How do I choose the right exam board for my child?
Choosing the right exam board for your child's exam is essential, as each board offers slightly different content, exam formats, and assessment methods. The main exam boards in the UK are AQA, Edexcel (Pearson), OCR, and WJEC (WJEC in Wales and Eduqas in England). While all of these boards are regulated and offer qualifications of equal value, there are differences in how they approach certain subjects. The choice of exam board can depend on several factors, including the learning style of your child, availability at exam centres, and the specific content or structure of the exams.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Exam Board...
Subject Availability
Not all exam boards offer the same subjects, especially for more specialised courses like specific languages, vocational qualifications, or creative subjects. Depending on your child's subject choices, the first step is to check which exam boards offer the subjects they want to take. This can help narrow down your options. For example, only AQA and OCR offer a GCSE in Psychology, and AQA is the only exam board that offers A-Level Environmental Science.
Syllabus and Content
Although the core content for GCSE subjects is similar across all exam boards, the specific topics, the depth of study, and the emphasis on certain areas may differ. Some exam boards focus more on certain aspects of a subject than others, which can make a difference depending on your child's strengths or interests.
It's worth comparing the specifications for each subject on the websites of different exam boards to see which one best aligns with your child's preferred interests.
Assessment Methods
The structure of exams and assessments varies across exam boards. Some subjects have more emphasis on written exams, while others might include a significant coursework element. Consider which format will suit your child's learning style and strengths. Look at some past exam papers and compare the style of questions; some will work better for your child than others. For example, AQA A-Level biology has a big 25-mark essay question on paper 3, whereas OCR A-Level biology has multiple choice questions instead of the essay. Edexcel has a GCSE English specification explicitly aimed at home-educated students, with only one exam to sit.
Coursework vs. Exam-Only Options
Some students may perform better in a mix of coursework and exams, while others may excel in exam-only assessments. Different exam boards take varied approaches to coursework, with some subjects allowing or requiring coursework as part of the final grade. Handling coursework can sometimes be challenging for home-educated students if your chosen exam centre cannot facilitate coursework or practical assessments.
Many home educators prefer international exams. These often provide an exam-only option in many subjects, which removes the need for coursework altogether.
Exam Centre Availability
An important practical consideration is which exam centres in your area offer exams for private candidates and which exam boards they work with. Not all centres provide the full range of exam boards or subjects. Some centres may only work with one or two boards, which could influence your decision. You need to decide if you want to use multiple exam centers to get the exact set of courses that you want.
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