

Patchy~ wrote: »

The best people get to college anyway. That's kind of why it's done on points and nothing else.


This is not true, the people who decide to work hard at remembering useless information get to college.

BrianBoru00

christopherson wrote: »

We are living in an era where Science and Technology is paramount. Therefore those who qualify for these courses in college should be of higher intelligence. Higher Level maths students are of higher intelligence. Therefore the intentions of the government is very clear, "we are in a recession, we need to excel in other areas, get the best people to college to make this happen"

Pretty typical of the "barstool brigade". Does honours maths.,..ergo...intelligent.

- Have a google for Gardners Intelligences and broaden your mind.


The LC is not perfect but it is fair. It would take a huge overhaul to for example allow different points for each individual course, depending on subjects studied.

The fact is that technology / science is the main driving force of the economy - a long way clear of say agriculture or contruction so it is imperative that we have a consistent supply of top quality gradates.

This IS where the jobs lie and there is a problem at third level where people are making a jump from OL Maths (very similar to JC HL) to Honours level and higher. So we should be encouraging people to persist with the higher level. The 25 marks was available to ANY student if they so wished , plenty were happy to remain at OL.

So again while you argue that its unfair to students who are excellent linguistically and can easily attain an A in English/ French /Irish, I think you 'd then also have to say its unfair on the student who will do all ordinary level subjects but would be exceptional and an A1 student at P.E. if that was on the curriculum .

Canard

christopherson wrote: »

This is not true, the people who decide to work hard at remembering useless information get to college.

Oh right, so everyone here who did well in things like French/English/Irish/Maths/Physics/Chemistry/Biology/Applied Maths, all they did was learn things off, and it's all useless. Great logic there!

christopherson

randylonghorn wrote: »

No. Those who are good at / find Maths easy tend to score highly in a certain type of intelligence;.

This "certain type of intelligence", is the only type of intelligence that really matters.

randylonghorn

christopherson wrote: »

This "certain type of intelligence", is the only type of intelligence that really matters.

Sez you!!

Ah laddie! You're either awful young or trolling for a reaction ... or both!


(@lemon: don't lower your own standards and rise to him, that's what he wants!)

Togepi

christopherson wrote: »

This "certain type of intelligence", is the only type of intelligence that really matters.

Supermensch

There was a good article there on the Economist, talking about inflation in areas outside of money, for example the sizes of cups of coffee in Starbucks. People getting over 600 points reminded me of this.

But anyway, as other people have said, it is unfair that someone should be at a disadvantage in applying for course not related to maths if they had sat the ordinary level paper.

Bbbbolger

My situation is that I repeated this year. In 5th year i began HL Maths and stuck with it until 6th year when I dropped down. I dropped because to achieve a grade which would affect my points I would've had to decrease study in my other points subjects. When I repeated I was left in a situation where now HL Maths was worth 25 points more. I know I had the ability to do it but one year with a new course just wouldn't have been possible for me. I've now missed out on my course by 5/10 points and am left to wonder what might have been.

I think a much fairer way of doing bonus points would be to award them to students who get up to a C3 in HL Maths. After that grade the majority of people would've chosen HL Maths anyway and obviously have a natural ability for the subject. It is right to reward taking on extra work and succeeding but not to reward someone for having a natural talent in a subject. If we're just rewarding natural mathematical talent, why not all the core subjects? Is my A in English or Irish less deserving of a reward than someones C in Maths?

Liveforrugby

christopherson wrote: »

This "certain type of intelligence", is the only type of intelligence that really matters.

As much as everyone disagrees I think we can all secretly agree that the man is speaking the truth. the only problem is that it would be politically incorrect to admit to said statement

randylonghorn

Liveforrugby wrote: »

As much as everyone disagrees I think we can all secretly agree that the man is speaking the truth. the only problem is that it would be politically incorrect to admit to said statement

Um ... I don't!!

And that's not because I was poor at maths, so it's not any kind of sour grapes ... I did HL for LC and indeed took maths in first year in Uni.

Bbbbolger wrote: »

I think a much fairer way of doing bonus points would be to award them to students who get up to a C3 in HL Maths. After that grade the majority of people would've chosen HL Maths anyway and obviously have a natural ability for the subject.

So ... we encourage people to just do the bare minimum to just pass, even if they could do better, because they will be end up getting as many points out of it?

I'm not trying to be a smartass, but I'm sure you can see the problem?

Bbbbolger

I understand what you're saying. But since one of the main reasons behind offering bonus points for HL Maths was to get more people to attempt it, wouldn't the people who would be getting C3's and lower (the people who might consider dropping to OL) be the main targets of the scheme? Its not like we were in fear of having no applicants for HL Maths at all. The people getting high grades would more than likely have chosen it either way. I just think 100 points is incentive enough for the people who are already good at it. You'd still be encouraging more students to take up HL while preventing inflation of points in pretty much all competetive courses.

One of the main reasons people drop from HL is the fear of failing and therefore not being able to attend college. By boosting the points of the lower grades it makes staying at HL much more appealing. IMO boosting the points of those getting A's is just over-rewarding. It also leads to the potential problem of points for some courses breaking the 600 point ceiling. Courses like dentistry could very possbly rise above 600 in the coming years, making a good grade in HL Maths a pre-requisite, despite the course being completely non-mathematical.

Amirani

Bbbbolger wrote: »

I understand what you're saying. But since one of the main reasons behind offering bonus points for HL Maths was to get more people to attempt it, wouldn't the people who would be getting C3's and lower (the people who might consider dropping to OL) be the main targets of the scheme? Its not like we were in fear of having no applicants for HL Maths at all. The people getting high grades would more than likely have chosen it either way. I just think 100 points is incentive enough for the people who are already good at it. You'd still be encouraging more students to take up HL while preventing inflation of points in pretty much all competetive courses.

You're proposing giving bonus points to those who get C3s and lower. Surely you can see that this would create a situation where it's advantageous to get a C3 rather than a C2, obviously an impractical situation.

Regarding bonus points in general - Employers in general are demanding a work force with greater quantitative skills, not people who speak Irish fluently or are good at woodwork. Thus, it makes sense to ensure that a higher percentage of our college population has a good standing in maths, which is effectively what this does.

randylonghorn

Bbbbolger wrote: »

I understand what you're saying. But since one of the main reasons behind offering bonus points for HL Maths was to get more people to attempt it, wouldn't the people who would be getting C3's and lower (the people who might consider dropping to OL) be the main targets of the scheme?

Oh, I understand where you're coming from; my point is that your solution would have undesired side-effects too, albeit slightly different ones from the current scheme.

That's the problem with a lot of these schemes; politicians don't think through the likely consequences, they're just looking for the quick soundbite, the spot on the evening news ... and even if someone tries to point the consequences out to them, they're drowned out by the yes-men.

Bbbbolger wrote: »

One of the main reasons people drop from HL is the fear of failing and therefore not being able to attend college.

Someone suggested a different solution in this forum a few months back. Hold an "Ordinary Level" exam for those doing HL in February, say. Once they pass, that grade is "parked" in the system. If they pass HL in June, that grade / level replaces the Feb one; if they don't, the Feb grade activates and they have at least a pass or better at OL.

End of fear. No bonus points necessary.

But you see ... that would cost money to implement!

NiallSparky wrote: »

Regarding bonus points in general - Employers in general are demanding a work force with greater quantitative skills, not people who speak Irish fluently or are good at woodwork. Thus, it makes sense to ensure that a higher percentage of our college population has a good standing in maths, which is effectively what this does.

It does other stuff though as well though, Niall, as has been discussed further up the thread.

By the way, employers and FORFÁS are also highlighting the need for better foreign language skills and more people doing sciences.

Will they get bonus points next year?

HeaneyBabe

I can't believe that some are saying that basically the people who do HL maths are the ones who should be going to college because they're intelligent and work the hardest? Madness.

For the language I do, I worked my ass off to get the a1. I read books in the language, most of the time not having a clue what was written. I underlined every single verb tense in these books. When I had run out of opinion pieces after doing them all, I went to the French papers, translated the title and did the opinion pieces in the language I studied. I even went to the country alone a week before the orals, stayed with a family with no English and spoke the language.

Tell me that isn't working hard? I know honours maths is difficult, but just because you do it doesn't make you smarter than others who don't have the ability for HL maths. People's talents lie in different subjects.

Dwellingdweller

Patchy~ wrote: »

The best people get to college anyway. That's kind of why it's done on points and nothing else.

That's total BS. To get into University in Ireland all you have to do is do well academically. You could be an obese c**t who's never left the house in his life or contributed anything to society and you'll still get in. In the US, to get into a top university, you need to be active on an extracurricular basis, do community service, have something exceptional about you that makes you "the best". It's not like that in Ireland, anybody (not just 'the best'!) can get into the best colleges (TCD etc) as long as they do well academically, and it doesn't matter about anything else.

NiallSparky wrote: »

You're proposing giving bonus points to those who get C3s and lower. Surely you can see that this would create a situation where it's advantageous to get a C3 rather than a C2, obviously an impractical situation.

Regarding bonus points in general - Employers in general are demanding a work force with greater quantitative skills, not people who speak Irish fluently or are good at woodwork. Thus, it makes sense to ensure that a higher percentage of our college population has a good standing in maths, which is effectively what this does.

Going off topic here a little, but if we base all of our aspirations and goals in life upon what 'Employers in general are demanding' the world's going to end up a pretty sh***y place. IMO.

Chuchoter

I thought the bonus points were a good idea, however I think it should only be for a C2 or C1 grade and up. Scraping a pass on a simplified course does not merit 70 points.

The other massive problem I didn't anticipate was EVERYONE PASSED? That 97% pass rate is an absolute joke. If you're using the bell curve we spent so much time learning about, don't just abandon it to make the DOE happy. It will be the fact that so many passed, not the bonus points, that will send the system completely haywire this year.

Orange juice

I think we all deserved the extra points!
I spent the most time on maths because of it! Maths is way more time consuming than any other subject which is why the points even out! I know if I had done pass maths and know I wasn't counting it I would have had more time for other subjects and gotten a better result in them!
I really do think it evens out and also gives a strong incentive to stick with honours! Lots of people are able for honours but don't bother because it's not worth it! Last year we had 9 people doing honours maths and this year there were 19!

Canard

Dwellingdweller wrote: »

That's total BS. To get into University in Ireland all you have to do is do well academically. You could be an obese c**t who's never left the house in his life or contributed anything to society and you'll still get in. In the US, to get into a top university, you need to be active on an extracurricular basis, do community service, have something exceptional about you that makes you "the best". It's not like that in Ireland, anybody (not just 'the best'!) can get into the best colleges (TCD etc) as long as they do well academically, and it doesn't matter about anything else.

Eh, I think you took that up wrong...I didn't mean the best people in an all-round sense. I was replying to a post which stated that we need "the best" people getting to do science/maths courses, i.e. those getting the highest points, and I was pointing out that that is what happens.

Dapics

A system needs to be in place for those students who simply do not have the ability/capacity to process and use the Higher Level Maths curriculum.

Why not reserve a number of places in certain courses for those doing ordinary level maths? ( only in certain courses not related to maths such as Law which is around 500 points in UCD)

Some may say that's unfair but it's a bit fairer than what's currently in place. Or how about the CAO processes those doing Ordinary maths in such a way that their points are subsidised?
I dunno I'm only shooting out random idea's. But at the end of the day the true reason for the 25 point maths increase is indeed down to politics and how easy it is to implement.

dcam

BrianBoru00 wrote: »

Pretty typical of the "barstool brigade". Does honours maths.,..ergo...intelligent.

- Have a google for Gardners Intelligences and broaden your mind.


The LC is not perfect but it is fair. It would take a huge overhaul to for example allow different points for each individual course, depending on subjects studied.

The fact is that technology / science is the main driving force of the economy - a long way clear of say agriculture or contruction so it is imperative that we have a consistent supply of top quality gradates.

This IS where the jobs lie and there is a problem at third level where people are making a jump from OL Maths (very similar to JC HL) to Honours level and higher. So we should be encouraging people to persist with the higher level. The 25 marks was available to ANY student if they so wished , plenty were happy to remain at OL.

So again while you argue that its unfair to students who are excellent linguistically and can easily attain an A in English/ French /Irish, I think you 'd then also have to say its unfair on the student who will do all ordinary level subjects but would be exceptional and an A1 student at P.E. if that was on the curriculum .

Would just like to point out that the agricultural sector has always been a major source of income for the country and it is only getting stronger. I'm not saying give extra points for ag science by the way just that many people are returning to the land and that places in ag science colleges are becoming increasingly competitive. Technology and science have been contributing to the country in recent years but having said this many factories which would have employed people in these sectors are closing while agriculture is only on the rise.

Also a good knowledge of languages is becoming increasingly important as the world becomes more interdependent. Therefore I don't see why people should have a problem with there being bonus points for languages since they are already there for maths. In my opinion though a system with no bonus points in any subjects would be the fairest unless you are actually going to do a course at third level which relates to a particular LC subject.

Canard

Dapics wrote: »

A system needs to be in place for those students who simply do not have the ability/capacity to process and use the Higher Level Maths curriculum.

Why not reserve a number of places in certain courses for those doing ordinary level maths? ( only in certain courses not related to maths such as Law which is around 500 points in UCD)

Some may say that's unfair but it's a bit fairer than what's currently in place. Or how about the CAO processes those doing Ordinary maths in such a way that their points are subsidised?
I dunno I'm only shooting out random idea's. But at the end of the day the true reason for the 25 point maths increase is indeed down to politics and how easy it is to implement.

Well the problem there is that people with lower points will get in ahead of people whose points without bonus points would've gotten them their course, but who did HL maths just because they could, which is really unfair. In the end courses like Law go to the highest scorers and you don't need HL maths in the same way that you don't need to do any subjects in particular to score 550, so I think it's fair really.

dcam wrote: »

Would just like to point out that the agricultural sector has always been a major source of income for the country and it is only getting stronger. I'm not saying give extra points for ag science by the way just that many people are returning to the land and that places in ag science colleges are becoming increasingly competitive. Technology and science have been contributing to the country in recent years but having said this many factories which would have employed people in these sectors are closing while agriculture is only on the rise.

Also a good knowledge of languages is becoming increasingly important as the world becomes more interdependent. Therefore I don't see why people should have a problem with there being bonus points for languages since they are already there for maths. In my opinion though a system with no bonus points in any subjects would be the fairest unless you are actually going to do a course at third level which relates to a particular LC subject.

I think there should be extra points for languages but probably not 25, considering almost everyone does a language, most do it at HL and some even do more than 1.

I don't really think it's fair to give the points to people who don't plan to do maths in college if I'm honest...the incentive was to get more doing science/maths but obviously if they're just trying to scrape a pass they don't want to. Though I guess it might cause a few to realize they have more of an aptitude than they thought, which would be nice.

afrocod

Well I sat as an external candidate and the change to the syllabus really cost me a lot of marks, so I consider this the government saying "Sorry for ****in' thing's up for you there... here's 25 points"... Well deserved in my opinion...

HeaneyBabe

I do agree that the HL maths people work extremely hard and deserve a reward for
it, its just not fair on people that have done ordinary level competing for college places

Adventure

Bonus points should only be applicable to relevant courses like Engineering, Science or Actuarary etc. If applying for courses like Law or French, the points should not apply. I thought the whole idea of introducing bonus points for HL Maths was to encourage more people to: 1. Take up the subject and 2. Persue further education in the field of maths and science.

The bonus points will just lead to points inlfation and prevent some apt or competent students gaining places in certain courses.