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GCSE English Equivalency Test
GCSE English Equivalency Test
The A star equivalency testing service enables you to book and take your GCSE English equivalency test at home.
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GCSE English Equivalency Online Exam for Teaching, Nursing, & Other Courses
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Based on the AQA GCSE English Language Specification - 2 Hour 10 Minute Exam
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Recommended by Training Providers - Lowest Cost Exam Guaranteed
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Updated Course for 23-24: All you need to revise Updated Course
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For Questions & Support Call 020 8135 8868
Now available online.
GCSE English Equivalency Course 23/24
The A Star Equivalency GCSE English course for the 2023/2024 academic year provides everything you need to pass the GCSE English equivalency test.
Once you order the course, it gets posted to you by Royal Mail and arrives within 2-3 working days.
(Live outside the UK? Please visit A Star Equivalency International for International Courses)
This provides access to our outstanding course for 1 year.
Fundamental Practice Tests
Revision Guide
Professional Marking
Revision Cards
Mock Exams
students passed
study hours
service
How do I prepare for the GCSE English Equivalency Test?
AQA Specification
The A Star Equivalency exam and specification is similar to the AQA exam GCSE English language qualification and as such materials designed for this exam will be relevant.
The full AQA GCSE English Language specification can be found below.
AQA GCSE English Specification
Assessment Objectives and guidance
Our assessment objectives are benchmarked against recognised examination criteria.
English Equivalency Exam Breakdown
GCSE English Equivalency Exam writing questions
This pack includes the style of writing questions from your actual exam, and you will have the option of the writing question 5 from paper 1 or 2.
The writing section is important as it is 40% of your assessment.
English practice writing paper
Equivalency Sample Paper
Access GCSE English Equivalency test past papers pdf, mark scheme and insert below.
Practice Paper
Mark Scheme
Insert
Ask the community
A star Equivalency has set up a Facebook support group to help every Equivalency student.
Take a look at the A star Equivalency Facebook Group.
The Exam Tutor
We are happy to recommend maths tuition through our partner service, The Exam Tutor. You can read more about the
english equivalency tuition - or
book your tuition here.
Everything you need in one place
With our course options, you get all the materials you need to revise for and pass the exam. Additionally we also have webinar tutorials to help prepare learners, which is included in the exam booking fee. See the page above for more information.Â
Specifically designed for the exam
The course has been specifically designed to match the content of the exam. We pride ourselves on providing you with genuine mock papers designed by examiners.
Examiner feedback
With the GCSE English equivalency course, you are able to submit two exams for examiner feedback. You can receive personalised feedback from real examiners on how you can improve.
Make a study plan
Making a study plan to pass your Equivalency Test is a good place to start. Plan out when you want to revise and how you want to revise.
Start revising early
Start your revision early. Give yourself enough time to cover the entire course without needing to rush.
Do lots of practice papers and questions
Exam-paper practice is the most important thing you can do to step-up your revision. This is why the A star course comes with 6 high-quality mock papers, so you know what you expect from the real exam.
Contact our expert exam team
Contact our expert exam team to receive advice about which qualification is best suited for your situation, or call 020 8135 8868 to book now.
Testimonials
View the testimonial videos from some of our customers, who we helped to progress their academic and career opportunities.
How we create our exams
Our GCSE English equivalency exams are made according to strict criteria, and we make sure they are as close as possible to these specifications.
If you would like further detail on this, and out process, click the button below.
English Equivalency Exam Grade Boundaries
We closely monitor all exam results, how these change over time, and regularly alter our grade boundaries to reflect these fluctuations.
This analytical approach ensures that our exams are always up to date in terms of their level of difficulty, and match the specifications they are benchmarked against.
GCSE English Equivalency Grade Boundaries
| Grade | Marks | Percentage |
| Grade A*, A**, (9) | 79/100 | Â 79%+ |
| Grade A*-, (8) | 73/100 | Â 73%+ |
| Grade A-, A, A+, (7) | 68/100 | Â 68%+ |
| Grade B+, (6) | 61/100 | Â 61%+ |
| Grade B-, B, (5) | 54/100 | Â 54%+ |
| Grade C-, C, C+ (4) | 48/100 | Â 48%+ |
| Grade 3 | 35/100 | Â 35%+ |
| Grade 2 | 23/100 | Â 23%+ |
| Grade 1 | 10/100 | Â 10%+ |
Unclassified:  0-9 Marks  0%
How is the English GCSE Equivalency Exam Marked and Graded?
Mark and grade boundaries for our combined papers are benchmarked to the June 2019 AQA grade boundaries for English Language, and marked out of 160.
These have then been converted to marks out of 100, and are expressed as percentages. We have also provided their corresponding grades, from grade 1-9.
Note: Training Providers will require a minimum of 4 (equivalent to an old C grade) or in Wales a 6 (equivalent to an old B grade).
Frequently Asked Questions
The following is a list of things you will need on the day of your exam:
- An internet connection capable of sustaining a video call (please make sure to do a test video call before the day of your exam)
- A web cam and audio set up
- An acceptable form of ID
- A pen and lined paper
- A Smartphone (to submit your answers if you complete them on paper).
The online test is straightforward.
On the day of your exam, click the Google Meets link sent to you, and the invigilator will then share the exams system. You will read the questions on-screen, and then have the option of typing out your answers in the spaces provided, or handwriting them.
If you handwrite your answers on paper, then you will need to scan the paper in at the end of the exam. You do not need any technical knowledge to do the exam online, simply a stable internet connection and a web camera.
This exam pack outlines what is in the English Equivalency examination, how it is assessed and provides practice exams and support materials to assist you.
Since English is the most predominant medium of communication in the UK, good English skills are extremely important. We have worked to deliver a high-quality GCSE English Equivalency syllabus that is transparent about its expectations.
A well-known saying is that ‘repetition is the mother of skill’. English Language examinations are testing you for many different skills at once, so it is vital that you make time to practise, practise, practise.
If you know you will require an English GCSE Equivalency, we would always encourage starting your preparation as early as possible.
The English equivalency exam is one 2-hour 10 minute English Language equivalency exam, bench marked to AQA GCSE English Language paper (For teaching from September 2015 onwards for exams in May/June 2017 onwards. Single tier 1-9).
It is a 100 mark hybrid paper, based on both paper 1 and paper 2.
The official document linked earlier on this page is very detailed, so an easy-to-follow breakdown of the English equivalency exam content (including assessment objectives) is included here, in the English Equivalency test guide.
This guide lays out which assessment objectives are assessed in each question, and how the GCSE English Language Equivalency exam questions map to the standard AQA exam questions in both paper 1 and 2.
You require a GCSE English Equivalency qualification for entry into a higher education course which accepts GCSE equivalencies.
Courses which do this typically include Teaching QTS (minimum of a C/4), Nursing, and Midwifery.
The best preparation for your exam is the course materials available in this pack, which contains everything you need to pass your exam.
The course includes:
- Full specification
- Mock papers
- Model solutions
- Marked papers with examiner feedback
The marked papers will let you know what level you are currently working at.
They will also give you an indication of when to book your exam to give you the best chances of passing the test first time.
A Star Equivalency Testing has been the leader in delivering Equivalency Tests since 2002.
As a result, our certificates are accepted by most training providers.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding your training provider, please email [email protected] and we will offer our assistance.
Past papers are included in your course pack!
Each one with come with a detailed mark scheme and model solutions, to help you be as prepared as possible.
Yes!
We offer the option of a paper based exam. Please follow this link to see our paper based exam product.Â
To find out what you need in order to sit an online exam, and for information about what will happen on the day, please see the Equivalency test instructions using the link below.
A Star Equivalency Test Instructions
These instructions will be sent to every learner when they book an exam with A Star Equivalency.
UCL will only accept a level 5 for all GCSE English qualifications and equivalencies.
In order to get booked in for an extra time exam, you MUST call 020 8135 8868 or email [email protected] to discuss your requirements.
It may take longer to get booked in for an exam as we verify your evidence of extra time.
Please be aware:
Due to the extended nature of an extra time exam and invigilator availability, it is not possible to sit these exams in every available exam slot.
Book now choose date later exams expire after 1 year after purchase.
GCSE English Equivalency Exam & Course
| Exam Only | Exam and Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest cost online examination Lowest cost online examination | ||
| Online examination Online examination | ||
| Certificate included Certificate included | ||
| 6 Full mock papers exactly like the real exam 6 Full mock papers exactly like the real exam | ||
| Model solutions for each paper Model solutions for each paper | ||
| 2 Examiner-marked mock papers 2 Examiner-marked mock papers | ||
| Revision Cards Included Revision Cards Included | ||
| Access to English fundamental practice tests Access to English fundamental practice tests |
Rating breakdown
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5 stars128
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4 stars25
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3 stars1
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2 stars1
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1 stars3
of customers recommend this product
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I had a terrible experience with the customer service and a specific person who booked an English exam for me over the phone.
First of all, she spelled my name wrong on the system and when I pointed it out, she only corrected the billing information in the invoice but not the student details for the exam. So, I contacted her again to fix it on the same day. But no correction made, just excuses that no time to do it yet or like that, promising she will deal it. But after that no reply, no updates.. I had to make endless calls, chats and emails to the customer team to make it happen but every time the customer service directed me to someone else saying that left a note, no worries but no lear indication or confirmation was made. And the worst part was that I only get the test result, not certificate on the date when they promised and persuaded me to take fast track. I was so desperate and again, when I contacted the customer service, they said call this number.. like that. I don’t want to waste my time anymore dealing with this poor customer service. So instead of making another call, I leave review here to share with you. If you are in rush, don’t just trust what the customer promise you and you have a written confirmation on their promise.
Actually the exam itself was good and my invigilator was really calm and helpful but everything else was a nightmare to me.
Hi Sue, thank you for using the A Star service. Having looked into your review there does appear to be a misunderstanding. Your name correction was made on the system but does take a little time to update, the staff member reporting this was correct and did what they could to help you. Your certificate was uploaded on time to your account so there was no delay but clearly some misunderstanding around the communication you had. We apologise for any misunderstanding caused but are pleased you had a positive exam experience with your invigilator. Thanks again for your feedback, we wish you all the best with your future career.
I had a very good experience. The time is going to pass very quickly during the exam. Study material is very helpful but not a single complete descriptive model answer is given. Overall it was good.
Overall, the test is pretty difficult for non native speakers. Practicing past papers will definitely help if you are to take this exam. The format is convenient and modern. There’s no timer on the real test, so you better check the clock in the corner of your screen to understand how much time you’ve left.
Had a great experience, booked my test very quickly, got several tips on the website and a mock test to practice. receive several reminders beforehand and didn’t have any issues on the test day, got very clear instructions both via email and on the test day. My test results came very quickly and I have already been able to apply for my teacher’s training course. Highly recommend!
Communication was great when doing the exam. This is probably the best equivalency test out there.
A heartfelt thank you to all staff at A Star Equivalency. Not only do they respond to inquiries promptly, but they also provide constructed feedback for mock exams. I cannot recommend A Star Equivalency enough!
I have taken the GCSE English Equivalency Test and opted to purchase the English course. The resources provided were extremely useful. The customer care worked well and answered my queries promptly. I would definitely recommend this provider.
I found the course really useful in understaning what I had to do in order to pass the exam. The tutorials were great and I attended as many as I could.
It was worth the money – I paid for the revision pack and took the 6 mocks before taking my exam. Two of those were marked within days by A Star Equivalency which was incredibly useful as it gave me detailed feedback and helped me achieve an A+ on the actual test day!
Passed with a levl 4 but that is all I needed for my course