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Original poster

BTEC versus A levels

58 replies

GaribaldiGirl · 08/03/2019 09:04

My son is in GCSE year. He has an above average IQ but has slow processing and a poor working memory - he therefore has always found schoolwork and exams harder than most. I think he’ll get 5/6s in most subjects.

I’m wondering whether BTECs are better suited to pupils like him. I believe they have more coursework.

Any advice appreciated, particularly from anyone with experience of BTECs. Most people I know seem very A level focused.

He’s going to move schools for sixth form and one of the ones we’ve looked at has a BTEC option. His current school is strictly A levels or Baccalaureate only.

OP posts:
SuziQ10 · 08/03/2019 09:55

I would encourage A Levels.

onaroll · 08/03/2019 09:50

D D D* even

onaroll · 08/03/2019 09:49

Whoops - didn’t proof read
He got DDD*
(In my post above)

Diangled · 08/03/2019 09:48

My DS is nearing the end of his BTEC level 3 & is off to university this September. It’s been the making of him as he had to do 2 days a week at a work experience placement which helped his confidence no end. It also kept him interested in his course as whilst being intelligent he isn’t one for traditional book learning 5 days a week.

onaroll · 08/03/2019 09:47

Hi,
My son has completed an extended BTEC.
He decided he wanted to be an ‘engineer’.
He had the choices of doing 3 A’levels (maths, physics & probably history) or as he chose : leave his school- go to another college a take Maths A’level & Extended BTEC in Engineering.

He is someone that finds big exams hard.

After his 1st term he spoke to us & said he wanted to drop the maths A’level as he wanted to concentrate on and get great grades in his BTEC rather than fair results in them all. He did drop it - I’m retrospectively glad he did.

He worked hard throughout and made sure on every assessment he got a distinction grade (rather than a pass or merit).

He completed his BTEC and his final grade was DDD* - so the highest grade that could be achieved.
This is equivalent to 3x A* Alevels in UCAS points.
He himself acknowledges he doesn’t feel if he had gone the A’level route - he would of got 3 x A*.

He choose not to go Uni but wanted a degree.
He is now doing a Higher level (degree) apprenticeship. His high UCAS points meant he had the requirements for this.
He feels the way he worked and the assessments within the BTEC have trained him well for his degree course - follows the same format of learning.

He has friends from his course that had an overall lower grade (passes & Merits) , the UCAS points drop considerably - some didn’t get enough to apply for a degree at Uni /higher level apprenticeship.
Working hard throughout the BTEC course and making sure of high grades throughout - definitely pays off.

My Dd is in GCSE year now , she has watched her brother go successfully along a different route to the A’level one recommended by her/their school for 6th form.
If what she wanted to do had the BTEC / apprenticeship route - I think she would choose it - but it doesn’t so she will be staying on for 6th Form and doing A’levels.

HTH

TeenTimesTwo · 08/03/2019 09:46

No she didn't go on to uni. It was never on the cards, her brain just isn't up to it.

If you hang around there is a poster who works in FE who might turn up. Otherwise search this board for 'BTEC Support Thread' and a couple will come up that may be of interest.

Original poster
GaribaldiGirl · 08/03/2019 09:43

Thanks, that’s interesting. Did your daughter go on to further study with her BTEC?

He definitely isn’t a Russell group candidate but I’d like to think he’ll go to university.

It’s business I think he’d choose. I see you can do a BTEC which is equivalent to an A level or a course which is equivalent to 3 A levels. Maybe a mix would be good.

I see your point about distraction. Most pupils I know of who’ve done BTECs are the ones who are difficult and not interested in working. My son is diligent so don’t want that to change!

OP posts:
TeenTimesTwo · 08/03/2019 09:14

My DD got 5/6 equivalent grades, also with some SpLD. She did a BTEC Diploma (2 A level equiv) and Spanish AS (failed so dropped for 2nd year). She found the BTEC quite hard as, for her course at least, to get the best grades you had to have good research and analysis skills which were not her strong point.

BTECs do indeed have more coursework, though they all now, I believe, have some exam element. I think there is a lot to be said for BTECs.
But

  1. Some will be doing them because they 'have to stay in education' so behaviour may be more of an issue if the college isn't on top of it
  2. It does cut down university options if you are considering that. Though if only expecting 5/6s probably doesn't cut out the ones he would be aiming for anyway.

Can he find a BTEC he is interested in? If he were doing A levels what sort of subjects would he go for? Is he looking to do a mix A level & BTEC, or an Extended Diploma BTEC which is 3 A level equivalent? (e.g. There is a computing one).