Engineering BTEC in Year 11

[SorrelForbes]

Can anyone tell me how many GCSEs this is equivalent to? My DSS says that its equal to 7 GCSEs at A* which seems rather a lot to me and DH!

[SecretSquirrels]

There are different levels of BTEC.
DS did one which is allegedly "worth" 2 GCSEs but there was a longer course worth more.
However I don't think anyone really believes that BTECs are equivalent to GCSEs. There is no exam content at all. DS finished his BTEC months before the end of the year (with a D* ) and spent the remaining lessons revising other subjects.

[Sleepysand]

The seven GCSE equivalent used to be the diploma, not the BTEC, although the full time level 2 extended certificate was worth 7 - it was usually taken post 16. I am not sure, but that might still be available.

I would agree with everything SecretSquirrels said - I am a curriculum designer and teacher and BTECs are not well regarded. Most BTECs started this year are worth the "same" as GCSEs for the guided learning hours they take (ie how many option blocks it occupied in your school's curriculum model, so a 3 hour a week course is 1 GCSE, 6 hours a week - roughly - is 2, etc), so if it took up one option choice it is worth one, and if two, it is worth two. There are no magic 7 GCSE fixes available pre-16 any more. However, there are some hangover ones so if your son is going into Y11 it might be worth double - so a two-option-block subject is worth 4.

BTECs are available at level 1 (grades G-D) and 2 (C-A*) but employers are sceptical, especially as Mr Gove has been slagging BTECs off for a while now.

Best bet is to call the curriculum team leader for Engineering or Technology at your son's school and ask for chapter and verse - get them to tell you which board it is and which qualification (diploma, certificate) etc it is. If you repost that here, I will tell you the GCSE equivalent.

[cricketballs]

BTEC Certificate is worth 1 GCSE
BTEC Extended Certificate is worth 2 GCSEs
BTEC Diploma is worth 4 GCSEs

However there is also
the Foundation Diploma is equivalent to 5 GCSEs at grades D to G.
The Higher Diploma is equivalent to 7 GCSEs at grades A* to C

the link to the information is here

[TheFallenMadonna]

Equivalency is out of the window really.

And rightly so, as they are completely different qualifications (although, in my subject, the content is pretty much the same).

Is he due to start it in year 11?

[SorrelForbes]

Thanks everyone. He's about to start 6th form so has just finished this BTEC as part of his Year 11 courses.. He's keen on pursuing a career in engineering in the army but we're struggling to work out exactly what qualifications he has and what he still needs for Uni/officer selection. He is telling everyone that he now has 9 A*s (the 7 from the BTEC plus two other subjects) but as he doesn't live with us we can't check his result paperwork to see if this is the case.

He wants us to help him with his Army application etc but we're struggling to understand what's what! I think DH needs to phone his school.

Thanks again for the info and link.

[sashh]

BTECs are available at level 1 (grades G-D) and 2 (C-A) but employers are sceptical, especially as Mr Gove has been slagging BTECs off for a while now.*

They are also available at Level 3 and HND. Employers who nderstand them have no problem, and most employers and all universities recognise HND.

Sorrel

You need to know what level his BTEC was and whether he did award, certificate or diploma.

[Sleepysand]

Equivalency for year 11 2011-2012 is different to that for those just starting out.

Talking to school is best, but you may have trouble finding anyone. An email will probably be answered.

[Sleepysand]

Equivalency for year 11 2011-2012 is different to that for those just starting out.

Talking to school is best, but you may have trouble finding anyone. An email will probably be answered.

BTECs are not available at level 3 at KS4, which is why I didn't mention them.

[EvilSynchronisedDivers]

My school has had students doing the 7 GCSE equivalent diploma in both Engineering and Arts & Media this year. Despite the fact that I am a supporter of BTEC in some subjects (I teach performing arts and consider both level 2 & 3 BTECs to be more appropriate qualifications in my subject than GCSE/A Level) our students have had problems with colleges etc knowing enough about the Diploma. One girl was told by our local HE college that her qualification was only worth 1 GCSE to them, not 7, and so she would have to resit GCSEs before being able to progress onto level 3 courses. Two of the engineering boys want to come to us for 6th form (no problem) but are concerned about applying to university. I believe the Diploma course is no longer going ahead (though I am happy to be corrected- it might just be in my area) so students will also face the issue of having a qualification that not everyone knows about. I would email the school and ask for the full course title including awarding body and course code so that you can answer any queries.