[capricasix]

Well, I'm 29 years old and finally decided to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor, - basically from scratch. Some of my GCSE's back in the day were pretty cack - including a D (!) in science GCSE. I've had a look into doing a foundation/access to medicine course but I'd have to wait until next year's application cycle, and would prefer to take something more of the national standard - hence, A-level Maths, Physics, Biology, Chemistry. In anticipation of this, I've completely taught myself double Science GCSE from scratch. I'm now thinking, it would be pretty sweet to have a certificate reflecting that work and wondered if I could sit those GCSE papers sometime this summer? Wondered if anyone had some idea about that? Many thanks.

[SteveDawson]

Well I wouldn't be able to answer your question regarding this. Are you an external candidate using an exam centre to take each of the exams. I do admire your determination to peruse your dream and I wish you the best of luck in the future

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9100

[capricasix]

Thank you SD!! I'll be looking to take those GCSE's as an external candidate, yes, though all going well, I'll return to college to begin those A-levels in September as a full time student.

[capricasix]

Done some more research and managed to answer most of my own questions. For anyone in a similar boat, AQA has a listing of approved private candidate centres. http://store.aqa.org.uk/admin/librar...ND-CENTRES.PDF

I'll give my local one a bell tomorrow.

[ThrashMetal]

Hey.

I'm in a similar situation, I'm 23 years old (just) and have always wanted to do something in Doctoring or medicine, but I went to a really bad school and got a range of D and lower grades, only did well in Science at B/B and French at B. I've just re-sat my Maths and English and I'm predicted at least B in both and I've been accepted at my local college to do A Level Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics. I'm looking forward to it a lot and even more excited about going more into human healthcare at University.

The only thing I'm worried about is when you "declare everything" on your Uni application, I'm not sure they'll be a huge fan of me only having 5~ GCSE's at C or above even if I do get AAA at A level.

[capricasix]

(Original post by ThrashMetal)
Hey.

I'm in a similar situation, I'm 23 years old (just) and have always wanted to do something in Doctoring or medicine, but I went to a really bad school and got a range of D and lower grades, only did well in Science at B/B and French at B. I've just re-sat my Maths and English and I'm predicted at least B in both and I've been accepted at my local college to do A Level Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics. I'm looking forward to it a lot and even more excited about going more into human healthcare at University.

The only thing I'm worried about is when you "declare everything" on your Uni application, I'm not sure they'll be a huge fan of me only having 5~ GCSE's at C or above even if I do get AAA at A level.

Heey. Nice to hear from someone on the same ship and good on you! My GCSE's were 1A, 3B's, 3C's and a couple D's. Not exactly glowing, though I had a range of issues at scool I won't go into - and like you, went to a fairly poor school. My understanding is, that at mature level, Universities rarely take GCSE's into account. I've read accounts of students on Access to Medicine courses who have no GCSE's at all. I haven't had my interview with local college yet, I'm concerned that I won't be accepted due to my poor Science GCSE, - though I'm hoping they'll at least take into account a 2.1 LLB law degree :P Look forward to hearing about your progress!!

[ThrashMetal]

(Original post by capricasix)
Heey. Nice to hear from someone on the same ship and good on you! My GCSE's were 1A, 3B's, 3C's and a couple D's. Not exactly glowing, though I had a range of issues at scool I won't go into - and like you, went to a fairly poor school. My understanding is, that at mature level, Universities rarely take GCSE's into account. I've read accounts of students on Access to Medicine courses who have no GCSE's at all. I haven't had my interview with local college yet, I'm concerned that I won't be accepted due to my poor Science GCSE, - though I'm hoping they'll at least take into account a 2.1 LLB law degree :P Look forward to hearing about your progress!!

I'll be wanting to apply straight to Uni after my A Levels and a bit of volunteer work so I doubt I'll be doing that access thing. I was considering doing an access course but I saw an advisor and she suggested I take the "normal" route if I was willing to wait (3 years but I've just finished 1) so I took her advice and did that. I really do hope they have an understanding for cases like us, I'll be pretty upset and ashamed of myself if I do get an AAA and get rejected due to my earlier life.

[c3ntury]

(Original post by capricasix)
Well, I'm 29 years old and finally decided to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor, - basically from scratch. Some of my GCSE's back in the day were pretty cack - including a D (!) in science GCSE. I've had a look into doing a foundation/access to medicine course but I'd have to wait until next year's application cycle, and would prefer to take something more of the national standard - hence, A-level Maths, Physics, Biology, Chemistry. In anticipation of this, I've completely taught myself double Science GCSE from scratch. I'm now thinking, it would be pretty sweet to have a certificate reflecting that work and wondered if I could sit those GCSE papers sometime this summer? Wondered if anyone had some idea about that? Many thanks.

I've got huge respect for you in going all the way back to secondary school.

The best of luck to you, and keep us all updated eh?

[gdunne42]

(Original post by capricasix)
Well, I'm 29 years old and finally decided to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor, - basically from scratch. Some of my GCSE's back in the day were pretty cack - including a D (!) in science GCSE. I've had a look into doing a foundation/access to medicine course but I'd have to wait until next year's application cycle, and would prefer to take something more of the national standard - hence, A-level Maths, Physics, Biology, Chemistry. In anticipation of this, I've completely taught myself double Science GCSE from scratch. I'm now thinking, it would be pretty sweet to have a certificate reflecting that work and wondered if I could sit those GCSE papers sometime this summer? Wondered if anyone had some idea about that? Many thanks.

1. You won't be able to take the exams during the summer, there are specific points in the year when GCSE exams are set. The timetable is here
http://www.education.gov.uk/comptimetable/
2. GCSE science exams are modular (though this is changing), school students take the exams at various times through the course. You'll find it hard to find a centre offering all of the exams you want when you want them
3. GCSE sciences include controlled assessments of practical activity, it's hard to do this as a private candidate as schools don't want the hassle.

In short, if you want to gain a GCSE level qualification for your science studies you might want to look at doing an IGCSE or Certificate - assessment is by exam at the end of the course.
E.g.
http://www.edexcel.com/quals/igcse/i...s/default.aspx
http://www.edexcel.com/quals/igcse/e...s/default.aspx
State schools cannot offer the IGCSE but many private schools do and may accept you as a private candidate for exams in either Jan or Summer. The Certificate is exactly the same qualification but a limited number are now approved for UK state schools (not sure how many places you'll find offering them in summer 2013).