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All about GCSE Edexcel AQA Ocr
About GCSEs — Clear Guide for Students & Parents
Edexcel • AQA • OCR — Year 10–11 advice, exam tips and revision resources
Understand GCSEs — what matters, and how to prepare
GCSEs determine the next steps in education and early career paths. This page explains how GCSEs work, what exam boards do, the difference between Foundation and Higher, which subjects to pick, and practical revision strategies that actually work.
What are GCSEs?
GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education. Students typically take GCSEs at the end of Year 11 (age 15–16). They are the standard national qualification for secondary education and influence A-Level choices, college entry and much more.
- Students normally study 8–12 subjects.
- Most GCSEs are assessed entirely by exams — coursework is limited.
Exam boards: Edexcel, AQA, OCR
Schools choose exam boards for each subject. Although all follow the national curriculum, past papers, question phrasing and topic order can vary between boards. Preparing with board-specific past papers improves exam readiness.
Quick board notes
- Edexcel: Common in Maths, Business, Economics.
- AQA: Widely used for English and Science.
- OCR: Strong presence in Computer Science & some STEM subjects.
Popular GCSE subjects and choices
Every school differs, but most students study the core subjects plus a mix of options.
Maths (Foundation & Higher)
English Language & Literature
Combined / Triple Science
Computer Science (OCR)
Economics
History • Geography • Languages
Maths & Science pathways
Maths and Science are often tiered or combined. Choose Higher tier if you aim for A-Levels in STEM. Triple Science gives separate GCSEs for Biology, Chemistry and Physics — useful for competitive STEM paths.
Understanding the 9–1 grading system
The 9–1 system replaced A*–G. Aim for grade 5+ in Maths and English for good post-16 options.
- 9 — Exceptional (above old A*)
- 7–8 — A range
- 5 — Strong pass (often required by colleges)
- 4 — Standard pass
Practical revision tips that work
- Start early: short daily sessions beat late cramming.
- Use board-specific past papers: practice under timed conditions.
- Fix weak spots: identify the 3 topics costing you marks and focus there.
- Explain to someone: teaching a topic to a friend shows true understanding.
- Mark schemes matter: learn how examiners award marks, especially for 6-mark answers.
- Mock exams: replicate the exam timetable at home to build stamina.
Frequently asked questions — GCSEs
How do 1–1 GCSE lessons work?
Live lessons (Zoom / Google Meet) focus on weak topics, exam technique and past-paper practice. Tutors give personalised homework and mark answers to mirror exam standards.
Can I switch between Foundation and Higher?
Yes, but schools usually set a deadline for tier entries. Speak to your teacher early in Year 11 to discuss the best option for your targets.
Do you provide past papers for specific boards?
Yes — always practise with Edexcel, AQA or OCR past papers depending on your school’s chosen board.
How many GCSEs should a student take?
Most students take 8–10 GCSEs. The exact number depends on your school and career goals; aim for stronger performance in core subjects (Maths, English, Science).
Can GCSEs be retaken?
Yes — most commonly Maths and English. Some schools and colleges support resits in autumn or the following year.
Need help with GCSE revision?
If you want personalised support — topic-by-topic lessons, past paper practice and exam-mark feedback — book a free trial lesson with one of our GCSE tutors.