If you do not hold the required A to C GCSE grades to meet the minimum entry requirement for the course you are interested in, you can take a GCSE equivalence test through the University of Brighton. A pass in the test is equivalent to a GCSE grade C for the purpose of meeting course entry requirements.
- About GCSE equivalence tests
- Cost
- Booking your test
- Preparation
- Taking the test
- Alternative options
- Overseas qualifications
- Lost GCSE certificates
- Contact
About GCSE equivalence tests
We offer the following GCSE equivalence tests:
- English Language (2 hours) - based on the current AQA higher level English Language GCSE syllabus.
- Mathematics (2.5 hours) - based on a combination of calculator and non-calculator questions from the current AQA higher level Mathematics GCSE syllabus.
- Science (2.5 hours) - based on the current AQA higher level Biology, Chemistry and Physics questions.
Please note that GCSE equivalence tests do not count as a qualification in their own right.
Cost
University of Brighton equivalency tests cost £50 each. Payment is made via cheque or postal order when applying to take the test.
Booking your test
You can book your place on a test by requesting an application form from March onwards. Email your name and postal address to twm@brighton.ac.uk.
Please note that if you are applying to any other university (other than University of Sussex) you will need to check that they accept GCSE equivalence tests from the University of Brighton.
Preparation
The University of Brighton does not provide any tuition for these tests. You will either need to study independently or pay for a private tutor. It may also be worth considering an adult education GCSE course, either online or at a local college, particularly if you feel you need assistance to help you pass.
We recommend the following resources to help you study:
- BBC GCSE Bitesize revision website
- Past GCSE papers free of charge from the AQA website
- Any recently published GCSE revision guide book.
Taking the test
The tests take place in both March and July on our Falmer campus. Applicants will be advised of the exact location. The test length varies, maths and science are 2.5 hours and English is 2 hours. The questions are not multiple choice and are based on full AQA exam papers. They are taken under exam conditions.
Disability
If you have a disability that may affect your exam performance you may be eligible for extra exam time. If you can provide a photocopy of written evidence of your condition made by a professional assessor, we will consider whether you will be eligible for an extra 25% test time.
Results
We aim to provide your results within one week of the test. The pass rates are:
- English Language: 57%
- Maths: 50%
- Science: 40%
If you fail the test, we will only allow you to retake the test if your result is within 5% of the pass mark. Otherwise you can re-sit the test as many times as necessary with Equivalency Testing.
Alternative options
Equivalency Testing
The University of Brighton is a partner of Equivalency Testing who offer equivalence tests with optional tutor support and a large range of test dates. Their tests are accepted for entry onto University of Brighton courses, but are not valid as full GCSE qualifications.
ICS Learn
ICS Learn offers a full GCSE home-study course with tutor support which is accredited by the AQA exam board and is highly recommended if you want to achieve a GCSE qualification.
Equivalence tests at other universities
The University of Brighton does not accept equivalence tests taken at other universities. Our equivalence tests are accepted by the University of Sussex, but you will need to check with other universities if they accept an equivalency test from the University of Brighton.
Overseas qualifications
We may accept your overseas qualification as an equivalent to a GCSE. To find out whether your qualification can be translated to an English equivalent, contact NARIC through their website www.naric.org.uk.
Lost GCSE certificates
If you have lost or misplaced your original GCSE/O-level certificates, you can try the following :
- Contact the school at which you took the exams and ask if they have a record of your result.
- If your school does not have a record of your result, they may be able to tell you which exam board you took the exam with. You can contact the exam board directly to see if they can reprint your results.
- If you cannot obtain your certificates, you will need to take the equivalence test or retake a GCSE.
