GCSE Grade A* ~ C to include Math and English

laganuk

This essential criterion is popping up more and more nowadays. Now it would appear to me that, on the face of it, this may be age discrimination, be it indirectly if no equivalents are acceptable for the time before GCSEs, for those persons above a certain age; but, what if the candidate is young enough to have sat GCSEs but for was not suited to them and gained equivalents through BTEC, 1st and national diploma; then went on to get a degree then postgrad?

This problem relates to me where the employer did not accept my equivalents, nor higher degrees nor relevant experience where it was stated preference may be given. Further another educational body states that: O level or GCSE or equvalent or higher which would indicate best practice.

As i appreciate the law and justice are not always mutually inclusive have any bloggers here got good arguments for my plight?

laganuk

Edit Title: FIVE GSCEs.....

charlie-chan

Well if you don't have GCSEs then you can fill that box in with equivalent qualifications if you have them.

When you write your cover letter or statement of application, you can say "I do not have GCSE Grade A* - C in English and Maths, however, I gained a Level 2 in the relevant key skills on my BTEC."

As I studied my AVCE back in 2003-2005, we did key skills as well to gain an equivalent if our GCSE grades were below par.

If they didn't accept your qualifications then apply elsewhere. It is their loss.

Jarndyce

Not really. Seems fairly straightforward - the qualifications you mention are not universally seen as equivalent to GCSEs, and you admit that you were 'not suited' to GCSEs (whatever that means). If the employer wants GCSEs and you did not sit them because you were 'not suited' then it seems fairly clear that you are 'not suited' for the job in the employer's eyes.

Clearly, as you have gone on to gain higher level qualifications, you must have at some point overcome your unsuitability, and I'm sure you have pointed this out to the employer, but if they still think you are not suited for the role then no amount of arguing to the contrary is likely to change their minds, and you are better off looking elsewhere.

SarEl

laganuk wrote: »

This essential criterion is popping up more and more nowadays. Now it would appear to me that, on the face of it, this may be age discrimination, be it indirectly if no equivalents are acceptable for the time before GCSEs, for those persons above a certain age; but, what if the candidate is young enough to have sat GCSEs but for was not suited to them and gained equivalents through BTEC, 1st and national diploma; then went on to get a degree then postgrad?

This problem relates to me where the employer did not accept my equivalents, nor higher degrees nor relevant experience where it was stated preference may be given. Further another educational body states that: O level or GCSE or equvalent or higher which would indicate best practice.

As i appreciate the law and justice are not always mutually inclusive have any bloggers here got good arguments for my plight?

Is this a theoretical question or do takeaway delivery people need a lot of GCSE's?

Oldernotwiser

laganuk wrote: »

This essential criterion is popping up more and more nowadays. Now it would appear to me that, on the face of it, this may be age discrimination, be it indirectly if no equivalents are acceptable for the time before GCSEs, for those persons above a certain age; but, what if the candidate is young enough to have sat GCSEs but for was not suited to them and gained equivalents through BTEC, 1st and national diploma; then went on to get a degree then postgrad?

This problem relates to me where the employer did not accept my equivalents, nor higher degrees nor relevant experience where it was stated preference may be given. Further another educational body states that: O level or GCSE or equvalent or higher which would indicate best practice.

As i appreciate the law and justice are not always mutually inclusive have any bloggers here got good arguments for my plight?

Many people with higher level qualifications have to return to education to fill some of the gaps in their earlier qualifications. It's quite common, for example, for graduates of humanities subjects to have to delay training to teach until they can get the requisite grade for GCSE Maths.

tomjonesrules

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Many people with higher level qualifications have to return to education to fill some of the gaps in their earlier qualifications. It's quite common, for example, for graduates of humanities subjects to have to delay training to teach until they can get the requisite grade for GCSE Maths.

There are plenty of examples on MSE where graduates need some basic training in English language also!

Badger_Lady

If it really is an issue, and you're capable of holding the qualification, is it not just possible to sit the exams now?

t0rt0ise

It's not age discrimination because employers always accept my O level English and Maths as equivalents.

claire16c

If you have a degree and postgrad qualification it would be unlikely that you didnt have 5 gcses! Its not exactly hard to get 5 of them at A*-C. Most unis require them for entry anyway. And if you are older then they would accept O levels. So I dont see the problem.

marywooyeah

I had to retake my gcse maths at college, 1 yr alongside alongside my a levels and it wasnt hard - I'm sure you could find an evening class or something to gain the qualification.

If I saw "5 gcses a-c" I personally would read "or equivalent" on the end myself as I think most would, perhaps that particular employer was just very linear in terms of their entrance criteria.