Planning qualifications from home

Begin with the place your learner hopes to go next. Ask the college, training provider or sixth form which qualifications, subjects and grades it accepts. Keep the reply and note the intended year of entry. Two courses with similar names can have different assessment arrangements.

Speak to a centre before buying a course

An exam centre may take private candidates for one subject and decline another. Give the centre the awarding organisation, qualification title and specification code. Ask whether practical work, speaking tests or other assessed components can be completed there.

The Joint Council for Qualifications describes how private candidates can find centres and check whether they can accept an entry. Use the awarding organisation for your chosen route as well, particularly for Scottish qualifications. Start with JCQ’s private candidate information.

Work backwards from entry day

Request the centre’s own deadline, the total fee and the dates you need to attend. Ask early how access arrangements are considered and which evidence the centre needs. If two subjects are taken at different sites, allow time to compare exam timetables before paying.

Make one short record for each subject with the contact, deadline, entry code, cost and the next action. Keep time in the weekly plan for practical work and revision, alongside the activities your learner does for their own enjoyment.