GCSE Equivalents
There are many GCSE equivalent qualifications for maths and English that people can take to get into universities as well as improving their status for employers. The most relevant GCSE equivalent qualification for you depends on which course you are aiming to do. The following guidelines should help you determine which exam is the best for you.
These exams are most commonly taken by trainee teachers who are wanting to get access onto a training course. The qualifications are also widely accepted for nursing and midwifery courses as well as multiple other courses across the country. A Star Equivalency is the leading provider of these exams and they also offer quality revision materials to help you prepare for your exam. The following are the subjects offered for the GCSE equivalency tests:
For those looking to gain entry into University courses and trying to enhance their employment prospects, functional skills level 2 qualifications are usually the most relevant GCSE equivalent. Due to the pandemic, Ofqual have created exams that you are able to sit from the comfort of your own home. The following enable you to revise and book functional skills.
Other GCSE equivalents include:
BTECs (Business and Technology Education Council)
BTEC level 1-2 is a GCSE equivalent that learners can take while at college. They focus on vocational subjects which target specific job sectors and industries with no GCSE equivalents in maths and English.
Cambridge Nationals
Cambridge Nationals are comparable to BTEC’s as their focus is also on vocational subjects. There is no provision for maths and English.
NVQs (National Vocational Qualification)
An NVQ2 is a GCSE equivalent but again is a vocational qualification. They are valued by employers in the specific sectors they are relevant to. They can’t replace a GCSE or functional skills in maths and English and therefore they are supplementary qualifications and you will still require level 2’s.