From GCSE to university

[sleighbob]

Some advice needed from parents with older children please! We have a year 10 who will sit one early GCSE. We feel this GCSE is taking a huge amount of time and priority but it is a humanity and not really as important as English or Maths. What happens when you apply to university - will they be interested in the grade of the early gcse (or disregard it and so we should reduce the priority?). Are GCSEs considered much for university applications or is it mostly on A level predictions?

Universities are not going to put huge weight on any individual GCSE result, other than those relevant to the course and probably wanting to see a reasonable result for maths/English. Those that do any sort of "points score" on GCSE are likely to use the best eight subjects rather than every single one.

That said, they might as well put in a reasonable amount of effort on this one - it might be easier to get a good grade on this one than whatever is bottom of their priority list next year, when there will be so much more to revise.

There's no such thing as a humanity, humanities is always plural. And if your DC is taking this humanities subject early, it suggests this may be their main interest and probable subject to study at University, so hardly a waste of time.

In that respect it demonstrates an early interest. English and Maths are basic levels of competence, someone who struggles to get a 5 in English and Maths may not be a strong enough candidate for A Level.

University admission panels generally looks at the whole picture, but A level predictions are a huge driver for 6th form candidates.

Dc here take some gcse in year 10 such as English lit, half rs and history, half PE. They all count the same when applying to do ALevel and then on to uni they will be listed on the UCAS form along with ALevel grades. Priority needs to be given to all, but focus on English, maths and subjects they want to do at ALevel

Yes, this will go on their university application, as it is fraudulent to keep it off. No, it wouldnt count that much for sixth form, as sixth form are generally interested in exams taken together in one sitting. Universities tend to count all exams taken over a 2 year period, so anyhting in year 10 and 11 counts towards the GCSE score

Varies according to institution and course though

ALso, if this is a subject taken at A level, or a subject counted towards the entry requirements for an A level, then obviously, it matters

Quite a few schools have Year 10s taking certain GCSEs early and it wasn't anything to do with the child's interest or ability. They do RS a year early at my DD's school. I think it can work well especially if it is a subject that probably isn't going to be continued with at A-level. My DD didn't do massive amounts of revision for it and didn't prioritise it over other subjects, but just chipped away. If it's a subject your child thinks they will want to continue with, then it's probably worth prioritising a bit more.

My DD's school also do RS a year early (the whole year group) so nothing to do with interests. I think this is quite common, particularly in faith schools. I would imagine most universities wouldn't place much stock on one subject.

@sleighbob My niece's school all sit English Lit in year 10 and spend year 11 trying to ace English Language as that is the English that counts when asking for English and Maths. It isn't that unusual to sit a GCSE or two in year 10.

All GCSE sat must be listed on the UCAS application form and when they were sat. In terms of does it count, GCSEs are just one part of the weighting. Oxford place emphasis on GCSEs, Cambridge not as much, it used to rely on AS levels. Others look at the best 8 grades from GCSEs others don't rate them that much. Some unis have entrance exams for certain subjects but these are the top rated unis and the competitive degree subjects.

Ds's mate had 6s in some subjects but those he took at A level he had 9s in. He continued with one of these subjects at uni (physics) so do they really care that he got a 6 in Music? Probably not because he got mostly 9s and 8s which are generally regarded as the same A star equivalent, three 7s and two 6s. Plus his A levels were A stars and A grades.

It would seem that your child isn't looking to take the humanities subject at A level so they just need to do the best they can in it. Are they sitting a 2 year GCSE in a year or did they cover content in year 9? Why is it taking so much time and what grade would they be happy with and do they have an idea of what grade they are predicted? It would help if you told us the subject and we might be able to point to some useful resources that may cut down their time spent studying.

@Treeofglitter your niece's school sounds eminently sensible as, agreed, it would be so much better to focus on English. Like DC of many posters @BananaDaiquiri @LighthouseCat, all students take gcse RS in Y10 and, if the content were more rounded, it would be a good choice but with AQA they study two religions and learn far too much about those and it lacks world & historical perspective - I think it is fairly dull and prescriptive and heavily favours those who already practice a chosen religion. With a mock looming after Christmas, it is taking precedence over subjects that will be A' level choices - and English and Maths or even just enjoying being 14 and free at Christmas to relax! Hence the question of whether it will even be considered given it will be taken a year early (I have read that taking GCSEs spread beyond Y11 can be regarded less favourably). @lanthanum @mumonthehill DC can get an 8/9 if they want to and trying to decide whether to encourage or discourage - it is a full GCSE and even getting through the units will take time from the other 11 subjects this year but thus wondering whether this good grade will be ignored as taken separately. I would prefer further maths for both my DC. Nothing to do with fraud @Nimbostratus100 😂that did make me chuckle - I just want DC to do less work!

@sleighbob I just meant they will never have the option of leaving it off their application form, because it is a grade that reflects poorly on them. What ever the grade is, it will go on the form

In my experience they are not viewed differently and spreading out GCSE’s over 2 years can help many students. In wales where I am this is done in most schools. Elder ds did the same and is now at a very good uni so had no issues for him at all. It means less work in the spring of year 11 as they have less subjects to revise for. It also gives a chance to resit if needed. They begin their gcse courses in year 9.
If they are able to get an 8 or 9 then they are an able student and should be able to do RS in year 10 without it having an impact on their other subjects.

@sleighbob As far as I am aware the grade will not get disregarded at all. It is hardly the choice of the child when they sit the exam. I will ping @poetryandwine who is a former admissions tutor who can clarify.

But I think the key thing here is 11 other subjects suggesting that she is taking 12 GCSEs in total. Most state students take 9. Ds was hot housed for single sciences in year 11 so took 10 in total. Ds1 is in a top 10 uni with a mere 9 GCSEs.

9 GCSEs as standard consists of
English lit,
English lang,
maths,
science which gives you 2 GCSE grades
then 4 options to choose subjects.

If they offer triple science which gives individual grades for each science then that is an option subject choice and gives them 3 remaining options. Language is encouraged as is a humanity, whether History, Geography or Religion, Philosophy and Ethics, that then leaves 2 as standard or just 1 if triple science.

12 subjects seems excessive to me but then I only have experience of state schools. As you mentioned uni, what is the sixth form like? Again you only need 3 A levels and the vast majority of A level students take 3, even for medicine. A very small percentage take 4 and at least half of those are for Further Maths.

Hi, @sleighbob and @Treeofglitter

My belief is always quality over quantity. It may be conditioned by my own experience: I am in STEM at a very good Russell Group university ranked a bit below the COWI group.

I agree that all GCSEs count the same and that for most admissions purposes this is relatively little. I agree that Oxford seems to weigh them more heavily and possibly a couple of other very traditional places.

I also agree that 12 seems a very high number of subjects, if it is indeed correct. Nothing wrong with it, really, but one might ask whether other opportunities for personal and intellectual development are being sacrificed. That might be a small yellow flag for me, as I would prefer to see a young person developing her initiative.