Sitting exams as an external candidate

mrbrightside842

Hi!

I'm wanting to do an A level course, and teach myself the subject using the internet, books etc, but will need somewhere to sit the exams and to mark the assessments. Has anyone done this before? Or know anything about it, or how much it costs?

Thanks!

Justicia

I believe that it's very possible, in theory.

However, In the area of the industry that I work/train/teach in, there are issues with finding a provider (college or private) - many are so focused on their pass rates, that an external candidate is seen as a threat...

There is someone that I think will have some further advice from a FE perspective; I am sure that he will see your thread when next online and advise

the-mango

all exams boards have tjis http://www.aqa.org.uk/exams-administration/entries/private-candidates you have to finda centre to let you sit it in their space

mrbrightside842

Thanks! I think I have a centre where I can do the exams, I'm just not sure if it's them who mark the coursework or if I have to send it off. It looks to be around £70 according to that useful link, thanks.

saintjammyswine

Your exam papers will be dealt with in the same way as all the rest whether it is marked at the centre and verified by the awarding body or simply sent off for marking. The only difference is who pays for it.

Kayalana99

mrbrightside842 wrote: »

Thanks! I think I have a centre where I can do the exams, I'm just not sure if it's them who mark the coursework or if I have to send it off. It looks to be around £70 according to that useful link, thanks.

Thats just it, someone correct me if I am wrong but you can book your own exams but you don't have a tutor to mark your C/w...

Thier are some exams you can do without C/W like Maths for example.

Its worth looking into exams before you even start studying as I think it was biology (it was one of the 3 sciences anyway) and maths a friend did and he had no problem getting the maths exam but gave up trying to do Biology as he tried every exam place and they all turned him down.

From that link about C/w

Method of study

There are two ways to submit the coursework units that are linked to these qualifications:

1. when you attend an AQA-approved school or college that will supervise, authenticate and assess (mark) your centre assessed work
2. if the subject specification allows it, we will mark the coursework when it would normally be marked by a school or college.

Authentication

If you are following Method of study 1, you do not need to nominate an authenticator as the teacher at the school or college will authenticate your work.
For Method of study 2, you need to nominate an authenticator for each component/unit that you are submitting new coursework for. The authenticator is usually your tutor or teacher who is in regular contact with you, and who has supervised enough of your coursework material to be able to confirm that the work is your own. A relative cannot act as your authenticator.