Workoad for BTech

[TeenAndTween]

Everyone says A level is a big step up from GCSE, I get that.

BTech tutors are at pains to stress their courses are not an 'easy option', I get that too.

But generally BTechs have lower academic requirements, and therefore I'm thinking on average are done by people with slightly lower academic ability. (NB I know this isn't a hard and fast rule).

So, what is the workload for BTechs like compared with A levels? Is it the same? Or in theory the same but more straightforward so faster (compared with the same student doing A levels)? Or less? I'm assuming it would be more constant, with fewer peaks and troughs?

Or is this really a 'how long is a piece of string' question?

I'm trying to come to grips with what my expectations should be like for next academic year for my DD. But I don't really know what to ask.

It depends on the level of the BTEC. I know some students who are doing Health and Social BTEC which will be equivalent to two A-levels and they are majorly stressed about the workload which seems to be a never-ending stream of essays because it's all coursework.

A '3 A level equivalent' one.

Good point, I must check the requirements for essays and how much guidance there is as to structure.

BTEC please, not BTech. It's a acronym not an abbreviation.

Sorry, major bugbear

What subject is your DD going to be starting?

ds3 is doing a btec extended diploma supposed to be equivalent to 3 A levels and the workload is nothing like A levels. Its far less ime. He has assignments which he has about 3 weeks to complete and then there is a workshop the day before submission when most of his peers seem to start the assignment. They seem only to get pass and merit grades however whereas ds who seems to put only about the same hours or less than he did for 10 gcse subjects manages (so far) to get a full house of distinctions.

Do wonder if he should have stayed on at school and done A levels but he couldn't find 4 subjects he liked.

cricket Probably Travel & Tourism BTEC.
titchy sorry about terminology, it's all a bit new to me. Any comments regarding workload?
eat Thanks.

The students I know who are stressed would qualify for extra time in exams but because it's coursework they don't get any special consideration even though it will take them longer to complete the work. Definitely something to bear in mind if your DS has exam arrangements.

noble Thank you.

Bother. DD does indeed have special exam arrangements. Oh well, that's life.

ds had exam concessions when at school, extra time, rest breaks and separate room and the fact that his course (not T&T) is all coursework tends to be in his favour as there are only one or two classroom assessments which aren't practicals - everything else is done at home at his own pace.

I've been watching this thread with interest as I have a ds with chronic health/attendance problems who's just decided to accept his offer of a level 3 BTEC rather than the 3 AS levels he'd previously favoured. He's another student who has exam concessions and currently the school/LA are looking at home invigilation for his GCSE's as he's been quite unwell these last few months.

Originally he thought AS would be better as if he was off sick he could work independently at home. He'd assumed coursework for BTEC would be like the controlled assessments for GCSE that have to be done in school and he's struggling to get on top of the last couple of outstanding ones before the deadline next week. However, after talking to a BTEC tutor it became clearer that this would be better for him as he doesn't have to be physically present at college to complete assignments.

I've had one ds go the A level route and another is currently completing a BTEC in Art and Design. Both made the right choices for them. I think the BTEC workload does depend to some degree on what you put into it. You can coast, but then you won't then get the higher grades.

Pg 9 in this document seems to suggest that from Sept 2016 Btec are bringing in some exams

Presumably those starting this coming Sept on a 2 yr course wouldn't be affected but it might be worth checking

This seems to indicate that you can get access arrangements for Btec but no idea what that would entail.

L3 BTECs have changed recently and a whole host of new rules are in place about things like not extending deadlines, not allowing teachers to help students improve work, not repeating assignments and not giving feedback which is too specific. As a teacher of BTEC, it's very frustrating. Bottom line is that it's not necessarily a better option for a student with health/attendance issues. Massive emphasis on independent work and no opportunity to repeat work in order to improve grades.

Thank you, that's given me some things to ask at the open evening.

That's interesting EvilTwins as no-one has told ds about this at the interview and I was there with him (he doesn't like talking about his health so I do that bit). Oh well, he's just accepted the BTEC offer so he is committed to it now. However, the emphasis on independent work should suit him. He has been in school so infrequently at secondary level that he's had to learn most subjects by himself anyway.

As he has an ongoing condition the college learning support section said they should be able to help him find ways of keeping up to date when he's off. I don't know how effective they are but they seemed on the ball when we met them so we're optimistic that the support will be there.