can i take a gcse externally?
Right now I'm in y9, and will be picking my gcses in december. only problem, my school, like the majority of schools in the uk, only offer 10 GCSE choices: the 3 core subjects (can choose between triple or combined science), a humanity, a language and 2 free options. the gcses i'm going with are triple science, geography, french, design & technology, further math and computing. since my school only lets you take 10 gcses, i'll have to drop computing, but i really really really dont want to bc its my favourite subject. Is it possible to take it externally, either through a course or just booking a place in the exam and studying for it on my own? and is studying for a gcse without a teacher or a tutor, just textbooks and the internet even possible? if i choose to take a subject externally, computing has to be the one, since DT is a practical subject and i'll need proper teaching for further math. and if i do choose to take it externally, will it give me an advantage on uni applications since i went out of my way to take an extra subject? any help would be awesome!
Reply 1
Hi! Yes, you can take GCSE Computer Science externally lots of students do this. You’d need to register with a private exam centre and self-study the content (textbooks plus online resources are fine). It’s definitely doable without a teacher, but it takes discipline. Just note that universities won’t give extra credit for taking more GCSEs than your school allows, so do it only if you genuinely enjoy the subject and can manage the workload.
Reply 2
Original post
by Kuriknowsbest98Hi! Yes, you can take GCSE Computer Science externally lots of students do this. You’d need to register with a private exam centre and self-study the content (textbooks plus online resources are fine). It’s definitely doable without a teacher, but it takes discipline. Just note that universities won’t give extra credit for taking more GCSEs than your school allows, so do it only if you genuinely enjoy the subject and can manage the workload.
thanks for replying! noted that i won't get extra credit, i just do genuinely enjoy the subject, its one of my favourites. i do think i can study for by myself, especially since i have relatives with a computing background who can guide me! do you have any recommendations for private exam boards?
Reply 3
Original post
by only_born_to_diethanks for replying! noted that i won't get extra credit, i just do genuinely enjoy the subject, its one of my favourites. i do think i can study for by myself, especially since i have relatives with a computing background who can guide me! do you have any recommendations for private exam boards?
Glad to hear you enjoy the subject! For GCSE Computer Science, OCR is usually the easiest exam board for private candidates. In terms of exam centres, places like Private Candidates, The Exam House, or local colleges that accept external entries are good options. It’s definitely doable with self-study, especially if you’ve got family who can help guide you along the way. If you share your general area, people might be able to suggest specific centres.
Reply 4
i've heard that ocr computing is more in-depth than aqa, so will probably go with ocr! im in the berkshire county, outskirts of london, but i also think i'd prefer a online course than applying to a local college. thank you so much for the help, i was stressing over this but you've given me peace of mind 
Reply 5
Of course! If you have any further questions feel free to ask or start another thread!
Reply 6
9
My son studied French at home and sat it with all his other exams at school. Maybe ask your school if you could do that ? Good luck.
Three of my kids took CIE IGCSE Computer Science as private candidates, so yes it's perfectly achievable.
Reply 8
Original post
by PinkMobilePhoneThree of my kids took CIE IGCSE Computer Science as private candidates, so yes it's perfectly achievable.
ooh, if you dont mind me asking, what grade did they get and what external organization did they use to sit the exams?
Original post
by only_born_to_dieooh, if you dont mind me asking, what grade did they get and what external organization did they use to sit the exams?
The 12 year old (Year 7) got Grade 7
The 14 year old (Year 10) got Grade 5
The 16 year old (Year 11) got Grade 6.
This was in 2022 so they're 16, 18, and 20 now, respectively.
They studied it together using a self-study course from LearnTec, and then sat the exam together at Tutors and Exams exam centre in Doncaster.
(edited 1 month ago)
Reply 10
u can do this easily! just study for it, book at an exam centre as a private candidate, pay obviously, and sit the exam, note that you have to book the exam centre some time in advanced because slots go quickly
and damn u think 10 gcses is bad? mine only gives 7 (im self studying 2 extra tho)
and damn u think 10 gcses is bad? mine only gives 7 (im self studying 2 extra tho)
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