AQA Mandarin GCSE

My school doesn’t offer GCSE Chinese, but my family speaks Cantonese. I asked to apply for GCSE Cantonese, but the school registered me for Mandarin instead. I’m familiar with Mandarin, so that’s okay, but I’m a bit worried about the writing.

I only know how to write traditional Chinese characters, and I have no experience with simplified Chinese. I’ve been trying to find clear information online, but I’m still unsure — does AQA allow students to write in traditional Chinese for the GCSE Mandarin exam? Will I lose marks or be disqualified for not using simplified characters?

If anyone knows or has taken the exam, please let me know! Thank you so much!

Reply 1

mitzi.stirling

Original post

by Jennn_916

My school doesn’t offer GCSE Chinese, but my family speaks Cantonese. I asked to apply for GCSE Cantonese, but the school registered me for Mandarin instead. I’m familiar with Mandarin, so that’s okay, but I’m a bit worried about the writing.
I only know how to write traditional Chinese characters, and I have no experience with simplified Chinese. I’ve been trying to find clear information online, but I’m still unsure — does AQA allow students to write in traditional Chinese for the GCSE Mandarin exam? Will I lose marks or be disqualified for not using simplified characters?
If anyone knows or has taken the exam, please let me know! Thank you so much!

From what I can see online and from what I know, you can write in traditional - but I'm not entirely sure as I do simplified in school.
Maybe your best bet would be contacting AQA? Theres some contact details on this page under definitions: https://www.aqa.org.uk/terms-and-conditions - but, I don't see why it result in DSQ or deduction of marks, as you are still writing in Mandarin.
However, don't overly worry about it as the (harsh) truth is that you won't be able to learn how to write in simplified in a week. GL on Monday + for your writing.