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GCSEs ARE THE main qualification taken by 14 to 16 year olds, but are available to anyone who would like to study a subject that interests them. You can take GCSEs in a wide range of academic and 'applied' (work-related) subjects. |
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GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education. GCSEs are highly valued by schools, colleges and employers, so will be useful whatever you are planning to do afterwards.
The qualification mainly involves studying the theory of a subject, combined with some investigative work. Some subjects also involve practical work. GCSEs are usually studied full-time at school or college, taking five terms to complete.
GCSEs are at levels 1 and 2 on the National Qualifications Framework, depending on the grade you get. To achieve high grades, you'll usually be expected to show good levels of attainment in reading and writing. Grades D-G are at level 1, Grades A*-C are at level 2.
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With GCSEs, you are assessed mainly on written exams, plus elements of coursework that you complete throughout the course. Coursework can include projects, fieldwork, artwork, experiments or investigations. Some subjects, like art and design, have more coursework and fewer exams.
Some GCSE courses are made up of units; for these, you take exams at the end of each unit. Other GCSEs involve exams at the end of course.
For some subjects, everyone sits the same exam. For other subjects, you have a choice of two tiers: 'higher' or 'foundation'. Each tier leads to a different range of grades. Your subject teacher normally decides which tier is best for you.
Exams usually take place in January and May/June each year.
When determining marks, examiners work out how many 'raw marks' you need to get a certain grade. If you have taken a GCSE made up of units, your results slip may show a points score on the uniform mark scale (UMS). The UMS is a system examiners use to combine different unit marks to get your overall GCSE grade.
GCSEs are graded A* to G and U (unclassified). Higher tier exams lead to grades A* to D. Foundation tier exams lead to grades C to G.
GCSE results are published in March and August each year.
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GCSEs are the main qualification taken by 14 to 16 year olds, but are available to anyone who would like to study a subject that interests them.
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What subjects are available? |
You can take GCSEs in a wide range of academic and 'applied' (work-related) subjects.
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Getting a GCSE can lead to a number of routes: for example, work, further study or an Apprenticeship.
If you complete GCSEs at level 1, you could move on to other courses or work-based training at levels 1 or 2.
Completing GCSEs at level 2 can lead to other level 2 courses and level 3 courses of all types. However, sometimes if you want to take a level 3 course (such as an A-level), you'll be expected to have a GCSE in the same subject.
If you're thinking about higher education, you may need GCSEs in certain subjects. Most universities and colleges will ask for five GCSEs grades A* to C, including English and maths (as well as A-levels or equivalent qualifications).
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