What Exams Would I Have Taken?

[Nuass]

At last, maybe someone can help. I left school in 1973-1974 (memory not as good as it was). I cannot remember what exams I took or what grades I got. Would I have taken CSE's and GCE's? Did you take them both in the same year or stay on to take a second one? My old school is no longer. Help please.

[Lil O'lady]

Nuass - may I ask, as youdid not need these exam boards and grades until very much at a senior level in times rich tapestry, can I ask why you need them at all?
Is it for a course, or a job application?
Cos if its for anything but a job app it don't really matter now - time, and your skills, have moved on.

[factor-fiction]

I left school around then too - yet I can remember every exam, the years I took them, the examining board, subject and grade- and I have the certificates as evidence. If a job requires qualifications you will need to produce evidence.
I therefore find it hard to believe you have no idea. In 1973 it was GCE O levels (numeric grades) and CSEs.
But what use is this information if you don't know which you did, which subjects and what grades you got - unless you are planning to make some qualifications and grades up!

[Nuass]

Thanks for responses. Still awaiting answers to question though. I don't need them for anything. I have my own business and am not applying for a job. Conversation came up a the dinner table and children were asking questions. One currently doing GCSE exams. I have never had to offer my grades or results to any employer I have worked for in the past and therefore they are not imbedded in my memory, pretty much like the German language I took. Still looking for help.

[factor-fiction]

So did my answer not help? I said that the exam regime in 1973/74 was GCE 'O' levels (with numeric grades) and CSEs.
The majority of 'O' levels and CSEs would have been taken in the 5th form (now known as year 11), but at some schools (like mine) one or two may have been taken a year earlier.
There was no need to stay on to take them, although some of the students who went into sixth form may have done an o level there alongside A levels.
If you can't remember doing 'O'levels in 1973 I think there's a good chance you didn't do them. O levels were for the brighter pupils then and the syllabus was more in depth now nowadays and you would almost certainly remember all the revision, and would probably still have dreams/nightmares that you were sitting an exam and hadn't done enough revision.

[Prudie]

As an ex-teacher who left the profession in 1986 I thought I'd add my twopennyworth! I think GCSEs came in the year after that but up until then it was still GCEs and CSEs. GCEs (O levels) were harder and although it may have varied with different exam boards the grades were in fact more commonly in letters (normally A to E). CSE pass grades were numbers 1 to 5 and a CSE Grade 1 is equivalent to a GCE O level pass. My understanding of the current GCSE system is a grade C or above is equivalent to an old O level pass. Both of the old exams were normally sat at the end of 5th year with obvoius exceptions.

[factor-fiction]

Whilst I think Prudie's answer is a good one I'd like to clarify a point Prudie made about alpha and numeric grades for GCE O levels. O levels were still in numeric grades in 1974 - I know because I did my English Language in that year. The 'O' level grading structure changed to an alpha system in 1975- again I know because I have the certificates. Under the alpha grading system grade A covered the old 'O' level grades 1 and 2; B replaced 3 and 4; C replaced 5 and 6; and D,E and F replaced old numeric failure grades.

One other point I omitted in my original answer: as well as O levels and CSEs in 1974 some people sat what was called 16+. Under the 16+ exam you could gain either an O level or a CSE grade.

[Nuass]

Thanks for all responses. Now I am pretty clear. I do remember leaving in the 5th year and actually missing my german exam because I had taken a job too early. But I believe the experience I gained in the work place was more beneficial than the german exam i missed. My youngest is now doing GCSE's and is expected to do well. In the next few weeks he will be doing his work experience and although he is a bright confident boy I am not so sure he is ready for this. When I left school I think I was far better prepared for the big wide world. Maybe I am Just an over concerned mum.

[Prudie]

Just to add to Factor30's answer, which is also a good one, but also to retaliate, I took my own GCE O Levels in 1969, the examining board was London and the grades were letters A - E for passes ( I know that because I know what grades I got). The A levels I then took were also in letters but I'm pretty sure they always were and still are.lol

[factor-fiction]

Good point Prudie- there must have been different practices for different exam boards. JMB were definitely numeric for O levels in 1974 and certainly were in the 1940s when my parents took them. I agree about A levels - they have always been A-E for as long as I can remember

[crabsallover]

factor30 at 22:53 Mon 23rd Jun 2008 said "Under the alpha grading system grade A covered the old 'O' level grades 1 and 2; B replaced 3 and 4; C replaced 5 and 6; and D,E and F replaced old numeric failure grades.".

I need documentary proof for Bath Spa University (to do a PGCE in Chemistry) that Grade 6 pass in a 1972 English Language 'O' level (Oxford board) is equivalent to a Grade C GCSE.

[Jud-e]

Hello all, I also left school in 1974, been working ever since and never had to show my exam result. Now, in my 50's and having been made redundant, I have an interview for a job the the employer is asking for documentory proof of my exams. I don't recall ever getting any certificates as it was such a long time ago. Does anybody know where I might be able to get them. My old school building is now trendy appartments so no point me approaching there. Thanks everyone.