Equivalency Test
If you do not meet the required GCSE or equivalent standards in Science, your offer will be conditional on you passing the University's equivalency test in that subject. You can only take each test once; should you be unsuccessful in a test you will be advised to apply for a GCSE.While a pass in an equivalency test demonstrates that you meet a GCSE equivalent standard in a particular subject, for the purpose of admission onto the course, the test does not provide you with a nationally recognized qualification and is unlikely to be accepted by other institutions.
If you need to take an equivalency test you must read the below information
carefully, as this will not be sent out to you as a paper copy.
Booking an Equivalency Test
You must book a place for the equivalency test by looking at the set test
dates (see below) and emailing
equivalency tests.
It is important that you provide the below information in your
email so that we can identify you.
- Test date
- Test subject (Science - state General or Biology)
- Course you have applied for (e.g. PGCE Primary full-time)
- Forename and surname
- Full address (including postcode)
- Telephone number
We will then send you an email to confirm that you have been booked in
for the equivalency test on your requested date. No other confirmation
of this booking will be made, so if you have received the confirmation email
you will be expected on the day of the test.
Non-Attendance
If you are unable to attend on the day due to e.g. illness, please email us
in advance at
equivalency tests
to let us know of your absence, so that your slot can be allocated to
someone else. To book yourself in for another date just email as before.
| *Please note that due to the number of candidates requiring tests it is only possible to change test dates in exceptional circumstances. |
Test Dates
The University offers equivalency tests on a monthly basis. The dates
of these tests are set in advance and cannot be altered for
the convenience of individuals. Only one Science test can be taken per
date.
The tests take place at Canterbury (North Holmes campus). All candidates MUST
arrive 40 minutes
before the test start time. See On the Day for information on
how to get here and what to bring with you.
| Test Dates and Start Time (Test 1) | Test Dates and Start Time (Test 2) | |||
|
Saturday 3 July 2010 FULLY BOOKED |
10 am |
Saturday 3 July 2010 FULLY BOOKED |
12.45 pm | |
|
Saturday 7 August 2010 FULLY BOOKED. |
10 am |
Saturday 7 August 2010 FULLY BOOKED |
12.45 pm | |
Bookings will not be accepted after the Wednesday before the test.
Anyone requiring additional time for the test i.e. for dyslexia can only be
accommodated in the morning test sessions.
Please note that the afternoon tests (Test 2) are
primarily only
available to candidates that need to take two different tests on the same
day e.g. English and Maths, although these are made available when the
morning session has been fully booked. If you only need to take one test then this will
usually only be available as a morning test at 10 am (Test 1).
Further dates for 2010 are still
being confirmed. As
soon as new dates have been set this website will be updated. Please do not
request dates by email.
Revision and Test Guidance
While the University can provide some basic guidance about the tests (see
below), we do not offer a revision course and are not able to provide you
with past copies of equivalency test papers, or provide any further guidance
about the areas tested.
All tests are paper-based tests.
The
BBC bitesize
website provides useful for advice on how to prepare for these type of
examination/s.
The page on Science provides a choice of three exam boards, of which all are
equally useful. In addition candidates might want to purchase a GCSE
study guide, for example those published by Letts, or Roden, Ward and
Ritchie (2007) Achieving QTS, Primary Science: Extending Knowledge in
Practice, published by Learning Matters Ltd.
Science (Time allowed: 1 hour and 15 minutes)
The University offers a choice of two Science test papers. One is a
Biology test and the other is a General Science test, which includes
questions on Biology, Chemistry and Physics. You may opt to take either the
Biology or the General Science test, and you need to inform us when booking
the test which paper you
wish to take.
Should you be unsuccessful in one of the tests you may opt to take the
other. However, you will not be offered the opportunity to take the
same test more than once, therefore, should you be unsuccessful in both
tests, you will need to consider different routes to gaining the
qualification, either through Open College Network credits or by taking a
GCSE in Science.
On the Day
- You should arrive at the University 40 minutes before the start of the test and wait in the reception area of the Old Sessions House where a member of staff will collect you.
- Parking is not available on the campus but there are a number of car parks close to the campus.
- You should bring with you one form of proof of ID, such as a photo driving licence or passport.
- You should bring your own equipment i.e. pencils/pens, ruler etc.
- There is a £25 charge for each test and payment should be made on
the day either by cheque or postal/money order made payable to
Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU). Unfortunately, we cannot
accept cash.
For maps and directions, and car parks in Canterbury click here.
Results
Results will not be issued until payment is received. Results will
be sent to you in writing usually within two weeks of you taking the test.
The
equivalency tests cannot be re-taken.
If you do not pass an equivalency test which is required for entry onto your
course you will not be allowed to start the course and you will need to
enrol onto a GCSE (or equivalent)
programme
to obtain the required grade.
Special Needs
If you require any further assistance or if you have any special needs,
or a disability that will require special arrangements on the test day,
please
contact
PGCE Student Recruitment