We offer equivalency tests if you do not have the required GCSE grade or other equivalent qualification.
We have equivalency tests for:
- English
- Maths
- Science
The price is £99 per test (2025 entry only) and results are provided within 5 working days. The tests are held in person on our campus.
Please note that the tests are only available to BGU applicants and are only able to be used for entry onto BGU courses.
As these tests are not subject to national validation in the same way as GCSEs, they may not be acceptable outside of Bishop Grosseteste University. If you pass the tests, you are not entitled to claim you have a GCSE in these subjects.
Further information about our Equivalency tests can be found below, or you can email our team: courseenquiries@bishopg.ac.uk
What do our tests consist of?
The English GCSE equivalency test consists of three sections. You will have 1hour 30mins to complete the test. Candidates must answer all questions in all three sections.
Sections A & B: Reading (you are advised to spend 35minutes on each section):
There will be two extracts, one from a fiction novel and one from a non-fiction novel. You will need to read these at the start of each section. After reading, you will answer a series of questions to show your understanding of the extract. This will assess comprehension and inference skills.
Section C: Writing (20mins):
You will be required to complete an extended piece of writing. You will plan, write and edit the task. We strongly recommend that candidates make a plan before and leave time for proof reading and editing.
While you cannot 'revise' for the English paper, it is still possible to prepare and practice. We would recommend looking at a page from a novel (or at a newspaper article) and seeing if you can pick out words or techniques that have been chosen deliberately because of their meaning or the effect they have on the reader. You might want to brush up on key terms like noun, adjective, verb and adverb so that you could say something like, "the writer's use of the noun 'catastrophe' is a strong word choice that tells the reader that the accident is very serious". It could be helpful to familiarise yourself with key techniques like simile, personification, metaphor and repetition. Looking at the BBC Bitesize revision website for GCSE English Language (any exam board) would be useful preparation.
The Maths GCSE equivalency test consists of two papers, each 50mins long. One test must be answered without a calculator, and another where use of a calculator is recommended.
Candidates are advised to bring their own calculator and to be familiar with how to use it.
You are aiming to attain a GCSE grade 4 standard (old grade C).
Currently, the University is unable to provide tuition, this is the candidate’s responsibility, but we can offer the following advice and do recommend that you revise sufficiently before sitting the test, especially if you have not attempted GCSE style questions for a while.
Maths - GCSE exam papers can be downloaded from the internet. The following are direct access to the different exam boards as well as some additional exam papers and revision and practice material.
• https://corbettmaths.com/
• https://www.mathsgenie.co.uk/
• https://www.draustinmaths.com/
• https://www.1stclassmaths.com/
When going through practice exam papers it is important that you use the relevant mark scheme to find out what areas you need to work on.
This is so you can feel confident on any questions that come up on the exam day.
The Science GCSE equivalency test consists of one paper, 1 hour 45minutes long. Candidates must answer all questions in all sections.
The test consists of GCSE standard questions which are used to sample candidates’ recall, knowledge and understanding of the Biology, Chemistry and Physics, where each have equal weighting.
There are a mix of question types, including long written-answer questions, short-answer questions and multiple-choice questions. Some questions are standalone questions, whereas other questions consist of multiple parts and can require using the answer to a previous part of a question, or not. These part questions may vary in the level of demand.
The test also assesses candidates’ knowledge, understanding and application of ‘working scientifically’ (the development of scientific thinking; experimental skills and strategies; analysis and evaluation; scientific vocabulary, quantities, units, symbols and nomenclature).
Candidates are advised to bring their own calculator and to be familiar with how to use it.
For a conditional offer, please check that the course you wish to apply for with us accepts these equivalency tests before booking.
If you have not applied for a course at BGU you will not be eligible for these tests.
Visit the online booking and payment form – all currently available dates are listed – and book your test.
Each test costs £99 and this will not be refunded if you have booked in error or do not attend a test.
An automated email will be sent to confirm the booking.
Be aware that places for each date are limited so do not leave it to the last minute to book.
Revise for the test using appropriate resources.
The University does not provide tuition or test guidance, this is the candidate’s responsibility. We recommend that you revise sufficiently before sitting the test, especially if you have not attempted GCSE style questions for a while. There is further information on each test on the site.
You are aiming to attain a GCSE grade 4 standard (old grade C)
About one week before the test date you will receive an email clarifying the time, place and other arrangements for the test.
The tests will be taken on campus.
If you are unable to sit the test on campus, there are some opportunities to take the test online.
Additional dates will be added to the booking system during the year.
At the request of many training providers and students alike we provide online GCSE equivalency tests as well as the traditional paper based exams.
To do these exams you require a computer with camera, microphone, keyboard, a stable internet connection and a phone with the ability to scan or photograph. No special hardware, software or training is required.
Candidates can re-sit Equivalency Test. Please note that candidates are allowed a maximum of 2 attempts at each test so if the first attempt is not passed you may choose to book a second attempt. If unsuccessful after 2 attempts, candidates are advised to enrol on a GCSE course.
Please allow a minimum of 5 working days for the test to be marked and for the results to be announced. In some circumstances this can take longer for tests due to availability of tutors.
You will then receive an email stating whether the candidate has passed or not passed.
This information is shared with Admissions and added to the records, there is no need to do anything, but candidates may wish to contact their tutor.
Please note that candidates are allowed a maximum of 2 attempts at each test so if the first attempt is not passed you may choose to book a second attempt. If unsuccessful after 2 attempts, candidates are advised to enrol on a GCSE course.