GCSE

[debbiedoughnut42]

could any one tell me if you can enter a child for GCSE if they are not formally taught the subject at a school but taught it at home.

It is difficult with ordinary GCSEs as there is also a requirement to have coursework marked and validated by an official person, so it is tricky to do them independently.

But you can do it with an IGCSE (International GCSE) - both Cambridge and Edexcel exam boards have these, and they are given on the basis of a final exam only. So all you have to do is study for them and find an exam centre which will take you as an independent candidate. The exam boards would be able to tell you where you could arrange for your DC to sit the exam - often at a private school in your area.

Thank you for the information, very helpful and looking into IGCSE.

Hi debbie
I am coming to the conclusion that the best bet is to find exam centres that will accept candidates - then study those subjects you can find suitable exam centres for.

My ds is only 8 but I am thinking ahead

Can you do regular GCSEs with course work if you do them through a distance learning centre whereby you can send work off for assessment?

Flipper - yes I believe so, the distance learning centre would have arrangements for getting the coursework marked. If they offer GCSEs then I'd think they must have ways of sorting it out!

You can do AQA GCSE maths because there is no coursework. You can do others if you find a willing exam centre and someone who can authenticate the coursework - though I think things will change next year. My DD1 is doing mostly iGCSEs because they are logistically easier but I'd say they're considerably harder to pass. She's doing maths GCSEand it's a breeze compared to the iGCSEs.