What are GCSEs?

General Certificate of Secondary Education

  • GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education.
  • GCSEs are the exams taken by most UK pupils of school-leaving age, and are widely available to all 14–19 students, although there is no lower or upper age limit.
  • GCSEs are qualifications at Level 2 in the National Qualifications Framework.
  • GCSEs are mostly taken after a two-year subject-based course.
  • They are available in a wide range of over 50 subjects.
  • Some subjects are also offered as short-course qualifications, which are equivalent to half a standard GCSE.
  • Some subjects are offered as double Award, which are equivalent to two GCSEs.
  • Vocational GCSEs involve the study of a particular area of employment and the development of work-related skills: these are also described as applied GCSEs and most are double Award.
  • GCSEs are the main entry requirements for study at Level 3 and may be required for some jobs.
  • GCSEs are being revised. The new specifications are for first teaching in September 2009.

How are GCSEs assessed?

  • GCSEs are usually assessed by exams at the end of the course and coursework completed by the students during the course. Some modular GCSEs are assessed by regular end-of-module tests.
  • GCSE Award are graded A*–G. In most subjects foundation or higher tier papers are provided, with grades C–G available from the foundation tier and A*–D from the higher tier.

GCSE specifications, question papers and support materials.