D grade GCSE and jobs

safesound

I have various vocational qualifications (NVQ level 2, ECDL etc) but I didn't really take high school seriously so I only achieved a D in six GCSE subjects. I'm not currently looking to change jobs but I was wondering if I were are all equivalencey courses the same or are some considered better than others?

Fonz_2

It probably depends how old you are - I can't see GCSE grades being relevant to anyone past the age of 23-24?

bristol_pilot

I was asked for my school exam grades at an interview when I was 35.

tsimehC

Quite a few vacancies ask for GCSEs including Maths and English to be a minimum of C but not all of them. I remember my sister having this issue (she had a D in Maths) but the employer still took her on. The job itself wasn't that maths-driven though.

custardy

i would have though your qualifications achieved after would negate most of the negatives of the D's

safesound

I agree, a person should realise that an NVQ is better than a GCSE (just ) but when they are sieving CV/application forms for key words (ie, four GCSE's at C or above) and they see grade D's instead wouldn't that be 'not meeting the criteria' regardless of the other qualifications?

KiKi

It depends upon the type of role. Many require grades C in Maths and English. However, if you have qualifications which are relevant to the type of job you do, employers are much more likely to focus on that.

If your NVQs are relevant to your role, then I wouldn't worry about it too much. I don't know how old you are, but if you have a number of years of work experience which can back up your ability, then that's also going to be more important than GCSE grades.

I hope that helps.


KiKi

sweetstudent

custardy wrote: »

i would have though your qualifications achieved after would negate most of the negatives of the D's

You would be surprised, i am dyslexic, got an E in English, but a 2:1 (Hons) degree i have been rejected on the case of GCSE results! The armed forces only go on GCSE results and they told me it wouldn't even matter if i had a masters degree, i would only be able to go in on a lower rank

All i can recommend is you could go to college and retake your GCSEs again, although i found my English GCSE far harder than my dissertation - although i did get a B :j

bristol_pilot

yes I agree - if you don't have at least a C in Maths and English it is worth re-taking them

TEDDYRUKSPIN

safesound wrote: »

I have various vocational qualifications (NVQ level 2, ECDL etc) but I didn't really take high school seriously so I only achieved a D in six GCSE subjects. I'm not currently looking to change jobs but I was wondering if I were are all equivalencey courses the same or are some considered better than others?

As of all the above, this depends on the job role you would like to enter.

High professional jobs, now require english and maths at C or above. After that, they will then look at A-levels / professional qualifications / degree etc. But... work experience will top this either way.

Just to tell you or give you advice. Many colleges are now offering free GCSE's, for people who have maths or english below C - or who want to improve the grade. Have a look at your local college.

Fluffi

bristol_pilot wrote: »

I was asked for my school exam grades at an interview when I was 35.

I also know employers that will ask people with a good degree from a good Uni and 10+ years relevant experience about their A-Level and GCSE grades. If its possible to sit GCSEs again rather than doing an "equilavalent" qualification, then I would do that as not everyone fully understands or trusts qualifications other than GCSEs or A-Levels.