Online GCSE Preparation
An intensive summer GCSE prep program Personalized for all students, Intensive Crash Course, Exhaustive Course, Critical Reading, Writing and Final Test Strategy

 

GCSE

• GCSE Maths AQA
• GCSE Maths Edexcel
• GCSE Maths OCR
• GCSE Science AQA
• GCSE Science Edexcel
• GCSE Science OCR

The General Board of Secondary Education is a standard academic qualification in numerous subjects in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Generally taken by students of the age group 15-16 years, the international version of this examination is known as I.G.C.S.E.  In Secondary schools, G.C.S.E is available in a variety of subjects and these subjects are decided by the students themselves in the year 9. Since the beginning of Class 10^th, the students can take up these subjects as their courses of study.

 

The final two years of compulsory schooling is officially termed as Key Stage 4 and incorporates GCSEs in maintained schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland - normally known as Year 10 and Year 11 in England and Wales, and Year 11 and Year 12 in Northern Ireland, when pupils are aged between 14 and 16. GCSEs are not compulsory examinations, however, they are the most common and popular examinations. English, Mathematics, Science, Religious Education and physical education are a part of curriculum during Key Stage 4 in state schools. In England and Northern Ireland, information communication technology (ICT), and citizenship are also a part of national curriculum (in state schools as well). Welsh (as a first/ second language) is studied in Wales.

 

IGCSE is the international version of GCSE and can be taken anywhere in the world, and which incorporates certain additional options as well. For instance, more options are provided relating to coursework and the language used. Students undertaking GCSEs in secondary education can combine their degree with other qualifications, such as BTECs, the DiDA, or diplomas. Education to GCSE level is often a requisite for students who study for A-levels, which in turn is a common requirement for entry to university. Students can choose varied number of subjects for their GCSEs. There are some 50 different subjects that are available to be taken and thus students have a lot of flexibility in choosing subjects they are good at. Most GCSE courses are worth one GCSE, however, there are certain subjects which are worth half GCSE or two GCSE.

 

Five GCSE Boards provide the facility of GCSEs in England namely:

• Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA)
• Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment (CCEA)
• Edexcel
• Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations (OCR)
• Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC)

They specify the course content, exam questions, assess the projects and mark papers. Schools can choose one subject from one of these boards and thus a student can do different subjects from different boards. Throughout GCSE a student has to undergo controlled assessment and the time and date can be decided by consulting the teacher. There is a provision for access arrangement as well wherein students with certain disabilities or language barrier are provided with certain aid tools to finish off their exam paper. There is a provision for getting one's paper re-evaluated as well if one is not satisfied with the generated marks.

 

Grading

 

GSCE courses span 2 years and at the end of each, student sits for its exam. The pass grades, from highest to lowest are: A*, A, B, C, D, E, F and G. However, only grades A* to C are given substantial credit by most employers.

GCSE is a part of the National Qualifications Framework. A GCSE with grades lying between A*-C is a level 2 qualification while with grades between D-G qualify for level 1.

Failing students are awarded U grade and due to non-completion of certain components of the course, a student can be awarded X grade as well.

 

	List of Courses
	Basic compulsory subjects English Mathematics Science (students can study Science in many different ways) Languages Bengali Chinese (Cantonese or Mandarin) Dutch French German Modern Greek Gujarati Modern Hebrew Hindi Indonesian Irish Italian Japanese Persian Polish Portuguese Maltese Punjabi Russian Spanish Turkish Urdu Welsh Classical Languages Ancient Greek Biblical Hebrew Latin Technology Design and Technology CAD / CAM Electronics Engineering and Manufacturing Food Technology Graphic Products Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Applied ICT (Double Award) Product Design Electronics with Resistant Materials Resistant Materials Resistant Materials Systems and Control Technology Textiles		Humanities Classical Civilization Economics Buddhism Geography Geology History Modern World Economic and Social School's History Project Hinduism Humanities Islam Judaism Philosophy & Ethics Religious Ethics Sikhism People and society-related subjects Citizenship (PSE) Health and Social Care (Double Award) Home Economics: Child Development Home Economics: Food and Nutrition Law Psychology Social Sciences Sociology Expressive arts Applied Art and Design (Double Award) Art and Design Ceramics Dance Design Drama Expressive Arts Fashion Design Graphics Film studies Media Students Moving Arts Music Photography Sculpture Others Additional Mathematics Applied Business (Double Award) Archaeology Astronomy Business Studies Business and Communication Systems General Studies Human Biology Human Physiology and Health Nautical Studies Outdoor Pursuits Physical Education Rural and Agricultural Science Sports Studies Food technology Statistics

 

 

Tiers

In a number of subjects, two different tiers of education are available:

• Higher, where students can achieve grades A*-D
• Foundation, where they can achieve grades C-G

In case of any failure to obtain a G grade (at Foundation level) or D grade (at higher level), a student is awarded a U grade or an E grade respectively. In non-tiered subjects, such as History, attainment of grades is solely decided by the examination paper. Any coursework component also allows candidates to achieve any grade.

 

GCSE Mathematics was changed from a 3-tier system (2006) - Foundation (grades D-G), Intermediate (grades B-E) and Higher (grades A*-C) - to the standard 2-tier system - Foundation (grades C-G) and Higher (grades A*-D).

 

Future Studies

 

Five or more A*-C grades (inclusive of English & Mathematics) is often a necessity for taking A-levels in the school sixth form, at a sixth form college or at a college pursuing higher education (after secondary school). Choice of subject at A level is affected by courses taken at secondary school and are largely determined by them. More often than not, a C grade is a must. Most universities typically require a C or better in English and Mathematics, irrespective of student's performance at A-level or Foundation Degree course (after leaving school). In a case of failure to obtain C in Mathematics & English, a student may have to retake the GCSE examination.