GCSE/A-Levels
GCSE:
The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is an academic qualification, generally taken in a number of subjects by pupils in secondary education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Each GCSE qualification is in a particular subject, and stands alone, but a suite of such qualifications (or their equivalents) are generally accepted as the record of achievement at the age of 16, in place of a leaving certificate or baccalaureate qualification in other territories
Studies for GCSE examinations generally take place over a period of two or three academic years (depending upon the subject, school, and exam board), starting in Year 9 or Year 10 for the majority of students, with examinations being sat at the end of Year 11.
Equivalent GCSE grades:
A GCSE certificate is awarded on a graded scale, and cross two levels of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF): Level 1 and Level 2. These two levels roughly correspond, respectively, to foundation and higher tier in tiered GCSE qualifications.
Level 1 qualifications constitute GCSEs at grades G, F, E, and D or 1, 2, and 3.
Level 2 qualifications are those at grades C, B, A, and A* or 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.
9 – 1 grading system vs. A – E grading system
Each number in the new system can be compared to an alphabet in the old system. For example, 5 in GCSE is a lower B / higher C grade. A 7 in GCSE is considered a Lower A* / high A.
If you get a GCSE 4 or Lower C grade, then you have achieved passing marks. Anything below a 4 or Lower C grade will require retaking the GCSE exam.
9 = High A* grade
8 = Lower A* or high A
7 = Lower A grade
6 = High B grade
5 = Lower B or high C
4 = Lower C grade (pass mark)
3 = D or high E
2 = Lower E or high F
1 = Lower F or G
U = U remains the same
Pre-GCSE Preparation:
Students in the UK start their initial preparation for GCSEs at the age of 13. Pre-GCSE preparation has two levels.
International students with lower levels of English (CEFR ≤ B1; IELTS < 5.0)
It is necessary to develop academic and subject-specific vocabulary through intense English language coaching.
International students with high levels of English (CEFR ≥ B1; IELTS ≥ 5.0)
Can enter senior school and learn alongside British students. In year 9, students approach the start of GCSE courses in year 10. Students can get tutoring in the core subjects of Art, Biology, Chemistry, English, Geography, History, Physics, Religious Studies, Computing and ICT, Maths, PSHEE and PE – plus a modern foreign language.
TopCourses GCSE English tutor:
Karina Thorne
BA MA (University of Nottingham) CELTA, COLT
Karina has 10 years’ English Language tutoring experience under her belt. She specialises in preparing students for English Language exams as well as university life in the UK through Academic Skills training.
TopCourses GCSE Science, GCSE Combined Science tutor:
Bradly Kneisel
BSc MSc (Imperial College London)
Bradly has a first-class Biochemistry degree from Imperial College London and ten years’ tutoring experience. He has developed and delivered full IB and A-level courses in chemistry, biology, mathematics, and physics.
IGCSE:
The IGCSE or International General Certificate of Secondary Education is an international qualification for Year 10 and 11 students studying in non-UK countries. It is equivalent to the GCSE and is accepted by UK institutions and UK universities. International students studying the IGCSE can continue their education by taking A-levels, IB, or Foundation courses.
Not sure how good your GCSE grades are or what GCSE Grades are needed for A-levels?
Retaking GCSEs:
Students may need to retake GCSE exams if they need a particular grade in one or more subjects to meet minimum requirements of A-levels, IB, or Foundation Courses. Or perhaps the student was disappointed with their score and believe they can achieve a better score.
Who can retake GCSE exams? The answer is everybody. There is no age limit for resitting GCSE exams or limit to the number of times you can retake the GCSE.
The most common subjects that students retake include Maths, English, Science and Modern Foreign Languages. While specialist subject areas such as Business, Psychology and Computer Science are also popular.
A-level:
The General Certificate of Secondary Education Advanced Level (GCE A Level) is one of the world’s most recognised qualifications, leading students to direct university entry. To obtain this qualification, students undertake a 2 year course normally starting at the age of 16. Apart from acquiring knowledge in particular subjects, the course also helps the students to develop important skills such as problem solving and project management.
Normally, students take between 3 and 5 A-Levels in their first year of sixth form, and most cut back to 3 in their second year. This is because university offers are normally based on 3 A-Levels.
Unlike other level 3 qualifications such as the International Baccalaureate, A-Levels have no specific subject requirements, so students have the opportunity to combine any subjects they wish to take. However, students normally pick their courses based on the degree they wish to pursue at university: most degrees require specific A Levels for entry, such as A Level Mathematics for a Mathematics degree.
Plan your A-Levels subjects for studying a university degree
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