The Student Room Group

GCSE Russian as a private candidate?

I've been learning Russian on my own for a while and am hoping to take GCSE Russian (EdExcel 1241) next summer as a private candidate. Problem is, I'm having difficulty finding somewhere to sit the exam. I don't mind travelling outside my area (West Midlands). I've already contacted a couple of centres that run GCSE courses but they said they can't accept private candidates. I just tried writing to the exam board, but while I'm waiting for them to get back to me I thought I'd try asking here.

Has anyone done this exam as a private candidate - if so, where? Failing that, does anyone know of schools/colleges/adult ed centres that are running courses at the moment so I can try asking them?

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Reply 1
Update: looks like I've finally managed to find a centre - problem solved!
Reply 2
I'm glad you have managed to get this sorted out.
Reply 3
Best of luck with your GCSE!
Reply 4
:woo: Goood luck Aelred. Pleased that you have found a centre or else I could have suggested one that does all subjects, all boards. Do you know where I can find past papers for the 1241-course. I have only been able to find June 2007 on the Edexel site.:woo:
Reply 5
Aelred
I've been learning Russian on my own for a while and am hoping to take GCSE Russian (EdExcel 1241) next summer as a private candidate. Problem is, I'm having difficulty finding somewhere to sit the exam. I don't mind travelling outside my area (West Midlands). I've already contacted a couple of centres that run GCSE courses but they said they can't accept private candidates. I just tried writing to the exam board, but while I'm waiting for them to get back to me I thought I'd try asking here.

Has anyone done this exam as a private candidate - if so, where? Failing that, does anyone know of schools/colleges/adult ed centres that are running courses at the moment so I can try asking them?


Ah well, im no private candidate (im in Year 11) but my school is definately open to private candidates (ive seen them myself in the GCSEs i sat in Yr10). I also have a couple of mates who are doing GCSE Russian with Edexcel so my centre can definately fit you in, that is, if you don't mind travelling to Wrexham (East Wales).
Reply 6
Aelred
Update: looks like I've finally managed to find a centre - problem solved!


It seems to be more difficult than I thought to find a centre because of the oral component. Do you mind telling me which centre solved your problem?
Reply 7
Owl_492
It seems to be more difficult than I thought to find a centre because of the oral component. Do you mind telling me which centre solved your problem?


I've sent you a message with the details.
Reply 8
Owl_492
:woo: Goood luck Aelred. Pleased that you have found a centre or else I could have suggested one that does all subjects, all boards. Do you know where I can find past papers for the 1241-course. I have only been able to find June 2007 on the Edexel site.:woo:


Thanks! I don't know where to get past papers from, sorry. Edexcel seem to be quite mean with their past papers, for some reason. Anyway, the ones I saw on their website look pretty easy compared with other modern languages, and the vocab list is way shorter.
Hi there - I need help finding somewhere that accepts private candidates for GCSEs. I'm in the Midlands and had to take my two sons to Bristol last year to take their exams. My younger son is taking his GCSEs this year (they are all home educated) and I'm finding the same problem again. If you know of anywhere accepting candidates (that isn't in Bristol!) please let me know! thanks for your help! Mandy
Reply 10
MandyIllusion
Hi there - I need help finding somewhere that accepts private candidates for GCSEs. I'm in the Midlands and had to take my two sons to Bristol last year to take their exams. My younger son is taking his GCSEs this year (they are all home educated) and I'm finding the same problem again. If you know of anywhere accepting candidates (that isn't in Bristol!) please let me know! thanks for your help! Mandy


Hi Mandy, I've sent you a private message about this.
http://web.aqa.org.uk/admin/p_private.php

Anyone who is taking GCSEs as a Private Candidate in future may find the above list useful. It provides details for all the centres who have indicated that they may be willing to accept external students during the 2009 / 2010 academic year.
Reply 12
purplebanana
http://web.aqa.org.uk/admin/p_private.php

Anyone who is taking GCSEs as a Private Candidate in future may find the above list useful. It provides details for all the centres who have indicated that they may be willing to accept external students during the 2009 / 2010 academic year.


That list is for AQA, which doesn't offer GCSE Russian (only Edexcel does).
Yes, I am aware that only Edexcel offers GCSE Russian, but I intended to provide the list for more general use. On reflection, I don't think this was as clear as it might have been.

Therefore, just to clarify for the benefit of anyone who is interested in this subject, the following is the list for Edexcel:

http://www.edexcel.com/iwantto/Pages/private.aspx

Obviously, these are only intended as a guide, but I hope this helps to clear up the confusion. Many thanks for pointing this out.
Reply 14
Can someone PM me any details of test centres that take external candidates in the West Midlands for both GCSE or A-levels. I have rung around 50 today (ear is sore) so if anyone can help that would be amazing.
Reply 15
hey aelred well done for sorting it out. i also took the gcse russian edexcel paper and was wondering how you found it? i thought the writing was a killer!
hope results go well for you on tues
Reply 16
izzyl
hey aelred well done for sorting it out. i also took the gcse russian edexcel paper and was wondering how you found it? i thought the writing was a killer!
hope results go well for you on tues


Hi Izzyl, it went well thanks - got an A*. For me it was the speaking that was the toughest part, but at least I managed to keep talking instead of drying up as I usually do! I remember the writing questions being a bit uninspiring, but luckily I was able to think up a story. Hope you got the result you wanted, all the best!
Hey, sorry I know that you started this post a year ago, but I am still having trouble finding a centre to do to Russian too, do you know of any near the north-east? I don't mind traveling, but it would just be so much easier. Anyway, thanks :smile:
I'm down in the southwest of England. Does anyone know where I can take the Russian GCSE as a private candidate.
Reply 19
Sorry to crash the thread but do any of you have advice for Russian revision? Learning orals + revision for writing especially. My mocks are this week and I'm really worried!