What you wish you knew about GSCEs

[PinkyAndTheBarnacle]

Hello,

my eldest will be sitting GSCEs next summer. Has mocks after Christmas.

can you please shed any light on what you wish you’d known before hand?

are GSCE grades counted towards UCAS?
is UCAS still a thing?!
do you put your GSCE grades on your Uni application form?
how important are GSCE grades beyond getting into A-level courses?

thank you!

That if you've got to 34 without a C in maths, it still might catch up with you 😉

Just waiting for the results to see if I have now actually got a qualification in maths. Keep your fingers crossed

Yes, they are the absolute minimum grades required if you want to become a teacher, but do not gurantee a place on a course, especially at a competitive uni. Not sure the OP is particularly interested in teaching though?

They are looked at every time those who pass apply for a job too. Just an example of how they matter beyond a level.

Yes, but these days you have to have a minimum of level 4 in maths and English to study at A level and to get a place at uni, so the actual GCSE grade matters less once you've achieved a higher level. That's the point I was trying to make.

With my oldest, I wish I'd understood apprenticeships and how GCSEs work for post-Level 3 qualifications better. His GCSEs mattered significantly in his getting a sponsored cadetship, they have very fixed requirements.

With my second, I wish I'd had more information on the pros and cons of triple science compared to having another GCSE option.

My third is going through them now, and I feel I'm just about getting it.

As an immigrant who doesn't have any GCSEs, yes they matter post-GCSEs, even with higher qualifications. I'm finding they're oddly starting to matter more, like it's a box that needs to be ticked - I have a 2:1, but I still had to get a transcript of my high school records this year to show I'd done English, math, and a few other things.

My son took GCSEs this year, it was really stressful and he didn’t do as well as he should have. However, he got into the college he wanted to do the A Levels he wanted and is flourishing because they are subjects he enjoys and is good at. His results will reflect this, hopefully!

GCSEs really were just a stepping stone for him, and I wish there hadn’t been so much pressure and stress over them.

That all 9s is extremely rare - a completely different order to straight As in our day. Oxford looks at 8s and 9s, not just 9s. You can do double maths A levels most places with an 8. Only a tiny fraction of one percent get all 9s. I can't remember the figures but we estimated that the vast majority of comps won't have a single student who does.

Also they can hold multiple offers for sixth form and don't have to decide until their results come through. It is extremely helpful to be around on results day. I'd avoid booking holidays then but also make sure they book leave if they take a job over the summer. They might need to register at college in person, talk to admissions people etc.

@Dutch1e

My children sat 7 each. They sat them over two years. Some subjects fully studied and sat in one year, others studied over 2 years.

Each sat at least one science, some more science others more humanities.

The most we sat in one summer sitting for one child was 5. This has not hindered them. One has completed an MA.

Past papers, mark schemes and examiners repors available online. Also be familiar with grade boundaries so you know what DC is aiming for.

To answer your questions in one go: yes GCSE grades go on your UCAS form (still a thing) but tbf once you have Eng and maths at 5 or 6, most unis do not mind. The top-tier unis may require GCSEs graded 7+, as will some specific course (med, vet med for example); and for some courses there are specific GCSE requirements, but IME those are mainly if you don't have an A level (random example; a 7 in maths for economics if no A level maths).

For me as a former classroom teacher and still a tutor and examiner in my subject, the big BIG thing I wish students, teachers and tutors would do (students should do it in case the teacher has not) is to check the spec for the exam and make sure they have done what they need to do and know what they need to do in the exam.

What I mean is (for example): do they need to ask a question in the MFL speaking exam? Do the know how important it is to extend answers for the photocard but not the roleplay? [MFL is my subject] How many points do they need to make for a 4-mark question in Eng lang? Should they show working in maths GCSE? when and how? (and so on)

I’ve never had to show gcse certificates and they don’t go on job applications either. They would be largely irrelevant!
as for ucas applications, if you apply before you’ve taken a levels they’re probably the only qualifications you have in hand so yes they’ll likely be looked at as an indicator along with predicted grades. If you want a more popular course they will also likely pay more attention to whittle down the applicants.

It's possible to get some degrees with one of these gcses missing or replaced with functional skills which is not the same.

All really useful advice, thank you!!