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Original poster

So, who still has their GCSE certificates?

205 replies

Borisjohnsonshairbrush · 20/08/2021 14:01

So, I'm 36, I've been working 20 years and my new employer wants to see my GCSE certificates. So yes kids, they are important Grin

Admin/receptionist job.

Lost them years ago during a house move and its going to cost me several forms of I.D and £45.00 to get them from AQA.

Who else still has theirs 15+ years later?

OP posts:
Delphigirl · 20/08/2021 16:11

I have them, and my a level certs and degree/professional exam certs all in a folder marked “DG’s certificates” in my mum’s writing. She ceremoniously handed the folder to me about 5 years ago saying “I think I can trust you with these now”. I was 47 at the time Grin

Iseeyoulookingatme · 20/08/2021 16:18

I moved before I even got my gcse certificates back in 1999 so I never received them. I do however have my degree certificate and my gcse maths as I redid this back in 2016.

OldTinHat · 20/08/2021 16:19

I'm pre GCSE and still have my O Level certificates!

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General education
topcat2014 · 20/08/2021 16:19

DW has all hers in a folder. I can just about find degree never mind GCSE and A levels!

AdaColeman · 20/08/2021 16:19

Yes, I've still got all of mine.

They are written on parchment with a quill pen and oak gall ink!

JRKismyhero · 20/08/2021 16:20

I have them in a specific folder for this very reason!!

fantasmasgoria1 · 20/08/2021 16:23

No! I have my degree certificate in a frame and the summary is kept safe. I didn't want to frame it but my Fiance said I should and I can't lose it if it's on the wall!

Babysharkdoodoodood · 20/08/2021 16:25

I have my O level certificates, but have scanned them into my iCloud as well.
Pretty redundant though as they're only valid for 10 years and I have all my post grad certificates

DerAlteMann · 20/08/2021 16:29

I lost my GCE certs in a house move years ago. Getting replacements from the Univ.of London was a right pain (& cost a bit too), s, all I have is a letter from my former headmaster confirming what I exams I passed. No employer has ever asked to see my certs. in 30+ years,

clary · 20/08/2021 16:29

@Babysharkdoodoodood

I have my O level certificates, but have scanned them into my iCloud as well. Pretty redundant though as they're only valid for 10 years and I have all my post grad certificates
Who says they are only valid for 10 years? How can that be so? If it were true we would all constantly be retaking Eng and maths as they are needed for many jobs (even if few employers ask for proof).
DerAlteMann · 20/08/2021 16:31

Valid for 10 years! Rubbish. I'm not re-sitting O-Level Physics for any man born of woman!

Cocolapew · 20/08/2021 16:32

I do.
I also have my 25m swimming certificate and BAGA 3 and 4 certificates that I did in primary school. Im 53 now.
Tbf my Mum was the one who kept them.

Wimpeyspread · 20/08/2021 16:37

I have my O-level ones

LubaLuca · 20/08/2021 16:38

I don't remember ever seeing mine, but presumably I was given them on results day (I seen to remember something more like a printout, nothing very important-looking). I wonder if my mum has them, or if I've lost them.

I'm in the process of starting a new job, and the employer is very thorough in the background checks. Starting to panic that they'll ask for certificates 😬

Original poster
Borisjohnsonshairbrush · 20/08/2021 16:41

I'm going to retake my GCSE maths, I didn't remember how bad I did?

I've just phoned my mum to ask what sexual favours she offered my college tutor to get me on the B-tech IT course as you absolutely needed a D back then to get on.
but no, a nice juicy F xx

OP posts:
GingerAndTheBiscuits · 20/08/2021 16:42

Same age as you OP and mine are filed neatly (with my A level and degree certificates) in my burgundy National Record of Achievement folder, like the geek I am!

LubaLuca · 20/08/2021 16:43

Good luck with the maths Smile

TheGenealogist · 20/08/2021 16:43

@Babysharkdoodoodood

I have my O level certificates, but have scanned them into my iCloud as well. Pretty redundant though as they're only valid for 10 years and I have all my post grad certificates
Valid for 10 years? What a load of shite. I passed O Grade Maths in 1988 and haven't sat a maths exam since.

Should I have done another in 1998, 2008, 2018? Better get revising...

Boood · 20/08/2021 16:48

I think I had already lost mine when I did my A-Levels. Had to produce them last year and it was a right performance. Tried calling my school to check which exam boards I’d done them with, and they cheerfully informed me that I’d left so long ago (1994) that it was before any records were computerised and they’d have no way of even confirming I’d been at the school, unless a teacher happened to remember me.

Svalberg · 20/08/2021 16:58

I have my mum's O level certificates and she was the 1st year to do O levels rather than School Certificate

allfurcoatnoknickers · 20/08/2021 17:20

My parents have mine. Good knows where in their hoarders house of horrors.

I live abroad, so I'm surprised that jobs still require GCSE certificates. I don't love the idea of employers judging my 16 year old self TBH. My GCSEs are all A*-B, but I'm horrified that exams I took almost 20 years ago when I was a kid could still have a knock on effect on my career as a 34 year old woman with 2 degrees Hmm.

Monkeytennis97 · 20/08/2021 17:22

I do. Have to show them at every teaching job interview.

Monkeytennis97 · 20/08/2021 17:23

Almost 50 too.

EBearhug · 20/08/2021 17:26

I have mine from 1988, and I had to provide them a couple of years ago. They were more interested in my Maths and English GCSEs than my two degrees (also last century,) despite the fact I wouldn't have been eligible for either degree without the GCSEs.

clary · 20/08/2021 17:26

Those who are querying why a job would require you to produce the certificates, there are a number of roles for which GCSE maths and English and sometimes science are essential. Teaching for one and I am sure that's not the only one.

What do people suggest happens - an assumption that they have been passed? You also need a degree to train as a teacher, hence needing that cert too - in my case it was 35 years ago but I still need to show it. Funnily enough I have never been asked for my A level certs as they have never been a requirement for any role.