Seeking Advice on GCSE Equivalency

1

Hi everyone,

I hope you're all doing well. I'm currently looking into applying for a Primary Teacher Training programme in the UK and would really appreciate some advice regarding the GCSE equivalency requirements.

I’m particularly interested in taking the A Star Equivalency tests,especially in Maths and Science. I don't have a strong academic background in these subjects, so I'm a bit nervous about the preparation and the level of difficulty. I was wondering:

Has anyone here taken the A Star Equivalency tests recently? Would you recommend it for someone without a strong foundation in Maths/Science?

For the Science part, is it better to take Combined Science or opt for a single subject (e.g. Biology)? What do most providers prefer?

How long would you recommend preparing before taking the test(s), especially for someone who’s not very confident in the subject?

Do you know if there are any training providers that still accept applications for a September 2025 start? Or should I be aiming for a later intake?

Any insights, experiences, or resources you can share would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you so much in advance 🌟

Reply 1

codie91

3

I’m currently doing the biology equivalency as I need science for my teacher training programme. I have found it really good! Everything is explained very clear and the platform that it is on is easy to use. I like that there are practise questions and small exams at the end of each topic. You can go back and redo them all as well

Reply 2

ElouisaSha

2

Original post

by student0002

Hi everyone,
I hope you're all doing well. I'm currently looking into applying for a Primary Teacher Training programme in the UK and would really appreciate some advice regarding the GCSE equivalency requirements.
I’m particularly interested in taking the A Star Equivalency tests,especially in Maths and Science. I don't have a strong academic background in these subjects, so I'm a bit nervous about the preparation and the level of difficulty. I was wondering:
Has anyone here taken the A Star Equivalency tests recently? Would you recommend it for someone without a strong foundation in Maths/Science?
For the Science part, is it better to take Combined Science or opt for a single subject (e.g. Biology)? What do most providers prefer?
How long would you recommend preparing before taking the test(s), especially for someone who’s not very confident in the subject?
Do you know if there are any training providers that still accept applications for a September 2025 start? Or should I be aiming for a later intake?
Any insights, experiences, or resources you can share would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you so much in advance 🌟

Im currently revising for the maths- also need it for secondary history pgce as my level 2 maths (from back in 2009!) Isn't accepted.
Now, I came to pgce applications late so im cramming all my revision into 4 weeks.
I can't speak for the science only the maths.
It is intense.
Around 96 topics/units i believe on the course if you purchase it. Id recommend the course because its tailored to them and i imagine their test. Im trying to work my way through the topics in order but with 80 left and 20 days to go its a lot. I suppose luckily I can dedicated 6hrs plus to my revision . The practice tests/questions are helpful in each topic id recommend that. You could go through each one and just do practice questions to see what youre knowledge is like but id say working from numbers first makes the most sense (its every thing from prime numbers, factors, multiplication, decimals etc etc) so it'll really help with every other topic as a foundation. If you cant convert % for example that will hinder you later i imagine because tests love to throw in mixed amounts in questions.
Other than that Id really dedicate to it.

Reply 3

student21321

Hi there! I recently just completed my foundation maths equivalency test for PGCE training, and as someone who hasn't even thought about the word maths in over 5 years, I was very anxious when going into all this. I cannot talk on behalf of science, but I did purchase the online foundation math materials (for about £45, I think), and they honestly saved me when it came to the final exam. It is a monthly subscription sort of thing, but I only needed it for the best of 3 weeks, as I've spent the past 3 intensely teaching myself the course and doing mock tests provided on the online platform (there are over 10). I think this is the best way forward, as someone who could only recall the basics of maths. The mock tests, quizzes, and practice exams got me used to answering the questions in the way A Star present them and much like how they would be presented in the real online exam. I hope this was helpful! let me know how you get on if you do end up sitting the exam :smile:

Reply 4

Yas127ahmed

2

Original post

by student21321

Hi there! I recently just completed my foundation maths equivalency test for PGCE training, and as someone who hasn't even thought about the word maths in over 5 years, I was very anxious when going into all this. I cannot talk on behalf of science, but I did purchase the online foundation math materials (for about £45, I think), and they honestly saved me when it came to the final exam. It is a monthly subscription sort of thing, but I only needed it for the best of 3 weeks, as I've spent the past 3 intensely teaching myself the course and doing mock tests provided on the online platform (there are over 10). I think this is the best way forward, as someone who could only recall the basics of maths. The mock tests, quizzes, and practice exams got me used to answering the questions in the way A Star present them and much like how they would be presented in the real online exam. I hope this was helpful! let me know how you get on if you do end up sitting the exam :smile:

Hi I’m sitting the maths exam tomorrow, have you sat the exam? How was it, as in the process, I’ve never sat an online test before

Seeking Advice on GCSE Equivalency

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