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Original poster

universities - how much weight do they put on specific exam boards???

35 replies

lilolilmanchester · 09/05/2009 19:26

A (not always reliably informed) friend tells me that universities favour certain GCSE exam boards over others and that if you go to the school my DD is going to, you stand far less chance of getting into uni vs the school her DD is going to due to GCSE boards. Is this true??? When I applied to uni, they didn't ask about exam boards but that was a zillion years ago. Anyone know whether they ask about this now (am talking GCSE, not A level) and to what extent it affects entrance opportunities. Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
lilolilmanchester · 09/05/2009 20:04

thanks. Am talking mainstream board here and regular subjects (DF's "reliably sourced info" is that e.g. As in English and Maths from, let's say, exam board "E......" would not be seen as favourably as A from, let's say, exam board "A..". Have dismissed her claims as twaddle but then thought it a bit arrogant so thought I'd consult the oracle!

OP posts:
Monkeyandbooba · 09/05/2009 19:59

Personally, I don't know any that are less favourable (IMHO). There may be issues with the subjects but not with the boards.

roisin · 09/05/2009 19:59

No, I don't think so, not really.
There are certain obscure boards that do obscure subjects that would raise an eyebrow. Our school offers "motor vehicle studies" which is through a Northern Ireland exam board, but it's the subject that would raise the query, not the board.

Original poster
lilolilmanchester · 09/05/2009 19:57

thanks - I agree. Unless exam boards need to be specified on the application form, how on earth would universities find the time to investigate?? TBH (and this will sound rude, sorry but is true!) this friend isn't bright enough to realise when she's talking bollocks. But apparently KNOWS this to be the case. Would also be interested to know which exam boards are considered less favourable and why but a big ask for people to comment on that on a forum.

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HRHQueenElizabethII · 09/05/2009 19:53

I think that's highly unlikely, tbh. DH is a lecturer at a v. good univ and says it's certainly not true for them, and wasn't when he interviewed students at Cambridge. I work in uni admin, but not admissions - but I just can't see how they've have time to even consider exam boards. Will ask our admissions people next week if I get a chance - I suspect they'll just laugh!

Monkeyandbooba · 09/05/2009 19:51

As a Uni lecturer I can say it wouldn't cross my mind to discriminate on the basis of an exam board! I know that this would stand for the recruitment department too.

Original poster
lilolilmanchester · 09/05/2009 19:49

thanks rusty. Not megga urgent, nothing I can do to change things for DD, but intrigued. If my friend is wrong, would like to give her the facts before she winds up too many other people!

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RustyBear · 09/05/2009 19:47

I'm pretty sure there's at least one mumsnetter who's involved with university selection, so perhaps if you keep this bumped they'll spot it.

Original poster
lilolilmanchester · 09/05/2009 19:32

I couldn't see it myself Rusty - perhaps for A'level, but def not for GCSE - however, she is adamant.

OP posts:
RustyBear · 09/05/2009 19:29

As far as I remember DD & DS's UCAS forms didn't ask which exam boards her GCSE's were with, so unless they track down every candidiate's record individually, I reckon your friend is talking crap misinformed.