Edexcel facts for kids
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| Formation | 1996 |
|---|---|
| Merger of | ULEAC and BTEC |
| Type | Examination board |
| Headquarters | Strand, London, United Kingdom |
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Official language
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English |
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Chair
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Mary Curnock Cook CBE |
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Parent organisation
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Pearson |
Edexcel (also known as Pearson Edexcel since 2013) is a British organization. It helps schools and colleges by creating and grading exams. It started in 1996. Edexcel is fully owned by a company called Pearson. It is the only privately owned exam board in the United Kingdom. The name "Edexcel" comes from combining "education" and "excellence."
Edexcel sets exams for schools that follow the British Curriculum. They also offer qualifications for schools around the world. It is the UK's largest group that gives out academic and job-related qualifications. You can find their exams in schools, colleges, and workplaces in the UK and other countries. Many places internationally recognize their qualifications.
How Edexcel Started
Edexcel was formed in 1996. It was created when two groups joined together. These groups were the BTEC and ULEAC. ULEAC stood for the University of London Examinations and Assessment Council.
In 2003, the Edexcel Foundation, which managed the board, partnered with Pearson plc. They created a new company called London Qualifications Ltd. Pearson owned most of this new company. In 2004, London Qualifications Limited changed its name to Edexcel Limited.
By 2005, Pearson plc took full control of Edexcel. This made Edexcel the only large exam board owned by a private company. Pearson then invested money to help Edexcel grow.
What Qualifications Edexcel Offers
Edexcel offers many different types of qualifications. These include exams like A-levels and GCSE. They also have International Advanced Levels (IAL). These IAL exams are only for schools outside the UK. Experts in the UK say that IALs are just as good as regular A-levels.
Edexcel also provides the Edexcel International Diploma (ID). To get this diploma, students study four A-Levels. This includes three full A-Levels and one AS-Level. The AS-Level can be in General Studies or Global Development.
The British curriculum offered by Edexcel International is very popular. Many international schools use it. Other popular curricula come from Cambridge International Examinations and the International Baccalaureate Organization.
Pearson Edexcel Name Change
On April 3, 2013, Pearson changed the name of Edexcel. All of its exams became known as 'Pearson Edexcel'. This was part of a bigger plan to add 'Pearson' to all of their brands.
