IGCSEs

[kylelowe1990]

Hey guys, does anybody know what medical schools opinions on these IGCES's? Are they accepted and if so, are they equal to GCSEs or are they seen as lesser or even better options?
Graze

[kylelowe1990]

Also, how long do GCSEs last before they become invalid? i heard it was 5 years...

[rachaelc]

I think universities see them as equal to gcse if they accept them. I think most do accept them you could go onto their website and look for the universities you like the look of?

I don't understand what you mean by invalid, once you get your gcse grades they are yours forever aren't they? I'm probably not understanding you correctly.

[rachaelc]

Oh yes, and they were considered to be harder than gcse (by candidates sitting them) but universities see them as equal.

[kylelowe1990]

Ive looked on loads of Uni websites and i cant find much on them, i think they are still up and coming but i was unsure, so thanks. I know that GCSEs are always yours as it where, but for some reason i thought that had a kind of sell by date and after a certain time Universities may want to see some proof that you still have a some knowledge, regardless of the grade. It might just be rumours and mis understood thought!

[OllieF]

Hi Kyle, I'm currently going through three GCSEs again (trying to bump grades up from C to A in Chemistry, English and Maths). I called up a couple of the medical schools I'm hoping to attend (can't remember which exact ones at the mo) and they indicated that they didn't see any difference between GCSE and IGCSE, in terms of admission.

Hope this assuages some doubt

[kylelowe1990]

That's brilliant news,thanks guys!ice got to ask though,how are you coping with distance learning as aposed to being taught? And how does the chemistry IGCSE or GCSE work with praticals and that?!

[OllieF]

I've not been in full-time education for a while and was doing an OU degree, so distance learning works for me. However, I'm sure that being back in the classroom will make the experience a little bit easier next year!

As for practicals, the IGCSE chemistry course has recommended experiments that you can do yourself using (relatively) easy-to-acquire household items; however it's impractical for me to carry them out. Although I feel it would be useful to do them, it's definitely possible to complete the course without having done them.

[kylelowe1990]

Thanks mate! what degree did you do with the OU? i keep thinking about doing it and entering a 4 year GEP

[OllieF]

I did Politics, Philosophy & Economics which was pretty horrendous, but glad it's over now! Can't wait to get stuck into the Access course next year