GCSE
Subject specifications that are available to candidates are listed below. Please select a specification to see details of any additional restrictions and/or special conditions for private candidates.
Rules that are applicable to all students for these specifications (for example which optional exams can and can't be taken together) can be found in our our entry codes and subject specification documents.
Available specifications (number in brackets is the specification code)
- Bengali (8638)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021.
Students will be able to carry forward a GCSE MFL endorsement grade/level from summer 2021 or a previous series or resit them if their school or college decides to offer the opportunity. There’s no requirement for schools and colleges to offer the endorsement this series.June 2022 This qualification is available to private candidates with the following condition:
Speaking test components (8638/SF and 8638/SH)
The entering centre must accept responsibility for supervising and authenticating these non-exam assessments (NEAs).
- Biology (8461)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021. June 2022 This qualification is available to private candidates with the following condition:
Practical skills
The entering centre must make provision for private candidates to carry out all the practical activities specified in section 8 of the specification.
- Business Studies (8132)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021. June 2022 None - this qualification is available to private candidates.
- Chemistry (8462)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021. June 2022 This qualification is available to private candidates with the following condition:
Practical skills
The entering centre must make provision for private candidates to carry out all the practical activities specified in section 8 of the specification.
- Chinese (Spoken Mandarin) (8673)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021.
Students will be able to carry forward a GCSE MFL endorsement grade/level from summer 2021 or a previous series or resit them if their school or college decides to offer the opportunity. There’s no requirement for schools and colleges to offer the endorsement this series.June 2022 This qualification is available to private candidates with the following condition:
Speaking test components (8673/SF and 8673/SH)
The entering centre must accept responsibility for supervising and authenticating these non-exam assessments (NEAs).
- Citizenship Studies (8100)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021. June 2022 This specification is available to private candidates.
Investigation and action
Students are required to undertake an investigation into a citizenship issue of their own choice which involves research, action and reflection based upon any part of the subject knowledge content.
An AQA Investigation template is available for students to record and monitor their progress through the investigation.
The investigation will be assessed through a set of questions in Paper 1 Section A. The questions will draw upon the knowledge, and understanding of the skills, methods and processes gained from taking citizenship action and will account for 15% of the total GCSE marks.
The Head of the entering centre must sign a written statement confirming that a candidate has completed the investigation.
- Combined Science:Synergy (Double Award) (8465)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021. June 2022 This qualification is available to private candidates with the following condition:
Practical skills
The entering centre must make provision for private candidates to carry out all the practical activities specified in section 10 of the specification.
- Combined Science:Trilogy (Double Award) (8464)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021. June 2022 This qualification is available to private candidates with the following condition:
Practical skills
The entering centre must make provision for private candidates to carry out all the practical activities specified in section 10 of the specification.
- Dance (8236)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021.
There will be no non-exam assessment (NEA) in this exam series.June 2022 This qualification is available to private candidates with the following condition:
Non-exam assessment (NEA) component (8236/C)
Private candidates must attend a centre which must supervise and assess the production of evidence for this component.
Any other requirements concerning the administration of non-exam assessment contained in the specification must be met.
- Economics (8136)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021. June 2022 None – this qualification is available to private candidates.
- English Language (8700)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates November 2021 This qualification is available to private candidates.
Spoken language (endorsement) (NEA) (8700/C)Students will be able to carry forward their GCSE English Language endorsement grade/level from summer 2021 or a previous series or resit them if their school or college decides to offer the opportunity. There’s no requirement for schools and colleges to offer the endorsement this series.
The November exams are only available to candidates who were at least 16 years old on 31 August 2021 unless this is a re-sit of June 2021.
This qualification is not available to students at schools and colleges in Northern Ireland.
June 2022 This qualification is available to private candidates with the following condition:.
Spoken language (endorsement) (NEA) (8700/C)The entering centre must provide private candidates the opportunity to complete this component.
If the candidate has certificated in a previous series, then the result for the endorsement can be carried forward.
This qualification is not available to students at schools and colleges in Northern Ireland.
- English Literature (8702)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021.
Anthology
The Exams officer will be able to provide you with a copy of the Anthology.
June 2022 None – this qualification is available to private candidates
Anthology
The Exams officer will be able to provide you with a copy of the Anthology.
- French (8658)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021.
Students will be able to carry forward a GCSE MFL endorsement grade/level from summer 2021 or a previous series or resit them if their school or college decides to offer the opportunity. There’s no requirement for schools and colleges to offer the endorsement this series.June 2022 This qualification is available to private candidates with the following condition:
Speaking test components (8658/SF and 8658/SH)
The entering centre must accept responsibility for supervising and authenticating these non-exam assessments (NEAs)
- Geography (8035)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021.
Fieldwork
AQA | News and insight | GCSE Geography: fieldwork changes for 2022 exams
June 2022 This qualification is available to private candidates with the following condition:
Fieldwork
AQA | News and insight | GCSE Geography: fieldwork changes for 2022 exams
- German (8668)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021.
Students will be able to carry forward a GCSE MFL endorsement grade/level from summer 2021 or a previous series or resit them if their school or college decides to offer the opportunity. There’s no requirement for schools and colleges to offer the endorsement this series.June 2022 This qualification is available to private candidates with the following condition:
Speaking test components (8668/SF and 8668/SH)
The entering centre must accept responsibility for supervising and authenticating these non-exam assessments (NEAs)
- History (8145)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021. June 2022 None – this qualification is available to private candidates.
- Italian (8633)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021.
Students will be able to carry forward a GCSE MFL endorsement grade/level from summer 2021 or a previous series or resit them if their school or college decides to offer the opportunity. There’s no requirement for schools and colleges to offer the endorsement this series.June 2022 This qualification is available to private candidates with the following condition:
Speaking test components (8633/SF and 8633/SH)
The entering centre must accept responsibility for supervising and authenticating these non-exam assessments (NEAs)
- Mathematics (8300)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates November 2021 This qualification is available to private candidates with the following condition:
The November exams are only available to candidates who were at least 16 years old on 31 August 2021 unless this is a re-sit of June 2021.
June 2022 None – this qualification is available to private candidates.
- Modern Hebrew (8678)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021.
Students will be able to carry forward a GCSE MFL endorsement grade/level from summer 2021 or a previous series or resit them if their school or college decides to offer the opportunity. There’s no requirement for schools and colleges to offer the endorsement this series.June 2022 This qualification is available to private candidates with the following condition:
Speaking test components (8678/SF and 8678/SH)
The entering centre must accept responsibility for supervising and authenticating these non-exam assessments (NEAs)
- Music (8271)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021.
There will be no non-exam assessment (NEA) in this exam series.June 2022 This GCSE qualification is available to private candidates with the following condition:
Non-exam assessment (NEA) components (8271/P and 8271/C)The entering centre must supervise, authenticate and mark these components.
- Panjabi (8683)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021.
Students will be able to carry forward a GCSE MFL endorsement grade/level from summer 2021 or a previous series or resit them if their school or college decides to offer the opportunity. There’s no requirement for schools and colleges to offer the endorsement this series.June 2022 This qualification is available to private candidates with the following condition:
Speaking test components (8683/SF and 8683/SH)
The entering centre must accept responsibility for supervising and authenticating these non-exam assessments (NEAs)
- Physics (8463)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021. June 2022 This qualification is available to private candidates with the following condition:
Practical skills
The entering centre must make provision for private candidates to carry out all the practical activities specified in section 8 of the specification.
- Polish (8688)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021.
Students will be able to carry forward a GCSE MFL endorsement grade/level from summer 2021 or a previous series or resit them if their school or college decides to offer the opportunity. There’s no requirement for schools and colleges to offer the endorsement this series.June 2022 This qualification is available to private candidates with the following condition:
Speaking test components (8688/SF and 8688/SH)
The entering centre must accept responsibility for supervising and authenticating these non-exam assessments (NEAs)
- Psychology (8182)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021.
June 2022 None – this qualification is available to private candidates.
- Religious Studies A (8062)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021.
June 2022 None – this qualification is available to private candidates.
- Religious Studies B (8063)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021.
June 2022 None – this qualification is available to private candidates.
- Religious Studies (Short Course) (8061)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021.
June 2022 None – this qualification is available to private candidates.
- Sociology (8192)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021.
June 2022 None – this qualification is available to private candidates.
- Spanish (8698)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021.
Students will be able to carry forward a GCSE MFL endorsement grade/level from summer 2021 or a previous series or resit them if their school or college decides to offer the opportunity. There’s no requirement for schools and colleges to offer the endorsement this series.June 2022 This qualification is available to private candidates with the following condition:
Speaking test components (8698/SF and 8698/SH)
The entering centre must accept responsibility for supervising and authenticating these non-exam assessments (NEAs)
- Statistics (8382)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021.
June 2022 None – this qualification is available to private candidates.
- Urdu (8648)
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Exam series Restrictions/special conditions for private candidates Autumn 2021 This specification is available in autumn 2021 as a re-sit only opportunity for candidates who were entered in summer 2021 examination series, or who would have taken the exams in summer 2021.
Students will be able to carry forward a GCSE MFL endorsement grade/level from summer 2021 or a previous series or resit them if their school or college decides to offer the opportunity. There’s no requirement for schools and colleges to offer the endorsement this series.June 2022 This qualification is available to private candidates with the following condition:
Speaking test components (8648/SF and 8648/SH)
The entering centre must accept responsibility for supervising and authenticating these non-exam assessments (NEAs)