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!

Yes, I'd agree with that. Even if his DS had got 5 A* A-levels, he shouldn't have interrupted that moment. But he might have just got fed up of explaining.

I haven't corrected people if they've asked did she pass her a levels.
Tbh does it matter? My daughter passed, gained her first choice of university and is very happy and we are proud.
Maybe people like me don't correct others because of the snobbery that is evident. A qualification is an achievement no matter what and if the yp can move into their next steps surely that's what is important?

The unis and course that my dc is applying to won't take BTECS or T levels as acceptable qualifications, has to be A levels, IB or the Scottish/Welsh equivalents. So they definitely aren't thought of the same.

No. I always say Btec and use it as an opportunity to evangelise about how great they are c

It probably is petty and irrational but would annoy me too, not so much saying he has A levels but then undermining your DD

What a non event. DS did 2 BTECs and 1 A Level and got all As. When I told others I just referred to them as A levels as easier. Most people aren’t interested in the details anyway. DS got into the university he wanted to go to which is all that matters and all people need to know. You sound really mean OP.

My daughter did 2 A levels and a BTEC. She got a Distinction Star in the BTEC which gives her the equivalent UCAS points as an A Star. Her A levels were A and B.

So you’re telling me that her BTEC Distinction Star is not as good? Or is it just snobbery?

I doubt you did the extended diploma that's worth 3 a levels.
There's 3 levels of BTEC within each level. So you can do:
Level 3 Certificate
Level 3 Diploma
Level 3 Extended Diploma

You probably did the certificate

Exactly this!

I did a Btec & A level. They are two different things.

The Btec was so much more suited to the uni course I went to do (health care profession) and the work experience element helped me rule out what I did and didn't want to work as.

I haven't thought about it in 20years+ though. It was a stepping stone to university for me, as A levels would have been.

It’s only Level 3 BTEC that are the same level as A levels.

Not in your nephew's case, but I think some people say it when they are doing a mixture of A levels and BTECs (the type of BTEC that are equivalent to one A level). It doesn't bother me, but I can see why it would with my experience of schools touting their students in the local press with 4 As, then you look more closely and one is an EPQ, which is only half an A level. Not important, but misleading.

Does it matter ?
Both qualifications at the relevant level get a person into university.

That’s what my daughter did…BTEC Level 3 National 540 Diploma

I thought all this sneering about Alevels being the gold mark had died out in the 90,s I did Alevels BTW.

Most schools also don't allow the equivalent of 4 A levels in BTECs :S the most is 3. Usually made up of a Extended Diploma or a double award plus 1 a level

I think you're being overly competitive here. Be happy that your daughter and nephew did so well.

But BTEC only go to level 3. NVQ can go higher.
My DD did A level’s and double BTEC. Level 3 and the BTEC was hard work and she achieved Distinction star(double) but obviously reading this thread makes me sad.

That's their problem then isn't it ,I'm 50 and Btechs,were around when I was at college they are hardly new qualifications.

My DD got a merit in her UAL (BTEC equivalent) which equates to 3Bs at A Level. None of it matters so long as she can can progress to her chosen next step. Im proud of her and so should she be 😊

No, I'm saying it's a BTEC, not an A level.

I don't say my own dd has three BTECS, because she doesn't, she has three A levels. The exams are totally different.

I'm not being snobby, I'm saying my nephew does not have 4 A levels. He may have the equivalent in points.

Well done to her. I'm assuming you don't say she has 3 A levels though?

What are you talking about? BTECs have been around for decades and most parents of teenagers have heard of or took BTECs themselves. Even i did a BTEC and I'm 55! so I'm one of those parents. Unless you're a foreigner who just arrived in the UK the majority of the population knows what a BTEC is.

Yeah everyone knows what BTECS are!

So why is it an issue? I mean you’re technically correct but what harm is it causing you?

Oh, and I say my daughter has 2 A Levels and a BTEC Distinction Star, which is the equivalent of an A Level A*, because that’s what people seem to understand.