What is the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)?
Q: What is the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)?
A: The GCSE is a set of exams taken in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and other British territories. They are usually taken by students aged 15-16 after two years of study.
Q: Can students take their GCSEs early?
A: Yes, some students can take their exams early if their teachers think the students are capable.
Q: How many subjects do most students taking their GCSEs study?
A: Most students taking their GCSEs study between 5 and 25 subjects.
Q: Are there any mandatory subjects for all pupils to study until they are 15-16?
A: Yes, all pupils have to study English, mathematics and science until they are 15-16.
Q: Is it compulsory for pupils to take the GCSE exams?
A: No, it is not compulsory for pupils to take the GCSE exams but the large majority do so. In Wales, students must also study Welsh until they are 14.
Q: What grades must a pupil pass in order to move on to A-levels?
A: Most schools require that a pupil passes 5 or more GCSE exams at grades 4 or 5 or above before they can move on to study A-levels.
Q: When were the 2020 GCSE exams cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic?
A: The 2020 GCSE exams were cancelled for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic
