GCSEs

What is a GCSE?

GCSE stands for General Certificate for Secondary Education. It is a qualification that replaced O levels and CSEs in 1988. New vocational GCSEs have been introduced and are explained below:

  • Most pupils take GCSEs in most of their subjects. 
  • It usually takes two years to study for a GCSE. Coursework is part of most GCSEs: work over an extended period, which could include essays, field work reports, art work, making products or investigations. 
  • GCSEs are graded A* to G. The grade your child gets will depend on coursework and exam marks. 
  • Pupils might take exams only once (at the end of year 11, aged 16) or twice (at the end of years 10 and 11).

GCSE tiers

At some time during year 10, when your child is aged 15-16, teachers will decide which tier they should enter in each of their GCSEs.

Each tier has a target range of grades that can be awarded. The aim is for your child to take an exam in which their ability will be tested, without being thrown off course by questions that are much too difficult or much too easy. Some GCSE subjects such as art and design, history, music, PE and religious studies are not tiered. All other GCSEs have tiers. 

Most schools will decide which tier is right for each pupil around the January before the final exam, after the bulk of work has been covered and they have the results of a mock examination.

Science GCSE

There are two ways to take GCSEs in science. Pupils can: 

  • take a double award, which covers the three areas and is equal to two GCSEs
  • take a single award GCSE, which covers all three areas, but in less depth. It is equal to one GCSE

Not all schools offer all three ways. A science GNVQ is also available.

 
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