Warning! Rant ahead!

Gingernutty

Pupnik wrote: »

Sorry to hear that - a foundation means you can't get higher than a C no matter how well you do, right?

Exactly right.

Pupnik wrote: »

Seems like a waste of time although I suppose it is all practice but it must be very disheartening.

It is. Very.

Pupnik wrote: »

I'm really surprised that it is so hard to find somewhere to retake a GCSE, I would have thought there would be loads of people in similar positions as you!

One would have thought that, but no.

There was a fight to fill the class and most of my classmates (most of them are fully grown adults) are taking the exam for the first time - they're not re-taking and some of them have had little or no experience of exams at all.

Making me feel even more like a complete freak.....:(

marybelle01

GothicStirling wrote: »

I would be appalled if they let you on any degree without GCSE English.

Seriously? How many applications have you seen from graduates these days? I would be amazed if some of them passed "Janet and John"

Savvy_Sue

Gingernutty, I know you may not see this but I wanted to wish you good luck for your exam tomorrow, and for the next one. And I'm sorry to hear about your Dad too.

However, even though you feel like it's a waste of time, get yourself in there and do your damnedest to get that C grade. I know it doesn't get you where you really want to be, but treat it as a stepping stone. Get the C, and then see if you can go for the Higher course next January.

Elvisia

Just a thought although a bit late - if you need help with the higher paper have you thought about a few sessions with a private tutor? I teach English privately and because I have done this for GCSE and ALevel quite a few times now I can pretty much sit down with a student and go through past papers and tell them what they will need to answer, so it doesn't take very long (and is therefore cheaper for the student). I think doing it one-on-one can be very rewarding and a much faster way to learn.

Some tutors can be quite cheap, prices per hour really vary.

Hope it all goes well, and well done for going back and doing it!

Sambucus_Nigra

Pupnik wrote: »

This really surprises me, when I worked as a programme administrator in a teacher training department of a university it was very common to get all kinds of examinations from all over the world and different points in time. It was easy to work out the common ones but sometimes there would be unusual ones and it was down to the discretion of the university. In your case one of the tutors running the training would have written a formal letter saying they accept your other qualifications instead of a GCSE and it would go on file with your certificates. If there was ever any doubt there was a very quick exam to take which would test people's abilities and passing it would do instead of a GCSE. Perhaps things are stricter now but this was only 3 years ago. It seems absurd to limit requirements to specific generations who happened to have 'normal' GCSEs.

This was 3 years ago! All 3 universities I applied to would not let me on, even after sending detailed information about my degree and being told they were going to put my case forward and 'not to worry'. I would suggest that an A level in English and a Degree in English would do instead of a GCSE English but apparently the box not being ticked was not enough for them.

Gingernutty

Well....I took both the exams.

Many of my fellow candidates either failed to show up, were being sick in the toilets and for the first paper, one candidate was crying at the desk.

!!!!!!!

The first question of the first paper really, really said "measure the line and mark the middle with an arrow" :huh:

After the second exam, we were all given a small card like a wage slip - we have to tear it open and we get the login details for the Edexel site so that we can register for our results - none of that "we'll give you a date and you show up at the college" stuff.

If I don't get a C, I don't know what I'll do.

princessdon

you can do an element of the Access course (HEFD or HEFC). They are level 3 (GCSE is level 2) in Maths. It is often called "applied numeracy" or similar but trumps the level 2.

You can take 1 module only.

Gingernutty

princessdon wrote: »

you can do an element of the Access course (HEFD or HEFC). They are level 3 (GCSE is level 2) in Maths. It is often called "applied numeracy" or similar but trumps the level 2.

You can take 1 module only.

Nope. The specified qualification is a GCSE Mathematics Grade B or above. Absolutely no equivalents are allowed (read the rest of the thread - most enlightening).

I've wasted an academic year and over £300 for a useless qualification.

I'm so miserable it's untrue.

dawyldthing

mind you if you get the c it will prove that you can get the c and will help for the following year. Have you tried other colleges? As I know around here (mid Derbyshire) theres about 5 colleges within half an hour bus ride, all evening classes, which might be helpful and put you forwards for the higher paper next year

Jinks_65

Hope you get the grade you want If not, or you want a higher level, have you considered doing it by distance - you can take any time with some institutions. Also perhaps ask at local schools if they have any facilities for candidates?

I am currently on work placement in a community college and the funding situation is dreadful - basically they have to ensure the courses on will attract and retain students and also they will pass - why GCSE lower papers are offered. I am also aware that the Literacy/Numeracy Level 2's are not going to be counted as acceptable equivalencies for the GCSEs - after years saying they are! NVQ 2s, often offered at schools, are not going to be counted as 4 (?) GCSEs either - I guess some places will find them acceptable though. Then again Level 2 Lit/Num are there to show you have a functional standard of either required in general society/jobs - they are not following 5 years of secondary education - totally different ballgame but wish the gov't would make its mind up! We have already lost students who have found their employers are no longer going to accept the Level 1's or 2's
The quals game is a joke - although I have a not too old English degree I have been told I don't match criteria requiring English GCSE as my 'O' Level is out of date! I am currently doing a p/t PGCE and before Xmas had to complete Lit and Numeracy Level 2 test to show my competence - I have O Levels in both, Maths Level 4 and English 'A' level and degree qualifications. However, I do understand that it is judged that any qual over 5 years old can be considered outdated - I have a student doing Level 2 Literacy as she passed GCSE 8 years ago and this is unacceptable for the college course she wishes to do.
Then again - beware of being over-qualified! Best plan I think is to make sure you're between 16 and 19!