What examination board choices are there for GCSEs, IGCSEs, AS and A Levels?
There are several accredited examination boards that offer GCSEs, IGCSEs, AS and A Levels.
These include:
AQA – Assessment and Qualifications Alliance
CAIE – Cambridge Assessment International Examinations
Pearson Edexcel – Part of the Pearson Company
OCR – Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations
WJEC - Welsh Joint Education Committee
Not all examination boards offer the full range of examinations, and not all examinations are offered in the UK and the USA. This website focuses on CAIE, AQA and Pearson Edexcel because the author has greater knowledge and experiences with the syllabuses, specifications and examinations from these boards.
These include:
AQA – Assessment and Qualifications Alliance
CAIE – Cambridge Assessment International Examinations
Pearson Edexcel – Part of the Pearson Company
OCR – Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations
WJEC - Welsh Joint Education Committee
Not all examination boards offer the full range of examinations, and not all examinations are offered in the UK and the USA. This website focuses on CAIE, AQA and Pearson Edexcel because the author has greater knowledge and experiences with the syllabuses, specifications and examinations from these boards.
Which examination boards offer GCSEs, IGCSEs, AS and A Levels in the UK?
In the UK, all five awarding examination boards (AQA, CAIE, Pearson Edexcel, OCR, and WJEC) offer AS and A Levels, in various subjects. If you go to the individual websites for each examination board, you should find specific information for private candidates which include subjects that are available.
IGCSEs and International GCSEs are preferred by private candidates as the assessment is usually 100% examination-based, rather than non-exam assessments (NEAs). Where some subjects have practical exam papers, there are usually exam papers that are ‘Alternative to Practicals’. As long as you have done enough practical work on your own, and you understand the rules, skills and methods of completing practical elements of your subject, you should not be disadvantaged by doing the ‘Alternative to Practicals’ element of the IGCSE examination.
Not all examination boards offer IGCSEs or International GCSEs, but instead offer GCSEs. These GCSEs can have coursework-based elements (NEAs), which are an essential part of the final examination mark. Private candidates have to make sure that they can complete the coursework under strict conditions at a Registered Examination Centre. For this reason, GCSEs are not as easy to access for final qualifications. If your intention is to complete the subjects you choose with examinations that lead to qualifications, IGCSEs may be the better choice for private candidates.
To check the subjects offered by each examination board, go to their websites at:
IGCSEs and International GCSEs are preferred by private candidates as the assessment is usually 100% examination-based, rather than non-exam assessments (NEAs). Where some subjects have practical exam papers, there are usually exam papers that are ‘Alternative to Practicals’. As long as you have done enough practical work on your own, and you understand the rules, skills and methods of completing practical elements of your subject, you should not be disadvantaged by doing the ‘Alternative to Practicals’ element of the IGCSE examination.
Not all examination boards offer IGCSEs or International GCSEs, but instead offer GCSEs. These GCSEs can have coursework-based elements (NEAs), which are an essential part of the final examination mark. Private candidates have to make sure that they can complete the coursework under strict conditions at a Registered Examination Centre. For this reason, GCSEs are not as easy to access for final qualifications. If your intention is to complete the subjects you choose with examinations that lead to qualifications, IGCSEs may be the better choice for private candidates.
To check the subjects offered by each examination board, go to their websites at:
AQA
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects
CAIE
https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/
Pearson Edexcel
http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/subjects.html
OCR
http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/by-subject/
WJEC
https://www.wjec.co.uk/qualifications/
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects
CAIE
https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/
Pearson Edexcel
http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/subjects.html
OCR
http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/by-subject/
WJEC
https://www.wjec.co.uk/qualifications/
Which examination boards offer GCSEs, IGCSEs, AS and A Levels in the USA?
Although I have been told that Pearson Edexcel offer examinations in the USA, I have had great difficulty finding an examination centre that will accept private candidates. If I get updated information specifically for Pearson Edexcel private candidates, I will add it as soon as possible.
So, as far as I know, only CAIE offers IGCSEs, AS and A Levels in the USA at this time. There are a growing number of CAIE Registered Exam Centres in the USA, especially in Florida where the Department of Education sensibly allowed CAIE to offer their internationally accredited examinations in schools from 1995 onwards.
To find registered examination centres in the USA, use the following link:
http://www.cie.org.uk/i-want-to/find-a-cambridge-school/
So, as far as I know, only CAIE offers IGCSEs, AS and A Levels in the USA at this time. There are a growing number of CAIE Registered Exam Centres in the USA, especially in Florida where the Department of Education sensibly allowed CAIE to offer their internationally accredited examinations in schools from 1995 onwards.
To find registered examination centres in the USA, use the following link:
http://www.cie.org.uk/i-want-to/find-a-cambridge-school/
Which examination boards allow private candidates to sit exams
All examination boards mentioned in this website allow private candidates to sit examinations in the UK, though the subjects and examination types will vary with the different boards. So check each website specifically, and fully understand the requirements and responsibilities of private candidates.
Note that only CAIE allows private candidates to sit their examinations at CAIE Registered Centres in the USA.
The websites to go to for further information are:
Note that only CAIE allows private candidates to sit their examinations at CAIE Registered Centres in the USA.
The websites to go to for further information are:
AQA
http://www.aqa.org.uk/student-support/private-candidates
CAIE
http://www.cie.org.uk/cambridge-for/learners-and-parents/exams-and-certificates/private-candidates/
Pearson Edexcel
qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/support-topics/registrations-and-entries/academic-registrations-and-entries/private-candidates/entry-procedure-for-private-candidates.html
OCR
https://www.ocr.org.uk/students/private-candidates/
WJEC
https://www.wjec.co.uk/home/student-support/private-candidates/
http://www.aqa.org.uk/student-support/private-candidates
CAIE
http://www.cie.org.uk/cambridge-for/learners-and-parents/exams-and-certificates/private-candidates/
Pearson Edexcel
qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/support-topics/registrations-and-entries/academic-registrations-and-entries/private-candidates/entry-procedure-for-private-candidates.html
OCR
https://www.ocr.org.uk/students/private-candidates/
WJEC
https://www.wjec.co.uk/home/student-support/private-candidates/
What subjects are offered by each examination board?
Each of the examination boards offers a variety of subjects for study. For the most current information, it is best to go to the individual website and look for the subjects that you are interested in. If you check the subject syllabus, or specification material, it is usually clearly stated as being available or not available for private candidates.
Otherwise, depending on the examination type, go to the following pages:
GCSEs and IGCSEs
AS and A Levels
Otherwise, depending on the examination type, go to the following pages:
GCSEs and IGCSEs
AS and A Levels
Where can private candidates sit examinations?
This is really important. Before you choose the subjects that you want to study, or the examination board’s syllabus or specification that you want to follow, find a Registered Examination Centre. You only need to find an examination centre if you want internationally recognised qualifications at the end of your period of study.
If you need to complete the subject by taking examinations, it is best to:
1. Research the subject specifications or syllabuses to find the best fit for you;
2. Find out if the examination board offers the chosen subjects to private candidates;
3. Find a Registered Examination Centre that will accept you as a private candidate to sit the examinations.
A private candidate can only take examinations in a Registered Examination Centre, and not all registered centres accept private candidates. In fact, no registered centre has to take private candidates, as it can create extra administrative work or disruption to the school even for a limited time.
So, it is worth realising that school or college individuals who allow private candidates to sit examinations can also close the doors. It is your responsibility to communicate effectively with, and have respect for, the examination officer who will spend considerable time and effort accommodating private candidates.
If there are questions or issues to deal with, try to resolve them as quickly as possible with the examination officer at the particular Registered Examination Centre. The examining boards are not able to communicate directly with private candidates.
If you can, try to speak with someone who has been through the examination process at the particular examination centre that you hope will accept you or your private candidate. If you belong to a local home education support group, ask someone who has successfully accessed an examination centre for guidance,
If you are still unsure how to proceed, please contact me for further guidance.
If you need to complete the subject by taking examinations, it is best to:
1. Research the subject specifications or syllabuses to find the best fit for you;
2. Find out if the examination board offers the chosen subjects to private candidates;
3. Find a Registered Examination Centre that will accept you as a private candidate to sit the examinations.
A private candidate can only take examinations in a Registered Examination Centre, and not all registered centres accept private candidates. In fact, no registered centre has to take private candidates, as it can create extra administrative work or disruption to the school even for a limited time.
So, it is worth realising that school or college individuals who allow private candidates to sit examinations can also close the doors. It is your responsibility to communicate effectively with, and have respect for, the examination officer who will spend considerable time and effort accommodating private candidates.
If there are questions or issues to deal with, try to resolve them as quickly as possible with the examination officer at the particular Registered Examination Centre. The examining boards are not able to communicate directly with private candidates.
If you can, try to speak with someone who has been through the examination process at the particular examination centre that you hope will accept you or your private candidate. If you belong to a local home education support group, ask someone who has successfully accessed an examination centre for guidance,
If you are still unsure how to proceed, please contact me for further guidance.
Websites need to be checked often to make sure they are still relevant and the links are still active. All websites were checked and updated: April, 2021.