EXAMS

Examinations

Examinations at Homewood School and Sixth Form Centre are administered from the Examinations office, M40, in the Mansion. The range of examinations seems to be always expanding to cover the full spectrum of academic and applied qualifications. It is usual for this office to handle around 12,000 entries in the course of a year.

The Examinations Office is regularly inspected by the Joint Council for Qualifications.

For all enquiries, please contact our Examinations Office via:

Key Stage 4 Results Explained - GCSEs

GCSEs are graded by a nine-point (9-1) grading system:

Grade       

Description
9 This is the highest grade to be achieved; with less than 5% being awarded to the top performers.
8 The equivalent to an A* with a further 7% being awarded this grade.
7 The equivalent to an A grade. Pupils in the top 12% to 20% achieve this.
11 The equivalent to a top B grade. Pupils in the top 20% to 34% achieve this.
5 This serves as the international benchmark and is equivalent to the upper range of a C grade to a lower B grade (Strong Pass). Nationally, 50% of students attain a grade 5 or higher.
4 This is equivalent to the bottom of a C grade (Standard Pass). A further 15% pupils achieve a Grade 4.
3 Equivalent to a Grade D
2 Equivalent to a Grade E
1 Equivalent to a Grade F/G
U About 2% of pupils nationally achieve an U grade.

In addition to this, GCSE Science is a double award GCSE. This means it is worth 2 GCSEs, for example:

44 stands for two grade 4s, or 43 stands for a grade 4 and a grade 3.

BTEC Grading Structure

BTEC courses are work-related qualifications that offer a practical, real-world learning approach alongside essential theoretical knowledge. Throughout Years 10 and 11, students complete units of work that are internally assessed and externally verified, along with an external exam component. Grades are awarded as Pass, Merit, Distinction, or Distinction*. Each BTEC course is equivalent to one GCSE.

                                                       BTEC
Grade Description
D+ Level 2 Distinction Star is the equivalent of a GCSE 8.5
D Level 2 Distinction is the equivalent of a GCSE 7
M Level 2 Merit is the equivalent of a GCSE 5.5
P Level 2 Pass is the equivalent of a GCSE 4
Level 1D Level 1 Distinction is the equivalent of a GCSE 3
Level 1M Level 1 Merit is the equivalent of a GCSE 2
Level 1P Level 1 Pass is the equivalent of a GCSE 1.25
U A U grade/Fail

 

 

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