There are many GCSE equivalent qualifications for maths and English which people take in order to gain entry to University as well as improve their personal status.The key GCSE equivalent qualification for you depends on which course you are planning to do. The following guidelines should help you to determine which qualification is best for you. 

 

These are most commonly taken by prospective trainee teachers wanting to get access onto a training course. The qualifications are recognised by nursing and midwifery courses as well as other courses across the UK.  A Star Equivalency is the leading provider of these exams and also have dedicated course materials to help support your revision. The following are the subjects offered for the GCSE equivalency tests: 

 

Maths equivalency test

English equivalency test

Combined science equivalency test 

Biology equivalency test 

 

For those looking to gain entry into University courses and boost their CV, functional skills level 2 qualifications are usually the most relevant GCSE equivalent. Due to the pandemic, it is now possible to sit an Ofqual regulated exam from the comfort of your own home as long as you have access to a webcam and a computer. The following enable you to revise and book functional skills. 

 

 

Other GCSE equivalents include: 

BTECs (Business and Technology Education Council)

BTEC level 1-2 is a GCSE equivalent that learners can take at college, they focus on vocational subjects  which target specific job sectors and industries with no GCSE equivalents in maths and English.

 

Cambridge Nationals

Cambridge Nationals are comparable to BTECs in that their focus is on vocational subjects aimed at improving employment opportunities in specific sectors. There is no provision for maths and English. 

 

NVQs (National Vocational Qualification)

An NVQ2 is a GCSE equivalent but again is a vocational qualification. They are valued by employers in the specific sectors they are relevant to. They can’t replace a GCSE or functional skills in maths and English and therefore they are supplementary qualifications and you will still require level 2’s.