Taking A Levels independently

Has anyone here taken their A levels independently, or know anything about how you would go about it?

Due to personal reasons I had to drop a couple of subjects, and then of those I did take I only managed a couple D’s. I did do some retakes at the time, but due to some problem with “cashing them in” I was never granted the grades.

I’ve now graduated and I’m working full-time and undertaking professional qualifications. However I’m still really bothered about those grades that are on my CV – they’re just not a reflection of my ability at all, and just for myself I’d really like to start my A levels again.

Because I’m working full-time I’d have to take them independently, but I don’t know where to begin. Can anyone advise me on how I go about this, what’s involved etc?

Thanks :smile:

Reply 1

rottcodd

3

I took an AS level independently with the NEC (http://www.nec.ac.uk/info/?usca_p=t). It seems quite expensive, but I found the course very well organised. I did English Literature, and they sent me a massive folder full of teaching materials. I had to send off assignments to a tutor every so often, who usually replied within the week with up to three pages worth of feedback on my essay. Definately recommend it. I think ICS (http://www.icslearn.co.uk/gcse-A-level/) are another fairly large firm that do it.

Reply 2

shell_xx

OP

1

Thanks for the response, that's really useful. :smile:

So how much work did you find you were doing per week for your AS? I currently have no idea how much time it will take per week per subject, so I don't know whether I could just manage the one, or whether I could take more.

And also, does anyone know whether it would be possible to take the exams without having studied with someone like NEC - i.e. study the books yourself and then enter for the exams at a centre, rather than undergo assignments throughout the year?

Reply 3

h82think

14

I also thank you for the information rottcodd :smile:

This year I am doing 2A2s and 1AS, and would really like to next year just do the A2 from the AS independently.

Reply 4

rottcodd

3

shell_xx

Thanks for the response, that's really useful. :smile:

So how much work did you find you were doing per week for your AS? I currently have no idea how much time it will take per week per subject, so I don't know whether I could just manage the one, or whether I could take more.

And also, does anyone know whether it would be possible to take the exams without having studied with someone like NEC - i.e. study the books yourself and then enter for the exams at a centre, rather than undergo assignments throughout the year?

It is possible to study it independently without having to do something with the NEC. You would need to speak to your old school and ask them to enter you as a private candidate - that's what I had to do (the NEC don't organise any of the exams or anything for you, they just literally provide the course materials and a tutor to mark stuff). If you don't want to do it through your own school you can ask any school or examining centre to let you sit the exam as a private candidate. This will cost you (I really can't remember how much as it was ages ago, no more than £40 though). I think if you go on the exam board for the a-level you are taking, there should be a list there somewhere.

As for the workload, it will obviously vary between subjects. I was working fulltime whilst doing the AS and I maybe spent about 3- 4 hours about 4 days a week on it, so really very little. If you go to the NEC website I think they recommend how many hours you should be spending. It's possible to do the entire A-level in the year if you wanted to as well.

Reply 5

michaelyus

10

Find a centre
Find the unit codes for each individual paper, and the certification code
{Arrange identification verification procedures}
{Bring passport / driving license for verification}
Bring UCI on results slips/certificates...or ask the centre to make you one
Pay the fees (£15 per unit minimum, may charge much higher for administration & invigilation)
Organise / find exam timetable online
Also find date for Results Day

Reply 6

Original Legend

that NEC seems very expensive, it isnt worth doing your A Levels on the basis that your "CV looks bad" with those grades, if you have a job, i wouldnt care to much about them. After all when will you need to use your CV again?

Reply 7

shell_xx

OP

1

Well, everytime you look for a new job, such as right now for me. Providing you have alright grades then yes, after university and when you get a job then they are something that isn't very relevant. However, if they are bad grades, then it is still something that crops up time and time again. I know that they won't get me a job, but I'd rather have them there and to have them not help me to get a job, than to not have them there and for me to lose the job because of it, if you get what I mean.

Plus I think it would be nice personally for me to be able to take them properly this time, as I didn't get the proper chance first time round.

I think the NEC option seems pretty expensive, and I work pretty well on my own, so I think I'd rather study it on my own. However, with regards to things like the syllabus etc, without registering with a formal course, do you how would I find these out? Or is it a case of just picking an awarding body and studying their website?!

Thanks for the help by the way rottcodd, + rep to you :smile:

Reply 8

rottcodd

3

That's alright, thankies for the rep :smile:

Yeah just go along to the website of the exam board and they should detail the specification on there - like this one does for OCR, for example: http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/a.html

Good luck with it :biggrin:

Reply 9

shell_xx

OP

1

Thanks!

Now I've just got to decide what to take and when I'm going to realistically be able to take the exams! I’d like to take my AS level Sociology up to A2, and take new A Levels in Business or Economics. Or both. I just don’t know whether to do one at once, or go for a couple and see how I cope!

Reply 10

wonderingturtle

Is it possible to sit a-level music independently? I know it must be difficult with composition, practical and then a couple of exams.

I would really like to do it- I know I can go to university without an A-level in music but it would be handy!

Reply 11

joef1337

1

Is it possible to do A2 computing independently? I'm doing AS computing in sixth form but next year there probably won't be enough staff to run A2 so I'm wondering if I can study it independently, maybe with my friends also in computing, and where would I take the exams and how much it would cost.

Reply 12

Compost

19

Original post by joef1337

Is it possible to do A2 computing independently? I'm doing AS computing in sixth form but next year there probably won't be enough staff to run A2 so I'm wondering if I can study it independently, maybe with my friends also in computing, and where would I take the exams and how much it would cost.

Which exam board? AQA Computing is not open to private candidates. Your best bet would be to try to convince your current school to let you take it with a bit of support as internal candidates.

Reply 13

joef1337

1

Yes it's AQA. One of my teachers said he might be able to answer questions and give advice but not teach my full time. I looked at the specifications and it seems within my grasp, but I'm wondering what will happen about the coursework like who would mark it.

Reply 14

Compost

19

Original post by joef1337

Yes it's AQA. One of my teachers said he might be able to answer questions and give advice but not teach my full time. I looked at the specifications and it seems within my grasp, but I'm wondering what will happen about the coursework like who would mark it.

Your only option would be to persuade your current school to let you sit it there as a centre candidate and for a teacher to mark it there.

Taking A Levels independently

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