GCSEs explained
What are GCSEs and who takes them?
GCSEs (which stand for General Certificates of Secondary Education) are examined courses taken as part of the National Curriculum, usually in years 10 and 11. They are designed to build transferable skills such as communication, problem-solving and critical thinking.
GCSEs are the main secondary school assessment in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, students sit National 4s and 5s instead: Scottish secondary schools and the Curriculum for Excellence.
What subjects do you study at GCSE?
Core GCSE subjects
Not all GCSE subjects are optional. The ‘core’ subjects of English literature and English language, maths and science are compulsory.
Optional GCSE subjects
Schools then offer optional subjects such as modern languages, humanities, arts and design and technology.
Students typically choose between nine and ten subjects, but schools have varying approaches and expectations.
When do you choose your GCSEs?
In most schools, students choose their GCSE subjects in year 9, ready to start them in year 10. Some schools allow, or even encourage, earlier choices in year 8 to allow a three-year GCSE course or so that pupils can sit some exams early in year 10.
When do you take GCSEs?
Students usually sit their exams in May and June of year 11, though there are exceptions. Some take one or more subjects a year early (eg religious studies). There are independent schools which routinely plan for pupils to take a modern language and even maths a year early. Colleges and online schools may offer fast-track or part-time courses, and some adults even take GCSEs later in life.
Re-sits are typically offered twice a year: in the autumn (usually November) for English and maths, and in the summer for all other subjects.
How are GCSEs graded? (9–1 explained)
GCSEs were traditionally graded from A* to G, but since 2017 they have been graded from 9-1. For comparison, 9 is equivalent to a high A* and 4 is a pass (often referred to as a ‘strong pass’ at grade 5 and a ‘standard pass’ at grade 4).
New GCSE grades | Old GCSE grades |
|---|---|
9 | A* |
8 | |
7 | A |
6 | B C |
5 | |
4 | |
3 2 1 | D |
E | |
F | |
G | |
U | U |
Exam boards and regulators
The main UK exam boards offering GCSEs are AQA, CCEA, OCR, Edexcel and WJEC. Each one sets its own syllabus and exams, although all follow national curriculum guidelines.
Each exam board is overseen by a regulatory authority to ensure equality between schools: Ofqual (England), Qualifications Wales (Wales) and CCEA (Northern Ireland).
What are GCSE grades used for?
GCSE grades are most often used to determine admissions to further education courses at sixth form or college. Many require minimum grades across all GCSEs (for example, five grade 4s, including English and maths) or in specific subjects (grade 7 in maths to study maths).
Some higher education courses also specify certain GCSE grades – for example, top grades across all sciences to study medicine, or grade 4 or 5 in English, maths and science for teaching or nursing. Employers likewise consider GCSE qualifications for entry-level roles.
However, GCSE grades are not the be-all and end-all. You can re-sit exams, improve your performance at A level or opt for a more vocational, hands-on course after year 11.
Should you judge a school by its GCSE results?
GCSE results offer insight into both how academic a school is and the quality of teaching. Our school reviews list the percentage of grades 9-7 at GCSE so you can make direct comparisons.
But don’t just look at the raw data. ‘Value added’ scores provide a fairer picture by showing how much a school improves its students. For all state schools (and some independent schools), the Progress 8 score is most useful here, measuring how much progress pupils make between the end of primary school (Key Stage 2) and the end of secondary school (Key stage 4, when they take GCSEs).
Raw data also overlooks that, for some students – for example those with SEN (special educational needs) – achieving a 4 may be a huge success. Above all, GCSEs are only part of the picture. Curriculum breadth, pastoral care and extracurricular life are equally important when choosing the right school for your child.
What are the alternatives to GCSEs?
Among the alternatives to GCSEs – for practical learning or a more vocational route – are Functional Skills, Level 2 BTECs, Cambridge Nationals and apprenticeships.
IGCSEs (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) are another option offered by many schools in the UK and abroad. They are particularly popular with UK private schools. These internationally recognised equivalents are designed with a more global perspective and offer a wider range of subjects and a more flexible curriculum.
Why are GCSEs criticised?
GCSEs have attracted criticism for the pressure they place on students and for being too exam-focused, with less emphasis on the skills employers say they want.
Because GCSEs are grade-referenced, the pass mark varies each year depending on national performance. There are also concerns about grade inflation – particularly during and after the pandemic.
