GCSE Resits – How can they benefit you?

This week, students up and down the country are beginning to sit their GCSE exams. In 2014, the A*-G pass rate was 98.5%, however, most students are aiming for A*-C grades. These grades are seen as essential to either get into college or to put on a CV, however in 2014, the A*-C pass rate was 68.8%. Many students may feel disappointed with their results, and they have the option to retake the exam to achieve a better grade.

Having qualifications is an important stepping stone for many things, getting onto a college course, getting into university or getting a job or apprenticeship. For most of these options, it is generally recommended that you have at least a C in the core subjects, English, Maths & Science. While subjects like IT and languages are not usually a requirement, they are looked upon favourably by employers as they can help to demonstrate skills that would be useful in a work environment.

Many people end up leaving school without any of these qualifications, or sometimes missing just one or two of the core subjects. This can cause them to encounter problems in life, as most entry level jobs still require evidence of GCSE qualifications. Even if GCSE’s are not listed as requirements for a job, many employers still look for evidence of extended study to demonstrate work ethic in potential employees.

There may be other reasons you wish to study a GCSE course, other than for employment or educational benefits. Many people simply wish to gain an understanding of the subject matter, or want to further their interest in a particular topic, and reinforce this with a recognised qualification. Some people never had the chance to take a traditional GCSE, as they were only introduced in the 1980’s. Before this, students had to sit O Levels before they left school. These qualifications are now considered outdated, and many people wish to refresh their CV and list of skills with the newest style of exam possible. Some parents decide to refresh their knowledge on certain topics before their children, as it allows them to guide their children through their exams more easily.

One option to improve further education or job prospects is to resit the GCSE subjects that are missing from a person’s list of qualifications, however for many this seems like an impossible task. Many people did not achieve GCSE’s initially because they disliked school, or had circumstances that did not allow for regular attendance of classes. Some colleges offer the option to resit GCSE’s, whether on full time courses, part time courses or at night school, however some people may be unable to attend classes to get these skills.

Home learning offers people the chance to retake the qualifications they need, at a time and place that suits them. The courses can be studied over a period of time that suits the learner, they can choose to complete in as long or short a time scale that suits them. As home learning courses feature independent study, they suit people with busy lifestyles, as work can be undertaken at a time that is suitable. It is possible for a student to either study a set amount of hours each day or week, or fit in varying amounts of studying at different times.

At NCC Home Learning we offer a wide range of IGCSE courses, from the core subjects such as Maths, to more specialised subjects such as Travel and Tourism. IGCSE’s are International versions of the traditional GCSE exams, which were established due to the difficulty of students abroad completing coursework and sending it back to the UK to be marked. Students taking the courses in the UK can benefit from this, as they won’t have to sit coursework either. This can save on time for those sitting the course, as they can focus their concentration directly on learning the material for the exams.

The courses are entirely graded through examinations, which must be sat at a Cambridge Board test centre. The exams can only be sat in June and November each year, so it is vital that any student undertaking these courses ensures that they are registered with a test centre with plenty of time before they are due to sit the exam. Local schools and colleges may accept private candidates to sit the exam alongside their students, which may be a helpful option for those taking the course from home. It is important to ensure that each home learning student allows themselves enough time to complete the necessary work prior to the date of the exam. Students are allocated twelve months tutor support from NCC Home Learning, so it is worthwhile starting the course at a time that fits in with the exam.

If you would like to resit a GCSE via home learning, why not take a look at the online GCSE courses NCC Home Learning currently offer?