Primrose Kitten
Can my child still sit GCSEs and A-Levels if they are home-educated?
How do we go about registering them for exams?
Yes, your child can sit GCSEs and A-Levels as a home-educated student. Many home-educated children complete these exams each year, often performing well due to the personalised nature of their learning. However, the process is a bit different from that of children in mainstream schools, and it's essential to understand how to manage this independently.
Registering for GCSEs and A-levels as a Private Candidate
Home-educated students are considered private candidates, meaning they must sit their exams at an approved exam centre since they are not attached to a school that automatically handles exam entries
Choosing the Right Exam Board
Different exam boards in the UK offer GCSEs, such as AQA, Edexcel (Pearson), OCR, and WJEC in Wales (Eduqas in England). There are also international exam boards as options, such as Edexcel (they have different specifications for international exams), Oxford-AQA, and Cambridge. Each exam board sets its own syllabus for each subject, so you must decide which board to register with for each exam your child takes. We’ve done a detailed analysis of the best exam boards for home-education by subject.
The choice of exam board will depend on the following:
The subjects your child wants to study, this might also come down to the contents of the subjects, e.g. the periods in history or the texts in English
Availability of exam centres that offer the relevant exam board in your area. Do you want your child to sit all their exams in the same palace, or are you willing to travel around a lot to find centers that offer precisely what you are looking for?
Preferences for assessment methods (some exam boards might have more coursework, while others may rely more on final exams).
Finding an Exam Centre
As a private candidate, your child must sit their exams at an exam centre that accepts external candidates. Many independent schools, further education (FE) colleges, and some private exam centres allow home-educated students to register for GCSEs and A-Levels.
Start by contacting local exam centres to determine if they accommodate private candidates.
You can also check the exam boards' websites, as they often provide lists of exam centres in your region that accept private candidates.
Make sure to confirm that the centre offers the specific subjects and exam board your child has studied, as not all centres offer the full range of subjects.
Registering for the Exams
Once you've chosen an exam centre, you must register your child as a private candidate. Registration typically opens in the autumn and closes by January for exams taken in the summer. The process involves filling out forms and paying fees for each subject your child will take.
It's advisable to contact exam centres well in advance of the deadline, as places can be limited. Some centres may require you to register months ahead, so starting the process early will help ensure everything runs smoothly.
Each subject has a fee, which usually ranges from £100 to £200 per subject, depending on the exam centre and the subject.
Handling Practical and Coursework-Based Subjects
Suppose your child is taking GCSEs in subjects with a practical component (such as Art, Design and Technology, or Science) or requires coursework (such as English Language or History). In that case, you will need to ensure that the exam centre is equipped to handle these assessments. If this is a concern for you, look at the international exam boards, as they tend not to have these requirements.
Some centres may offer help with coursework moderation, while others may not. It's often recommended to check with the centre early on for practical subjects to understand their requirements and ensure they can facilitate the necessary assessments.
For science GCSEs and A-Levels, you may need to arrange for your child to take the exam in a centre that offers practical science assessments or opt for international versions, which may provide written assessments in place of practicals for private candidates.
Exam Day Preparation
Once registered, your child will sit their exams at the exam centre on the specified dates, just like school-based students. Ensure you know the exam timetables, and confirm with the exam centre when and where your child needs to be. The centre will also provide details on exam regulations and any special arrangements if your child has particular needs (e.g., extra time for SEN students).
International GCSE and A-Levels: An Alternative
Many home-educating families opt for the International qualifications (IGCSE and IA-Level) instead of the traditional GCSEs and A-Levels. Many exam boards offer international specifications, including AQA (as Oxford-AQA), Edexcel (Edexcel International) and Cambridge (Cambridge International Education, CIE), and are designed to be more flexible for private candidates. They don't have coursework requirements for many subjects, which can make them more manageable for home-educated students who do not have access to school-based resources like coursework moderation or science labs for practicals. These are widely recognised by universities and employers so that they can be an excellent alternative to traditional GCSEs or A-Levels.
Key Tips for Success
Start Early: Research and contact exam centres as early as possible, ideally a year before your child plans to sit their exam. This will give you enough time to find the right centre, choose exam boards, and gather the necessary information.
Stay Organised: Keep track of exam registration deadlines, fees, and subject requirements. The organisation is critical to ensuring a smooth experience.
Flexibility with Timing: As a home-educated student, your child has the flexibility to sit their qualifications when they are ready. While most students take their exams at age 16 or 18, your child can sit them earlier or later if it suits their pace of learning.