When do GCSE's stop mattering?

[EvianBaby]

Just looking at the info required to register on part time courses and they ask for your GCSE results. I can understand that in a way is it's a college course but you still nee to include them on job appilications, etc.

But I did my GCSE's over 12 years ago. Does anyone actually care what grades I got? Do they actually consider them if your're not fresh out of school?

[TonyV]

yes it's a sign of attainment as are all paper qualifications

[dave1948]

GCSEs are virtually meaningless. Some employers may look and see whether you achieved a C in maths and English.

To exemplify what I mean a local paper recently published results quoting one candidate as having 13.25 GCSE passes. Exactly what is 0.25 of a pass, how do get it, and how that candidate is better equipped than one that got 14 GCSE passes ? Perhaps someone could explain.

[grasscarp]

I think they are probably considered when you get your first job but thereafter you are judged by what you have done. I do mention them sometimes on cvs. I have never mentioned what grades I got though.

[joko]

it depends on age and what else you have done...if you have all sorts of other diplomas and certificates etc and have had loads of related jobs theres no point...however they cant hurt - anything that shows off your skills etc is good
also if your CV is a bit empty and you havent much else on it, say you have only had 2 jobs since leaving school, you may as well add them

i took mine off years ago...but only because my cv is 3 pages long now...

you could perhaps just mention them on one line, such as 'Achieved 7 GCSEs at A-C Grades' or just pass grades ... or just mention any relevant ones

if you are having a career change though it may help to mention the relevant ones...

[starone]

It seems that everything matters now. My grandson has just finished university and applied for several jobs. He got a 2.2 and he says they will not even look at anyone who did not get a 2.1. I don't understand these gradings but apparently he might as well not be a B.A. (Hons) because he didn't get a 2.1. Is it worth it? That's three years wasted.

[joko]

i depends on the subject and your jobs...i have never once been asked what my degree mark was, or any of the other qualificiations i have...in about 12 years...

[Philoctetes]

That is just people being lazy. Rather than read applications they come up with some arbitrary cut-off. The trouble is that, in some subjects, it is almost impossible to get less than a 2:1 (or A* A-level or GCSE) because they are black/white fact based, while in others you have to think and your opinion, albeit well argued, my not agree with that of the examiner. IMHO, for applications, grades should be irrelevant, initial sift should be on quality of application, and final cut ny interview. Oh, but that takes time and effort :(

[Mosaic]

If you look around the great majority of jobs and courses stipulate a minimum level in literacy and numeracy. your GCSEs readily show how you fulfill these requirements.
However, the content of subjects changes and you are right in thinking that after more than a decade this doesn't count for much.
An exception I'd recommend quoting if you can are if you got A / A*s as this shows you're a clever little devil.

[Mosaic]

Starbuck - whoever says this to your son is cruel and wrong. A degree is a very valuable thing. maybe a shrinking job market means employers can be picky, but to say a degree is not worth it is not the case.

[Booldawg]

GCSEs seem to be more applicable to gaining a place in college and what level of course they'll get you on. As A levels are more for gaining a place at Uni rather than being qualifications that will mean anything in the workplace.

[EvianBaby]

Thanks for the answers. It seems most agree that after a point, your GCSE results are irrelevant. I can understand them being required from someone who has just left school but if I was interviewing someone in their 20's or older, assuming they had some work hisotry or qualification relevant to the post, I wouldn't give a thought as to what they got in exams they took at 16.

Although maybe I've just got a case of sour grapes as my highest grade was a C. :)