Functional skills, BTEC’s, GCSE equivalency tests and NVQs are some of the GCSE equivalent qualifications. These qualifications have increased since Universities require maths and English GCSE or equivalent qualifications to apply and employers prefer people who have them.
GCSE equivalency tests and functional skills are the most popular two GCSE equivalent qualifications. Depending on what you need the qualification for, depends on what one is the right exam for you. If you require a GCSE equivalent qualification to gain access to a teacher training course then GCSE equivalency tests are the best qualification for you. They provide exams in science, English and maths. Functional skills level 2 is the GCSE equivalent qualification. The level 2 is the last level out of the 5 levels in this qualification. You can take the functional skills course if you meet the government’s criteria, for example being 19 or younger, then you will get funding from the course and take it in college. Unfortunately, the funding from the government doesn’t apply to anyone over 19 so you will have to fund the course and sign up to the course as an independent learner.
Even though there are many GCSE equivalents, the full GCSE exams is the greatest qualification out of them all but the hardest to sit since you only have two opportunities during the year unlike functional skills which you can sit at any time during the year and you can resit the exam many times. If you need a tutor to prepare you for the GCSE equivalent exams, Liverpool Tutor Company offers one to one sessions and MME offers materials in all GCSE equivalent exams. MME also can book your online functional skills exam but if you would feel more comfortable taking the paper exam in the nearby testing centre, then MME can also book that exam.