If your dc did BTECs, do you say they have A levels?

[Milsonophonia]

My nephew did a BTEC in Media and a BTEC in Music production. He passed them all, which is fab. But my BIL keeps telling everyone he got 4 x A levels. My dd got 3 x A levels and I'm starting to feel a bit fed up with him saying dn got 4 x A levels. We were at a bbq yesterday and someone was congratulating dd and he interrupted and said well, dn got 4 A levels!

I think he may have got the equivalent of 4 A levels, so a great achievement whatever, but its beginning to annoy me. I know I'm being petty. But ds1 did BTECs a few years ago and did really well in them and ended up at uni but I am pretty sure I always told people he'd done BTECS!

No, but I know what you mean. I have taught A-Level and btec for many years and they are very different qualifications, assessed in extremely different ways. For this reason, although the content covered may be similar, btecs are a more accessible option for less academic children Or those who bomb in exams. I absolutely love the btec as a means of giving opportunity and next steps to students. I also think it is a wonderful mediator of social.mobility. However, there is just no way that a distinction is really equivalent to an A grade in A-Levels. My in laws pronounced all over Facebook that my niece had achieved As in her A-Levels when in fact she got a distinction in her btec. It really irritated me and just made them all look a bit daft. She worked hard and got a good qualification. What she did not achieve and never would achieve was 3 As. I also thought it was a shame as it was as if they couldn't just be proud of what she had got and had to dress it up as something else.

Yes this. He only got a Pass as well so its not even like he got a distinction. It's irritating.

I've got a BTEC and did an access course. Both of which are the equivalent of A-levels.
I never say I've got A- levels, because I haven't.

It's a bit annoying I know what you mean but I'd just focus on your DD's achievements. What does he say if someone asks what grades he got?

I’d just ignore it. Both kids passed and are happy, that’s all that matters.

I probably would have said something like, "wow did they do 4 A levels in addition to the BTECs, that is impressive, which A Levels did DN do?"

But honestly I wouldnt stress about these things, I would probably feel a little sad for DN that they cant feel proud of his achievements without the need to adjust them. They are clearly different things or they would have no need to have them separated as A Levels and BTECs. However if I were DN I would probably feel like my achievements were not enough, so its a little sad all around.

Seems churlish to bother about it.

Yeah its petty - just wondered if its a thing.

My child did a mixture and the snobbery was unreal - BTECs suited his way of learning but I almost trained him not to mention them as he then got looked down on and horrible things said to him by friends and family.

The fact that you can't just let everyone be happy with their own achievements is part of the issue here.

Perhaps it’s because many people who aren’t teenagers, parents of teenagers, or teachers don’t have any idea what a BTEC is, but do A Levels, so it’s an easier shorthand. I’d never heard of a BTEC before this thread and wouldn’t have a clue what level of qualification they provide or what age they’d typically be taken.

I can’t really see why it would annoy you tbh. Your DC worked hard and got their qualifications. DN worked hard and got their qualifications. DC’s qualifications don’t get cancelled out because DN refers to theirs with the wrong name.

I absolutely can.
My BIL can't though, clearly.

Ha! No. BTECs are nothing like an A level, whatever "equivalence" they've been given for other purposes. How pathetic of them to even pretend like that and how sad for their child that they aren't proud of what they've actually done rather than trying to pretend they did something else.

I did a BTEC, and got 1 AS level. No, I don't consider myself to have A levels.

Your BIL is being a knob and an A level snob. He obviously doesn't want to say his DS got 2 BTECs as he feels they are lesser.

I am always just happy that people's DCs have done well in whatever they have chosen to do.

Does it really matter? You don’t need to compare your children, just be happy with what your child achieved and congratulate your in-laws accordingly. Show your daughter that everyone can do well and people don’t have to be compared all the time. I’m sure both children have their strengths, seems churlish to be annoyed with this when both children have worked hard.

I have a BTEC, it is supposed to be equivalent to 2 A Levels. It is, in terms of uni applications etc, but I don't describe it like that. I think you should just ignore it though, whatever he wants to call it doesn't affect anyone else.

Nope, why would I? DS has gone on to secure a great oppurtunity Apprenticeship from his Btec.

I think it's only for UCAS points that anyone would give a 'shiny' and yes an all Merit+ in a Level3 Btec would be the same as 3 x A Levels in UCAS points.

I'd just nod politely and wish your nephew well.

I did a BTech as part of a Management NVQ I did years ago. I had no teaching for it, and just got asked to sit a couple of multiple choice online tests which took about 20 minutes each. It’s ridiculous to suggest they’re A Level equivalent. You couldn’t get 2 A Levels in 40 minutes with no tuition.

Tbh it's snobbery from you both. You're pissed off because you're working under the assumption BTECs are easier so it feels like an injustice for you child's achievements to be 'lower'. This other person is equally snobby by saying it's A Levels as he obviously feels those are superior.
For what it's worth I would've bombed BTECs. The amount of course work is insane. I struggled with the English GCSE coursework back when you had to do 7 or something pieces of it. I barely did any, but got nearly full marks in the exam so passed. I then took it for A Level and got an A as I thrived in exams. I would've failed BTECs, I don't understand why they're seen as less academic when they're not. A Levels are probably a better test of memory, but that's pretty useless nowadays. The amount of work you have to do for BTECs to a deadline is probably a better reflection of what's required in the workforce!

'only a pass' which he probably worked hard for.

It's sad that his Btech pass mark seems to hold no value for you or his dad.

I wonder how students feel to hear 'it's only a pass not like it's a distinction'

It shouldn't make a difference to you how your BIL chooses to talk about it.

DS is doing BTecs and I do tell people that he’s doing them instead of A levels but not that they are the same thing or interchangeable in any way

How odd.

I did a BTEC back in the day and always said the as what I did. Not A levels as I have none.

I did though go on to do an undergrad and a masters - which is all I’m ever asked about in the professional sense.

I did a BTEC subject and I’ve never said it was an A level, I would say I got a distinction.

Is it possible he doesn’t really understand the difference? Or the people he’s telling wouldn’t understand the difference? It makes things less confusing as they are equivalent to A levels (I know A levels are harder).

I wouldn’t care that he told people he got 4 A levels but I think it was rude of him to interrupt people congratulating your DD.

BTECs involve a lot of coursework. I definitely think they are easier than A levels but the BTEC courses that are equivalent to GCSEs and A levels can not be done in 40 mins, the A level equivalent BTEC courses take 2 years. It’s ridiculous to suggest they are done in 40 mins with no tuition, everyone would be doing them.