BTEC vs GCSE?

Yes they are. Obviously depending on subject - you'd get nowhere doing an extended diploma in Health & Social care then applying to do medicine but I had a student do BTEC Sport & Exercise Science who was accepted for Physiotherapy, and another who did BTEC L3 Science who got accepted to do paramedics.

What about the extended level 3s? I know someone that got into an RG university with one of them. At distinction they are worth 3xAs at A level.

IMO, BTECs still suffer from the stigma that they're not as academic and that it's easy to cheat on them. Until the implications that they are used by poor schools to inflate figures goes away once and for all, many employers will still think of them as substandard. The new generation L2 BTECs are only in their 2nd year, so unless employers have specifically researched them, they won't know.

If the BTECs are harder does that mean that employers and universities prefer them? I have always felt that you can get GCSEs by 'fluke', by learning in class and not putting in much commitment along the way. I feel that BTECs are more thorough - so would employers see it that way too and prefer it?

The new spec BTECs are a lot more difficult at Level 2, (in fact the finance test UN Business is far more than any finance knowledge at GCSE) which seems to be the reason a lot of schools are no longer running them.

I've had a good look at the BTEC level 3 Diplomas and they look really interesting. If dd is getting distinction in her level 2s this may be the best way for her to work through level 3. I will discuss it with her teachers as I think coursework is going to be much more suitable for her than end of year exams.

It was me who mentioned BTEC maths, I should have been more specific and said BTEC maths units - there are a couple in the engineering BTEC, more if you count mechanics as maths too (which I guess as there is much overlap with A level mechanics modules you should). Given that the maths in BTEC engineering covers much of A level maths (even some further maths A level topics) you shouldn't really need to do A level maths alongside, but in reality to get properly competent at the maths it seems that you do.

I just don't get your previous post - suggesting that the school is running GCSE rather than BTEC because of league table issues, and then saying that BTECs were done just to inflate league table places...

Weird.
DS school doesn't really offer BTECs, the BTECs are available by going to 6th form colleges one day a week and using 2 options to do so. So would those still be added to the school's own league tables, given that the school isn't even the provider?

DD was put in for BTEC music because she didn't have grades in a musical instrument. She told me today that she is on track for distinction and that NONE of the GCSE students are going to get an A.

Would it be rude to gloat?

MrsBright - schools do not use BTECs to "inflate" their league table places - statements like that make me really mad. And anyway, there is hypocrisy in your post because you're somehow implying that doing GCSEs is a bad thing, then also claiming that doing BTECs is a bad thing. You can't have it both ways!

BTECs no longer count towards the reported figures in the same way as they did, which is a shame IMO because I know that the students in my BTEC Performing Arts classes work just as hard as the students in my GCSE Performing Arts classes (and in both Yr 10 & Yr 11, my current BTEC groups are better) but the BTEC qualification is somehow seen as inferior.

coco - no such thing as BTEC Maths. I would imagine anyone who has done BTEC Engineering and also A level Maths would be OK.

I agree with the poster who said it depends on the subject. We also offer BTEC Science for those who struggle at GCSE, but certain subjects - Engineering, Health & Social Care etc are better served by the BTEC format.

hench - it may then not be the content of the BTEC maths that is the problem, but the difference in calibre of the BTEC/A level students.In fact many A level students thinking of going into engineering will have further maths too.

The maths in btec level 3 engineering covers much the same topics as A level (but more focussed on applied), but the questions aren't done in exam conditions, can be redone until they are right, and are very formulaic. I'm not entirely surprised people are struggling with maths compared to A level students - it's quite possible to get a high grade in BTEC maths with a fairly superficial understanding and no real incentive to develop understanding further. But on the other hand, they're probably way better with oscilloscopes than the A level students.

A D at BTEC is equivalent in points to an A at A level, but some engineering courses are beginning to ask for maths A level as well as an entry requirement for btec applicants.

I done GCSEs, BTECs and a GNVQ at KS4, got good grades, went on to get good A-levels and attended a good university. Good university with a lot of snobs who would often sneer at BTECs until I dropped the "I done two" bomb on them. Awkward for them!

Although I believe it does depend on the subject. The school that I work in offers a BTEC in Science for students who struggle with GCSE Science, however a BTEC Drama with no GCSE alternative.

Oh can you thanks. Just been looking at them with dd. It's an interesting route - I'm doing a BTEC level 2 course at the moment and it's very thorough, I am very impressed.

You can get a Distinction at BTEC, which carries the same UCAS points as an A

That's interesting, I think if you get a distinction in BTEC it can only count as AAA - so the highest mark at BTEC will no longer get them into that RG Uni.

DS is doing an engineering at a RG Uni (entry AAA going up to A* AA) and there are quite a number of BTEC students
.They are really struggling with the maths though

My company is called Dragon Career Associates bit.ly/1hLDqWx, but there are lots of qualified advisers working freelance. To ensure that you engage a properly qualified adviser, look at the Professional Register of the Career Development Institute (CDI) bit.ly/19pxU9h.
It's not compulsory to join the register to practice (until it is compulsory, I probably won't be joining), at least you know that those listed are qualified.

I thought as much CareersDragon - what's the service called?

It does my heart good to hear Horsetowater and Tweasels comments here. It certainly seems that this government don't value face-to-face guidance, and in Wales the emphasis is on supporting those at risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training), rather than the excellent universal service available until recently.

There are those of us offering a private service, if parents are prepared to seek us out though!