Leeds Trinity University

GCSE Equivalency Exams

Thank you for your interest in the Leeds Trinity University GCSE Equivalency exams. You will find all of the information youneed detailed in this booklet. Please read through this materialcarefully before contacting the University. If, after reading, youstill have questions, we have provided a list of useful contacts

on the final page.

What is the Leeds Trinity GCSE Equivalency?Leeds Trinity University offers the opportunity to sit GCSE Equivalency examinations to all candidates with firm offers on PGCE Primary and PGCE Secondary routes, who do not have (or cannot provide proof of) the required qualifications. As the exams offered are GCSE Equivalency, the results can only be used to progress onto programmes at Leeds Trinity University.

What equivalency exams can I sit at Leeds Trinity University?You can sit the following exams:

• GCSE Equivalency English Language• GCSE Equivalency Mathematics• GCSE Equivalency Biology

Depending on your current qualifications, you may need to take one, two, or all three of the exams. This may have already been specified in the conditions of your offer. If you are unsure as to which GCSE Equivalency tests are needed, or if your current qualifications are indeed suitable, please contact Admissions at admissions@leedstrinity.ac.uk or on 0113 283 7123.

What happens if I fail the exam?If you fail the exam, you will be offered one resit opportunity. This is in accordance with University regulations.

It has been a while since I have sat this type of exam, is there any support available?Yes, currently we offer some revision support for the GCSE Equivalency English Language and the GCSE Equivalency Mathematics. This support is provided by academic advisers at the Learning Hub, the University’s academic skills support department. Unfortunately, we currently cannot provide support for GCSE Equivalency Biology; however, we can point you in the direction of useful self-study materials. You will be offered one hour of revision support per exam (for the first opportunity only) you need to sit. This support will take place ahead of the scheduled exams and is included in the fee.

We recommend that you begin revising the materials available to you well in advance of your support session to allow you to focus on particular areas you need more help with. The session will not cover teaching the subject, think of it as more of a trouble shooting session than a taught session.

What should I revise before taking the exam?Please find a breakdown of information by subject in the following table.

Subject Length of test

Foundation/Higher Tier

Exam structure/Content and additional information regarding materials plus links to the awarding body exam resources (exam papers, mark schemes and specifications)

English Language

2 hours 30 minutes

This exam is based on the Common Tier English paper

The paper is split into two sections - reading and writing.

Reading SkillsIdentify information from the text (comprehension and information retrieval skills)Identify how the writer has used language to create meaning and effects.Identify how the writer has structured the piece to interest, engage, inform etc.Formulate an argument either in agreement or in defiance of.

To help prepare for this paper you may wish to: Practise annotating texts, highlighting the structure, language features and literary devices used as well as meaning, both obvious and implied. Revise literary devices and their effects such as simile, metaphor, personification, alliteration, pathetic fallacy, onomatopoeia etc. Revise structural features used in fiction texts.

Writing SkillsDescribing from prompts and writing to inform, persuade, argue or explain are areas of importance in the writing skills. To help prepare for this paper you should: Read a wide range of descriptive, informative, persuasive texts. Revise the features of writing to: inform, persuade, argue, describe and explain and how to apply them to your own writing. Practise writing using a visual prompt.

AQA Exam resources https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-language-8700/assessment-resources

Dictionary NOT allowed

Subject Length of test

Foundation/Higher Tier

Exam structure/Content and additional information regarding materials plus links to the awarding body exam resources (exam papers, mark schemes and specifications)

Mathematics 2 hours 30 minutes

This exam is based on the Higher Tier Maths paper

The paper is based on the AQA syllabus and includes the following:Number, Algebra through graphs, equations and sequences, Ratio and proportion, Geometry, Probability and Statistics.

AQA exam resources https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/ mathematics/gcse/mathematics-8300/ assessment-resources

Calculator NOT allowed

Biology 2 hours This exam is based on the Higher Tier Biology paper

The examination paper will test your ability to:Demonstrate and apply knowledge and understanding, apply of: scientific ideas, techniques and procedures related with the topic areas below. Questions on the paper will also require analysis information and ideas to: interpret and evaluate; make judgements and draw conclusions; develop and improve experimental procedures.The topics to be examined are Cell Biology, Organisation, Infection and response, Bioenergetics, Homeostasis and response,Inheritance, variation and evolution, Ecology.

AQA exam resources https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-8461/assessment-resources

Calculator IS allowed

When will the exams take place? For the academic year 2019/20, GCSE Equivalency exams will take place on the following dates:

Please note: there are three dates for each exam. However, you only have two opportunities to sit the exam. So for example, if you sit the GCSE Maths exam in May and do not receive a passing grade, you are entitled to a final opportunity in one of the later test dates. You cannot attempt the exam again if you fail on the final attempt. If you sit your first opportunity on the last test date, there will be no further opportunities to sit the exam, regardless of the outcome. These are the only dates the exams will be delivered. We cannot book extra dates, so please carefully organise your time accordingly to ensureyou can attend.

GCSE Equivalency Biology exam

May 2019 July 2019 July 2019

Wednesday 15 May10.00am – 12.00pm

Wednesday 10 July10.00am – 12.00pm

Wednesday 31 July10.00am – 12.00pm

GCSE Equivalency English exam

May 2019 July 2019 July 2019

Wednesday 15 May2.00pm - 4.30pm

Wednesday 10 July2.00pm - 4.30pm

Wednesday 31 July2.00pm - 4.30pm

GCSE Equivalency Mathematics exam

May 2019 July 2019 August 2019

Thursday 16 May10.00am - 12.30pm

Thursday 11 July10.00am - 12.30pm

Thursday 1 August10.00am - 12.30pm

How much do the exams cost?The cost is £100 per exam. This includes exam administration fees and one hour of tutorial support. You do not need to attend a revision support session; however, the fee still remains £100. If, for example, you need to sit both English and Maths the total cost will be £200. If you need to sit all three exams (English, Maths and Biology), the total cost will be £300. If you do not pass your first opportunity, then you will need to pay the same fee for each final opportunity required.

Do I have to attend a revision support session?No, you do not need to attend a session, however the fee is the same whether you attend a revision support session or not. You should contact the Learning Hub on learninghub@leedstrinity.ac.uk to check availability for and to book a support session. Please note that these sessions may be in small groups. You should aim to revise the topics using the information given in this booklet so that your support session gives you the most benefit.

How do I book and pay for the exams?All payments must be made through the University’s online store at http://store.leedstrinity.ac.uk

Making the payment is how you will book the exam. We cannot accept payments in any other form. Deadline for payments is five working days before the exam. Please ensure that you pay for the correct exam in the store.

Please bring your receipt (either in paper or electronic form) to your revision support session and/or the exam.

What do I need to bring to the exam?For all exams, please bring proof of payment (see above) a form of I.D (such as your driving licence or passport) and pens. For the Maths and Biology exams, please also bring pencils, a ruler and for the Biology exam only, a scientific calculator. You are permitted a clear pencil case and water bottle on your desk in the exam room. You are not permitted a dictionary. If you require special arrangements, please inform the Admissions Team before sitting your exams. You will be required to show proof of an assessment which normally entitles you to extra time in exams in order for this arrangement to be made.

We will be unable to make arrangements for extra time on the day of the exam.

How long are the exams?Please see the exam times earlier in the booklet.

Please arrive at the exam room no later than 15 minutes before the exam is due to commence. If you are unfamiliar with the campus, we recommend that you arrive 20-30 minutes in advance and report to Reception. Someone will come and collect you and take you to the examination room. You will not be permitted to enter the exam room once the exam has commenced. If you require alternative arrangements for your exam, please notify Admissions on admissions@leedstrinity.ac.uk or on 0113 283 7123 upon booking so these can be made well in advance of the required examination date. We will not be able to accommodate requests made on the day of your exam.

When will I receive my results?We aim to provide your results within fifteen working days of sitting the exam(s). Admissions will email you to notify you of the outcome.

What mark do I need to pass/successfully enter a PGCE programme at Leeds Trinity University?The required pass mark is aligned to the required pass mark to meet the current GCSE grade C or 4.

Will I receive feedback?No, in alignment with the GCSE, you will receive your overall mark but no feedback unless you do not pass the test, in which case we will give some general pointers for you to work on. All completed examination papers are the property of Leeds Trinity University; they will not be returned.

Will I receive a certificate?No, this is not a certificated qualification, it has been assessed and approved only for entry to a degree programme with Leeds Trinity University.

Where will I sit the exam?All exams will be sat at Leeds Trinity University; we are unable to offer the exams externally.

Contact

Degree programmes, course requirements and course structure:

leedstrinity.ac.uk - Go to PGCE courses and click on the PGCE of your choice.

Admissions, exam times, special arrangements for exams:

Admissions teamadmissions@leedstrinity.ac.uk0113 283 7123

Payment of GCSE Equivalency fees:

Finance officefinance@leedstrinity.ac.uk0113 283 7311

- 14/12/18181214NO1 Ref:

Leeds Trinity University, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 5HD

0113 283 7150 hello@leedstrinity.ac.uk

leedstrinity.ac.uk @leedstrinity/leedstrinity /leedstrinity

Information correct at time of printing, January 2019.

The information in this publication can be supplied in alternative formats. Please call 0113 283 7150 or email hello@leedstrinity.ac.uk