GCSE Exam boards

[Brijesh]

Hello, we will be putting down our choice of schools soon in the CAF, therefore your guidance will be invaluable.

Should the decision to pick a school be based on which GCSE Exam Board they use – AQA, OCR, Pearson (Edexcel), WJEC Eduqas

Can one school use different boards for different subjects?

Having read some articles over the internet it seems that there is quite a difference in grade boundaries between these exam boards so does one rank higher over another from Oxbridge’s perspective?

Thanks!

[hermanmunster]

I would be conscious that schools can change which exam boards they use and yes also use different boards for different exams

[Brijesh]

I would be conscious that schools can change which exam boards they use and yes also use different boards for different exams

so basically not worry about it...?

[hermanmunster]

I wouldn't make it a key thing in choosing a school

[Tinkers]

My DDs school used all four of those, and I think at least one subject changed board from her starting to her choosing what gcses she was taking, so honestly I wouldn’t even think of looking at that when choosing a school.

The school will likely choose whatever board suits them best for a teaching perspective.

[Aethel]

a lot of schools mix and match/alter the exam boards based on how they think the curriculum is suited for each subject.

So I’d focus much more on the ethos of the school, pastoral care, gifted and talented type options, exttacurricular and SEN support. If the school suits your child they will achieve well.

[Golden]

DSc school use AQA, Edexcel and OCR, English lit is Edexcel but English language is AQA! they both started as AQA but I think lit was changed when he was in year 9?

Yes grade boundaries are wildly different between boards but a grade 8 scoring say 130 on one board is still comparable to a grade 8 scoring 150 with a different exam board, Does that make sense?

As far as Oxbridge is concerned an 8 is an 8, a 9 is a 9, no matter the exam board

All Unis want to know is what grade you got they're not interested in the exam board

I don't think it matters at all