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 company that creates and grades school exams. It was started in 1996 and is now fully owned by a bigger company called Pearson. Edexcel is special because it's the only major exam board in the United Kingdom that is owned by a private company. Its name is a mix of the words education and excellence.
Edexcel helps schools by setting exams for the British Curriculum. They also offer qualifications for students 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 both in the UK and in other countries.
Contents
What is Edexcel?
Edexcel is an organisation that helps students get qualifications. They create the tests and grade them. These qualifications show what you have learned and can help you get into college or find a job. Edexcel works with schools to make sure their exams are fair and useful.
Exams and Qualifications
Edexcel offers many different types of exams. These include GCSEs and A-levels, which are common school exams in the UK. They also have vocational qualifications. These are for learning specific skills for a job. Edexcel's qualifications are recognised by universities and employers everywhere.
International Exams
Edexcel also provides exams for students outside the UK. These are called International Advanced Levels (IALs). They are similar to the A-levels taken in the UK. Edexcel also offers the Edexcel International Diploma (ID). This involves studying four A-level subjects. Many international schools use Edexcel's curriculum.
History of Edexcel
Edexcel was created in 1996. It was formed 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, Edexcel started working with Pearson plc. Pearson is a very large education company. Pearson slowly took more control of Edexcel. By 2005, Pearson owned Edexcel completely. This helped Edexcel get more money to improve its services.
In 2013, Edexcel changed its name slightly. It became known as 'Pearson Edexcel'. This was part of a bigger change where Pearson added its name to all its brands.
Groups That Formed Edexcel
Many smaller examination boards came together over time to form Edexcel. Here are some of the groups that became part of Edexcel:
- Business Education Council (BEC)
- Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC)
- East Anglian Examinations Board (EAEB)
- Joint Committee for Business Studies and Public Administration (JCBSPA)
- London East Anglia Group (LEAG)
- London Regional Examining Board (LREB)
- Metropolitan and Middlesex Regional Examining Boards (M&MREB)
- Technician Education Council (TEC)
- University Entrance and Schools Examinations Council (UESEC)
- University of London Examinations and Assessment Council (ULEAC)
- University of London Schools Examination Board (ULSEB)
