Private Candidates GCSE / A Level 2020. What should you be doing?

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Private Candidates GCSE / A Level 2020. What should you be doing?
The system has somewhat overlooked you guys, the private candidates this year. The rules say schools can give you assessed grades, if they can give it to the same level of confidence as a student within the school. However I just can't envisage many situations like this.
In this video I go over the rules that OFQUAL have laid out as well as a few potential routes you can go down from here. Please do let me know you thoughts in the comments as this is a topic I have less first hand experience with and it would be great to understand about more about your situation from you.
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Hi I’m Ran and I run this KZbin channel called Beyond the Blackboard on how to “live your best life” at GCSE / A level time and beyond. It’s been 10 years since I left school and I’ve crammed a lot in that time. I want to share what I’ve learned in my time as a Science teacher, working across many industries and travelling the world. To help you with questions like “how do I get top grades?”, “what I do after school?”, even “who do I want to be? If that sounds interesting subscribe to keep up with weekly vids and please do comment any topics you’d like me to cover :)

[@zoeevans946]

Great video ! Very helpful for private candidates:)

[@mn8935]

Can you please explain what exactly private A level candidates are? Is it when students study independently at home and at the end of their 2 years of study they take their A levels examination? I love your videos btw~ new sub💗

[@erenisnothere379]

Hi, can i ask a question(i really try to find any online forum or page about this but still can't) As a private candidate, if, let's say, i already get my A level grade because i sit the exam from last year and wait a year to apply to ucas. Do i still need a predicted grade? Because it's seem like a column that you have to fill out in your application. But i'm also not THAT sure how to complete ucas application(as i'm actually finishing my igcse this nov and hasn't go through the ucas application in detailed yet) I don't think my test centre(british council in my country) will give me predicted grade. They are not school and they know nothing about me more than that i register through them(i don't think they even have teachers, only staffs and invigilators) And just to point out, i'm doing cie. and with my igcse i don't have any predicted grade at all. Cie even say you don't need it if you're a private candidate. But when i look at the ucas website itself it says you need a predicted grade( or you have to contact the uni.) but what if i already have my final results? Predicted grade shouldn't matter then. Or am i just over thinking and i can absolutely use my final results(if i'm willing to wait)and don't have to worry about any predicted grade? Thanks (i'm sorry this is so long)

[@foziamasood9472]

Plz guide for practical paper for science subjects for private students

[@hibaasifkhan4636]

If we are not able to register online in the normal stage of registration of Alevel exams may/june 2021 and register in the late stage what will be the extra charges on the original fee of A2

[@fatymaayo]

Does it matter if i give 1 exam from school and 2 as a private candidate ir should i sit in all exams as a private candidate

[@nayabafzal3539]

Hey.I have a question...Can we do A2 private..after doing As in college?

[@marouataali3523]

I’m looking to re sit science GCSE because I need this for the course I’m applying for. I am planning to take a gap year and take the exam however I’m not sure how to do this. I have looked online and it hasn’t been much help especially with the pandemic going on. How do I apply to be able to re sit an exam? Any help or advice would be so helpful.

[@her4393]

Can you help me?

[@leahcampbell8278]

if youre studying as a private candidate when adding the qualification to UCAS application how do you put it in? do u put it in with the school ur doing the exam with?

[@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984]

Hey Leah. Yes I would have thought so ie. the “exam centre” that are facilitating your exam process. But not 100% on this level of detail of the application so I’d recommend ringing ucas directly!

[@tanjinaaltaf7410]

Hi, I am sitting my GCSE exam next summer as a private candidate, obviously if it goes ahead. I took psychology, sociology and RE all are AQA based. I am wanting to buy textbooks could you please tell me which books should I get? As there are too many AQA books so I am confused.

[@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984]

Hey Tanjina. So sorry for the slow reply. So I was a science teacher so could only recommend science books. I love CPG but they are revision guides and wouldn’t recommend for the main textbook! Can you find out what people at your local school is using?

[@venuskogane5466]

I can't sit the ones in october-november for IGCSEs. I really need to get into college in September...

[@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984]

I hear you Venus. Lots of students a in a similar boat. I’m hoping there will be more leniency on grades this year!

[@armannarimanyan9581]

Hello. Could you pleast say me, can private candidate get A level award ? For example top in the country Thanks

[@kimamira7179]

I'm an IGCSE private candidate and I planned to sit for the exams in October-November. I've no idea what the British council in my country is planning to do , cause whenever I email them they'd say that we can't give you any information due to the goverment ristrictions and the pandemic crisis. I'm so stressed, sitting at home for a while made me really lazy, I can't work as I used to. I teach myself using online resources, and I dunno if can wrap up all the topics in the 7 subjects that I take in these three months. >_

[@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984]

Ah I’m really sorry to hear the Kim. That sounds really tough. Have you seen this video laying out how I would be working from home right now? kzbin.info/www/bejne/poK3hZWMaLpsrtE

[@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984]

And do you know for sure you’ll be taking your exams October / November?

[@kimamira7179]

@@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984 Unfortunately I'm not 100% sure as the exams my be cancelled, but I"m studying anyways cause there might be changes, and the British Council would email me anytime and say that the exams are still on, so I have to study. And thank you for replying ,I'll check the video out now.

[@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984]

That sounds incredibly unhelpful of the council. But it sounds like you’re doing exactly the right thing. It may be hard to focus when you’re not 100% sure if something will happen but dig deep and keep going! Worst case scenario is exams don’t happen and you’ve just made yourself a heck of a lot smarter 😁

[@kacy-mariesutton4994]

Hi, I wanna go to uni in 2022. I started A-levels independently this September. If I sit the AS exams in summer 2021, can I use these grades in the UCAS form for 'predicted grades'? So confused.

[@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984]

Hey K. It’s a really good question and one I couldn’t find a clear answer too. I’d recommend ringing UCAS directly (I may do the same). Sorry not to be more help!

[@kacy-mariesutton4994]

@@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984 thank you, I'll get in touch with them and find out :)

[@elizabethmcnamara6548]

They should have more schools and colleges for Adults that have decent courses available and not a crappy Hairdressing level 2 BTEC! Ugh! (Not that hairdressing is bad or anything!) They just seem to make it harder for private candidates!

[@keepsmiling6937]

Hi thanks for the video, i wanted to ask if i can do gcse triple science privately i have already done them once but am not happy with the predicted grades so i want to retake is that possible

[@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984]

Hey there. Yes you will be able to. You can take an a level / gcse exam at any stage in life should you choose too. Just make sure to plan the extra work load you will have with your other studies. And speak to your school / have a look online on logistics. Here’s a starter for 10 www.online-learning-college.com/news/booking-gcses-as-a-private-candidate/

[@keepsmiling6937]

@@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984 Thank you ☺️

[@khadebakhadeba2517]

Would you like to tell about o level from uk

[@binayraj1178]

Hi which is exam board is good for GCSE AQA or edexcel ?

[@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984]

Hey Binay. Really hard to say as they’re much of a muchness but vary from subject to subject. I taught AQA so have an affiliation with them and like them for science specifically. But as i say for most subjects there really won’t be a lot in it I would imagine

[@asiapalacz6204]

Hi! Do you think that doing Biology and Chemistry A levels in one year as a private candidate would be possible? I would have one year and a private tutor. What do you think?

[@asiapalacz6204]

If anyone is interested in doing it in one year: I decided to do it in 1 year and a half. First half I am doing while still finishing my old A levels so I am doing it after school and I have tutors on the weekends. They said that It should be absolutely fine and they had some students like this. Next year I am taking a gap year and I will have more time to study and then I just go to London to do my exam and practicals in March also in London. Good luck to anyone interested c:

[@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984]

Hey Asia. So sorry for my slow reply. I’m much more active on tik tok @beyondtheblackboard atm. But yes I think if you have commitment and the right support that is possible. But a big challenge!

[@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984]

Let me know if you’d like support in terms of tutors as well as I run a tutoring agency of PGCE qualified schoolteacher tutors called Beyond the Blackboard tutors :) as part of the package you’d have me on call for support for study coaching and career advice

[@asiapalacz6204]

@@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984 Thanks for the reply! I will go and follow you on tiktok then haha I will think about it :DD So far it is going well B))

[@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984]

@@asiapalacz6204 great! And sorry got my handle wrong. It’s @beyond_the_blackboard (and another called @daily_science_questions - if you wanted to brush up on some basics)

[@juliyasunny8057]

I’m a private candidate and I am so stressed about sitting my a level exams in October as there’s little time for me to revise. Could u give me some tips to organise my revision?

[@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984]

Yes absolutely. You’re the third person to ask this so I’m going to begin to make a series on videos on this

[@AG-ql1sy]

@@brandonantony995 do you know if there’s any changes to the exams? And have u entered with a school of college yet?

[@cricketanalysis4966]

How to apply private

[@berryxeditss]

I want to be a private candidate but I'm confused can you please guide me

[@berryxeditss]

@@cricketanalysis4966 and do we have to take the practical exams? I'm so confused

[@mubasharkayani1088]

I’m a private candidate im giving my As exams next month, so i need an advice if i get C’s in Business and accounting and get a U in Economics can i still get into a uni like a mediocre one, and if so how should i apply for it since I’m residing in Hong Kong and would like to study in England

[@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984]

Hey there. You definitely could get into a uni with a C but it may not be a top ranking one. I’m not clued up on the international transfer policies for unis I’m afraid. But I’d start by making a list of unis you’re interested in / are appropriate for your grade. Then ring them up to find out the process. I would assume you’d still go through UCAS

[@mubasharkayani1088]

Yes please do, since im not very sure of what to do and if i am private what should i do and how shall i send my application via UCAS aren’t there any predicted grades needed

[@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984]

Mubashar Kayani id say it’s unlikely you need predicted grades as a private candidate. I’d register in UCAS to see your opinions and ring up the admittions department of some unis. They all will have different requirements

[@mubasharkayani1088]

BEYOND THE BLACKBOARD- A LEVEL / GCSE advice yes please do, thank you for your help could you check up on UCAS and let me know

[@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984]

No problem Mubashar. I think there’s a misunderstanding. I’m saying you’re going to have to do a bit of detective work yourself. I’ve given you two starting places to help :)

[@serena86549]

Hello, so i was comtemplating whether to be a private candidate or study another year at a level?

[@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984]

Ohh tough. Is that because you’re not sure how schools will cope next year?

[@serena86549]

BEYOND THE BLACKBOARD- A LEVEL / GCSE advice Well i guess its because im not too sure which one is best for me, if i was to go back and get bad predicted grades, its not beneficial to me at all. Along side to if i was a private candidate, then the admissions tutors won’t know if im improving or anything? Sorry, i feel like im asking this question but at the same time don’t know the pros and cons of each.

[@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984]

Yes is see. How have you found working from home during this time? Has that given you a taste of what it would be like for 2 years? And until we know what next year looks like in terms of grading and how the predicted grades come out we won’t know. But remember if you’re a hard working student with good grades you’d likely be predicted a high grade (if that were in place)

[@serena86549]

BEYOND THE BLACKBOARD- A LEVEL / GCSE advice Im going to resit the exams in autumn, ive been studying as well as working. And yeah, i dont feel as productive at home as if i was in school. Also, previously, i wasnt high achieving and that was shown throughout my scores in mini exams. But now im really determined to get good grades, so hopefully if i go back to sixth form, they can see that ive changed my mindset and give me better references.

[@trenchkidm1092]

How do I do my English gcse privately

[@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984]

You need to find an exam centre that will take you on. Here’s a list of some: www.aqa.org.uk/student-and-parent-support/private-candidates/finding-a-school-or-college

[@yxngahmed3]

I'm a private candidate who is couldn't get a calculated grade this summer and is planning to take my GCSE'S in the Autumn. But I still have to start College in September but this time I've asked my exam centre if I can take a mock exam like at the end of July or 1st of August so my College at least have some form of information to basically use as a "temporary" GCSE grade at the moment until I'm actually taking my actual GCSE exam in November. So can you please give me some advice on what to do about this situation and maybe some revision tips as I find it really hard to stay organised all the time and I usually want to get in at least 3 hours if revision a day but I usually do only 1 hour or 2 and I want to be fully prepared for my mock exam next month

[@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984]

Hey Bossman. Well done for organising the mock! The best advice I can give is from the 6R method a few weeks ago so have a watch of that. What’s the main thing that’s stopping you working right now?

[@yxngahmed3]

@@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984 it's just that I'm getting distracted too often

[@Pedro-tf8uz]

BEYOND THE BLACKBOARD- A LEVEL / GCSE advice I’m not sure if you are who I think you are but were you a science teacher at Deptford green School in the UK because my name is Pedro and I was at your science class I don’t know if you remember me if you do please let me know I love your videos.

[@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984]

Of course I remember you Pedro!!!! How’s life? Are you waiting for you A level results atm? Or was that last year? I’ve lost track of time.

[@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984]

Yeah it’s tough. Remember you’re not alone. Also another thing I’d try is the Pomodoro technique which is essentially switch off your phone for 25min intervals, focus study only, 5 min break. Then same again. Then longer break after the hour. This stops your brain from getting tired. I’ll be making a vid on this soon too

[@rabailriaz9001]

Hello sir i want to.ask you i am new in uk i didn't do gcse so i don't know anything about their education system i wait 2 year at home and when i apply in any school they said no avaliable seat. So when i turn 16 they said know she have to apply for collage. So they said she can't take bio and chemistry so.i start health and social care. Know someone told me you can do gcse from home and privately and give exam. I.wanna ask you what is diffrence between foundation tier and Higher tier i really don't understand and this is my choice which i choose and tell me which is best please.

[@NickhealJ]

Foundation limits your grade to a maximum of 5 (between C and B grade). Higher tier test is more difficult (Most people do higher tier if they want to do A levels). Higher tier test maximum grade is a 9 (A*) and lowest grade is 6 (B) unless you fail the test. Most people do a minimum of 9 GCSE subjects

[@rabailriaz9001]

@@NickhealJ if i do foundation tier can i take bio and chemistry for a level?

[@NickhealJ]

@@rabailriaz9001 nah, grade would be too low as max grade is a C and you need at least a B

[@rabailriaz9001]

@@NickhealJ and sir please tell me i am doi g privately so which is better igcse or gcse. Actually i jave no one who tell me so i am asking to you.

[@NickhealJ]

@@rabailriaz9001 I'm not sure of the difference but I don't think think they're much different from each other. I'd check online tho just to be sure

[@adelekenafeesat5800]

Hello, thank you for this video. I’m an immigrant and really confused. I’m in the uk right now and I need to have an high school qualification to get a university degree. I’m not sure if I should do GCSE or A levels. I’m also unsure, how many subjects will be necessary to get you to the university. What subjects can I pass to get a bachelor’s degree in Data Science or Information Technology? Please can you explain these to me? How long will I study for before sitting for the exam? Thank you.

[@Charlotte-zi1fd]

since no one replied to your comment here are the answers: - GCSEs come before a levels - 3 full A levels for university and maybe 1 AS (Half an a level) - I'd suggest maths as one of your choices but you can look up what the degree requirements are - 2 years for A levels - If you are struggling to get into university, I'd suggest doing a foundation degree (which is one extra year on top of the three) I hope this helps at least a little bit.

[@adelekenafeesat5800]

@@Charlotte-zi1fd thank you

[@psxinformation]

What is age limit for A level exam?

[@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984]

I believe you can take them at any age :)

[@kimamira7179]

I'm an IGCSE private candidate and I planned to sit for the exams in October-November. I've no idea what the British council in my country is planning up to, cause whenever I email them they'd say that we can't give you any information due to the goverment ristrictions and the pandemic crisis. I'm so stressed, sitting at home for a while made me really lazy, I can't work as I used to. I teach myself using online resources, and I dunno if can wrap up all the topics in the 7 subjects that I take in these three months. >_

[@beyondtheblackboard-alevel8984]

Hey Kim. Really sorry I only just saw this. Do you have anymore information now?