GCSE resits if over 5 years old

RE: GCSE resits if over 5 years old

PSA-David — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 13:33:40 GMT

this is all new to me on retaking previous exams.

but saying that if you relate it to every exam. at least I get to go back to uni and take my finals again!

RE: GCSE resits if over 5 years old

SharonSP — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 22:30:26 GMT

The issue here is not the VN qualification as GCSEs don't expire as such, you can complete the qualification with O levels, degree etc, the issue is which award you are taking. If completing an apprenticeship, then funding requirements MAY stipulate the qualifications be within a certain time frame as is the case here. If you follow the non apprentice route, then no government assistance is available and the college fees sky rocket.

Unfortunately the Learn Direct maths course is a top up certificate and not a stand alone qualification. Different funding organisations require different things.

RE: GCSE resits if over 5 years old

Crazy Cat Lady — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 17:21:57 GMT

It used to be the case that GCSEs would expire after 5 years but, as I understand, the government scrapped this requirement earlier this year (cf http://feweek.co.uk/2015/02/23/government-scraps-deterrent-apprentice-rule/) so there's no official need for you to resit anything. The college may have their own internal policy in this regard but they should really have made this clear at the start of the course and also should be clear that it is their own policy not an official requirement. I'd definitely keep pushing for proper clarification on this!

Hope this helps - Where are you studying out of interest?

Best of luck x

RE: GCSE resits if over 5 years old

Heather Bacon — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 16:50:22 GMT

At the beginning of my course I had to complete a maths and english test to see what level I was at, as it was over 5 years since doing GSCEs. Anyone who got a lower level had to do extra functional skills through the course I think. A bit ridiculous that they have only told you now! Can you speak to your college to clear it up?

RE: GCSE resits if over 5 years old

Tania Ford — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 15:27:04 GMT

I had to undertake English and Maths as my qualifications were over 25 years old! I was told at the time that if they were 5 years or older, they had to be re taken. I wouldnt worry too much though as they are really easy and dont take very long to complete. Mine were provided by the college at no extra charge. They are just multi choice online exams and if the college is happy when you do the mock ones, you can be put in straight away for them. They are just level 2 functional skills, so not really that hard at all. Good luck!

RE: GCSE resits if over 5 years old

Mark Hedberg — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 15:11:20 GMT

Hi Cindi! If you need maths and english qualifications, Functional Skills Maths and Functional Skills English (usually has to be level 2) is normally acceptable in lieu of the relevant GSCEs - and much cheaper than resitting GSCEs. Check with your training college to make sure they accept this.

CAW offers them online (City & Guilds accredited), but of course other Functional Skills providers are available - as long as they're accredited by an awarding body, they should be acceptable. (Disclosure: I work for CAW.)

Good luck,
Mark