Online training is booming, and it is natural for many students to wonder whether they can study and take their GCSE exams online.
The truth is that all the preparation and training can be done online; in fact, there are many benefits of doing it this way. The only thing that is not possible (for now) is taking the exam electronically.
In this article, we will discuss how you, the student, can benefit from the process of preparing your exam online, and what alternatives you currently have to take your exam.
So, let’s start from the beginning.
Is it possible to take the GCSE exam online?
Right now, the GCSE exam cannot be taken online, but this may soon be possible. The three main exam boards are studying the possibility of administering the exams online, and tests have been carried out with thousands of students. So, it may just be a matter of time.
But in the meantime, the only way to get a GCSE or A Level certification is to take the exam in person.
If you are a homeschooler, an independent learner, or a private student, you should find a reliable and trustworthy examination centre or school near you well in advance, so that you can check whether they accept private candidates. This is not only to sign up for your exam, but also to find out what exam boards they offer and what exactly you need to be prepared for, how much they charge and when the registration deadlines are. And then, of course, you can start preparing for the exam, a process that you can do 100% online.
What is the GCSE or A Level exam preparation process like for an independent student?
The process that you can follow when preparing your online exam, will require your commitment, of course, and selecting a good online tutor who knows the structure, the contents and peculiarities of the exam, and who will accompany you every step along the way.
Your teacher will guide you through the process, tell you which textbooks you need so that you are fully confident that you will study all the topics, vocabulary and grammar necessary to pass your exam.
But there is also an extra component that a good teacher will provide, and that is the confidence necessary to get good grades, by achieving your full potential on the day of the exam.
How can an online tutor help me prepare for my exam if I am already taking classes at my school?
If you are preparing the exam at a school or languages centre, an online tutor can help you with certain «grammar issues» that you need to pay more attention to, or explain some part of the content or some specific skill that you find especially difficult.
Sometimes, due to the large numbers of students per class or the limited hours you have to prepare for your exam at school, these problems and questions remain unresolved and accumulate, until they become a barrier to earning high grades. In addition, they often cause students to feel stressed and insecure.
In these cases, complementing the exam preparation at your school with online classes given by a teacher who is an expert on the exam you are going to take, will help you to clear up any questions you might have.
In addition, you will benefit from weekly 1:1 conversation with your online tutor, improving your skills for the speaking test.
The key for preparing your exams online is personalization
In any case, whether you are an independent learner or you are preparing your exam at your school and need extra support, the key to carrying out the study process with an online teacher is personalization and adapting the lessons to the needs of each student.
Some students need to learn and practice vocabulary, others have problems with grammar, many find listening exercises difficult, and speaking tests cause anxiety for most.
Fortunately, online tutoring can incorporate an immense variety of tools that can be adapted to address these needs.
Depending on the type of student, their learning style and their needs, this can be accomplished through both traditional lecture-type lessons and the most innovative lessons, using different online tools and applications.
In summary: what are the benefits of preparing for your GCSE or A Level exam online?
As we have seen in this article, regardless of your situation, you will be able to benefit from the advantages of studying online to clear up all your questions, learn what you need and thus feel more confident and sure about your exam, to bring out your maximum potential and achieve the best possible grades.
And the best thing is that, by doing it online, you will enjoy advantages such as:
· Being able to prepare for your exam «no matter where you are in the world.»
· Flexibility and adaptability to your specific needs.
· Online tutoring is student-centred: you’ll be able to work at your own pace.
· Each student encounters different challenges along the way, and these can be tackled efficiently through one-on-one teaching.
· Online tutoring is suitable for all ages.
· You can access your study materials at any time, 24 hours a day.
· You will go beyond what is in the books: you will also receive personalised recommendations, based on your teacher’s own experience.
