Confused about Foundation/Higher tiers...

[LucasNorthsTwiglets]

Are the foundation tier exams seen as worth less than the higher tiers, or is a C in Foundation the same as a C in Higher? (or whatever the new grades are now). If they're the same, then how is that fair, as the Foundation paper is easier!

Also, does your exam certificate show which tier you sat?

A C is a C is a C. That said sometimes to do a subject at A level you need the grade to have been taken from the higher tier - check if this is likely. The tier of entry doesn't show on the exam certificate. To gain a C on the foundation paper will require a much higher mark than on the higher paper.

The grade boundary for a C (4) on the Foundation paper for Maths in June was 50%, and on Higher was 17%.

It is, IMO, pointless to enter a student who is aiming for a 4 for the higher paper where they might not be able to answer 83% of the questions and still pass.

Nothing on certificates says which tier was sat.

For the new 9-1 GCSEs only Maths and the Sciences (either Combined Science 2 GCSEs) or Physics, Chemistry, Biology (3 separate GCSEs) are tiered. All other subjects will be untiered.
So if your dc hasn't taken GCSEs yet this may not apply.
If they are taking the Foundation paper the C grade questions/topics are essentially the same on both the Higher and Foundation papers. If they are taking the Foundation tier they will need to also be able to complete the lower grade questions correctly, so will need a higher mark.
For the higher tier they will have to do the same C grade questions/topics but there will also be harder questions aimed at pupils who will be achieving higher grades. So grade C candidates will need a lower mark.

Catslife I thought that was the case but the AQA specification for French seems to imply otherwise I'm so confused!

smellylittleorange I have looked at the AQA site and it looks as if MFL are still tiered as well. This has changed since 9-1 GCSEs were first proposed.
However English (both Lang and Lit) which used to be tiered now isn't and also Geography.

Thanks everyone!

Yes thank you! Grrr hate these tiered papers so much anxiety surrounding them. Sorry to derail thread OP