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Questions and Answers
In which countries is the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) taken?
In which countries is the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) taken?
Which certificate is used by state schools in Scotland?
Which certificate is used by state schools in Scotland?
What subjects are included in the English Baccalaureate for England?
What subjects are included in the English Baccalaureate for England?
When do students typically start studying for GCSE examinations?
When do students typically start studying for GCSE examinations?
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What is the reason for the move to a numerical grading system for GCSEs?
What is the reason for the move to a numerical grading system for GCSEs?
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What happened to the old single-award 'science' and 'additional science' options in GCSE Science?
What happened to the old single-award 'science' and 'additional science' options in GCSE Science?
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What is the reason for dissolving 'umbrella' GCSEs such as 'humanities', 'performing arts', and 'expressive arts'?
What is the reason for dissolving 'umbrella' GCSEs such as 'humanities', 'performing arts', and 'expressive arts'?
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What was the impact of the reforms on GCSE examinations in Wales and Northern Ireland?
What was the impact of the reforms on GCSE examinations in Wales and Northern Ireland?
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What was the decision made by Minister of Education, Peter Wier, in Northern Ireland in 2016?
What was the decision made by Minister of Education, Peter Wier, in Northern Ireland in 2016?
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What was the impact of the reforms on the availability of certain subjects and qualifications in Wales and Northern Ireland?
What was the impact of the reforms on the availability of certain subjects and qualifications in Wales and Northern Ireland?
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What happened to a variety of low-uptake qualifications and qualifications with significant overlap?
What happened to a variety of low-uptake qualifications and qualifications with significant overlap?
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What were the changes in the GCSE examinations for English and mathematics?
What were the changes in the GCSE examinations for English and mathematics?
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What was the grading scale for O-Levels?
What was the grading scale for O-Levels?
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When were GCSEs introduced?
When were GCSEs introduced?
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What change was made to GCSE qualifications under the Conservative government of David Cameron?
What change was made to GCSE qualifications under the Conservative government of David Cameron?
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What differentiated the A* grade from grade A in GCSEs?
What differentiated the A* grade from grade A in GCSEs?
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What did the CSE broadly cover in terms of grades?
What did the CSE broadly cover in terms of grades?
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What was the initial grading scale for GCSEs?
What was the initial grading scale for GCSEs?
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What was the range of subjects offered and the grading of GCSE examinations subject to over time?
What was the range of subjects offered and the grading of GCSE examinations subject to over time?
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When was the A* grade added to GCSEs?
When was the A* grade added to GCSEs?
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What did the O-Level broadly cover in terms of grades?
What did the O-Level broadly cover in terms of grades?
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What reforms were included between 2005 and 2010 for GCSEs?
What reforms were included between 2005 and 2010 for GCSEs?
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What was the grading scale for CSEs?
What was the grading scale for CSEs?
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What were the initial mathematics papers set in for GCSEs?
What were the initial mathematics papers set in for GCSEs?
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GCSE examinations in English and mathematics were reformed with the 2015 syllabus publications, with these first examinations taking places in ______
GCSE examinations in English and mathematics were reformed with the 2015 syllabus publications, with these first examinations taking places in ______
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Other changes include the move to a ______ grading system, to differentiate the new qualifications from the old-style letter-graded GCSEs
Other changes include the move to a ______ grading system, to differentiate the new qualifications from the old-style letter-graded GCSEs
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A range of new GCSE subjects were also introduced for students to study from 2017, 2018, 2019, and ______
A range of new GCSE subjects were also introduced for students to study from 2017, 2018, 2019, and ______
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In Northern Ireland, a decision was taken by Minister of Education, Peter Wier (DUP), in 2016 to align the A* Grade to the 9 Grade of the English reformed qualifications. The first award of the new A* grade being in ______
In Northern Ireland, a decision was taken by Minister of Education, Peter Wier (DUP), in 2016 to align the A* Grade to the 9 Grade of the English reformed qualifications. The first award of the new A* grade being in ______
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Some subjects will retain coursework on a non-assessed basis, with the completion of certain experiments in science subjects being assumed in examinations, and teacher reporting of spoken language participation for English GCSEs as a separate ______
Some subjects will retain coursework on a non-assessed basis, with the completion of certain experiments in science subjects being assumed in examinations, and teacher reporting of spoken language participation for English GCSEs as a separate ______
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For GCSE Science, the old single-award 'science' and 'additional science' options are no longer available, being replaced with a double award 'combined science' option (graded on the scale 9–9 to 1–1 and equivalent to 2 ______)
For GCSE Science, the old single-award 'science' and 'additional science' options are no longer available, being replaced with a double award 'combined science' option (graded on the scale 9–9 to 1–1 and equivalent to 2 ______)
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However, due to legislative requirements for comparability between GCSEs in the three countries, and allowances for certain subjects and qualifications to be available in Wales and Northern Ireland, some 9–1 qualifications will be available, and the other changes are mostly adopted in these countries as ______
However, due to legislative requirements for comparability between GCSEs in the three countries, and allowances for certain subjects and qualifications to be available in Wales and Northern Ireland, some 9–1 qualifications will be available, and the other changes are mostly adopted in these countries as ______
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Finally, several 'umbrella' GCSEs such as 'humanities', 'performing arts', and 'expressive arts' are dissolved, with those wishing to study those subjects needing to take separate qualifications in the ______ subjects
Finally, several 'umbrella' GCSEs such as 'humanities', 'performing arts', and 'expressive arts' are dissolved, with those wishing to study those subjects needing to take separate qualifications in the ______ subjects
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______ were graded on a letter scale from A to G, with a C roughly equivalent to O-Level Grade C
______ were graded on a letter scale from A to G, with a C roughly equivalent to O-Level Grade C
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Initially, ______ papers were set in three tiers: Higher, Intermediate, and Foundation
Initially, ______ papers were set in three tiers: Higher, Intermediate, and Foundation
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In 1994, the ______ grade was added above grade A to differentiate attainment at the highest end
In 1994, the ______ grade was added above grade A to differentiate attainment at the highest end
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Before ______, students took CSE or O-Level exams in various subjects
Before ______, students took CSE or O-Level exams in various subjects
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Between 2005 and 2010, ______ included increasing modularity and changing non-examination assessment
Between 2005 and 2010, ______ included increasing modularity and changing non-examination assessment
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A large-scale reform program began in ______ in 2015, changing marking criteria and syllabi for most subjects
A large-scale reform program began in ______ in 2015, changing marking criteria and syllabi for most subjects
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______ broadly covered G______ grades C-G or 4–1, O-Level covered grades A*-C or 9–4
______ broadly covered G______ grades C-G or 4–1, O-Level covered grades A*-C or 9–4
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O-Levels were graded on a scale from A to ______, with a U grade below that
O-Levels were graded on a scale from A to ______, with a U grade below that
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The ______ government of David Cameron made various changes to GCSE qualifications
The ______ government of David Cameron made various changes to GCSE qualifications
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Over time, the range of subjects offered and the grading of GCSE examinations has ______
Over time, the range of subjects offered and the grading of GCSE examinations has ______
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O-Level covered ______ A*-C or 9–4
O-Level covered ______ A*-C or 9–4
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Under the Conservative ______ of David Cameron, various changes were made to GCSE qualifications
Under the Conservative ______ of David Cameron, various changes were made to GCSE qualifications
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GCSEs were introduced in ______ 1986, replacing CSE and O-Level qualifications
GCSEs were introduced in ______ 1986, replacing CSE and O-Level qualifications
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Each GCSE qualification is offered in a specific school subject provided by several examination boards, such as English literature, English language, mathematics, science, history, geography, art and design, design and technology, business studies, classical civilisation, drama, music, ______ languages, etc.
Each GCSE qualification is offered in a specific school subject provided by several examination boards, such as English literature, English language, mathematics, science, history, geography, art and design, design and technology, business studies, classical civilisation, drama, music, ______ languages, etc.
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The Department for Education has drawn up a list of preferred subjects known as the English Baccalaureate for England on the results in eight GCSEs including English, mathematics, the sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, computer science), history, geography, and an ancient or modern ______ language.
The Department for Education has drawn up a list of preferred subjects known as the English Baccalaureate for England on the results in eight GCSEs including English, mathematics, the sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, computer science), history, geography, and an ancient or modern ______ language.
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Studies for GCSE examinations take place over a period of two or three academic years (depending upon the subject, school, and exam board), starting in Year 9 or Year 10 for the majority of students, with examinations being sat at the end of Year 11 in England and ______.
Studies for GCSE examinations take place over a period of two or three academic years (depending upon the subject, school, and exam board), starting in Year 9 or Year 10 for the majority of students, with examinations being sat at the end of Year 11 in England and ______.
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The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is an academic qualification in a range of particular subjects, taken in ______, Wales, and Northern Ireland. State schools in Scotland use the Scottish Qualifications Certificate instead. However, private schools in Scotland often choose to follow the GCSE system in ______.
The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is an academic qualification in a range of particular subjects, taken in ______, Wales, and Northern Ireland. State schools in Scotland use the Scottish Qualifications Certificate instead. However, private schools in Scotland often choose to follow the GCSE system in ______.
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Study Notes
History and Evolution of GCSE Qualifications
- Before GCSEs, students took CSE or O-Level exams in various subjects
- CSE broadly covered GCSE grades C-G or 4–1, O-Level covered grades A*-C or 9–4
- O-Levels were graded on a scale from A to E, with a U grade below that
- CSE was graded on a numerical scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being the highest
- GCSEs were introduced in September 1986, replacing CSE and O-Level qualifications
- GCSEs were graded on a letter scale from A to G, with a C roughly equivalent to O-Level Grade C
- Over time, the range of subjects offered and the grading of GCSE examinations has changed
- In 1994, the A* grade was added above grade A to differentiate attainment at the highest end
- Initially, mathematics papers were set in three tiers: Higher, Intermediate, and Foundation
- Between 2005 and 2010, reforms included increasing modularity and changing non-examination assessment
- Under the Conservative government of David Cameron, various changes were made to GCSE qualifications
- A large-scale reform program began in England in 2015, changing marking criteria and syllabi for most subjects
History and Evolution of GCSE Qualifications
- Before GCSEs, students took CSE or O-Level exams in various subjects
- CSE broadly covered GCSE grades C-G or 4–1, O-Level covered grades A*-C or 9–4
- O-Levels were graded on a scale from A to E, with a U grade below that
- CSE was graded on a numerical scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being the highest
- GCSEs were introduced in September 1986, replacing CSE and O-Level qualifications
- GCSEs were graded on a letter scale from A to G, with a C roughly equivalent to O-Level Grade C
- Over time, the range of subjects offered and the grading of GCSE examinations has changed
- In 1994, the A* grade was added above grade A to differentiate attainment at the highest end
- Initially, mathematics papers were set in three tiers: Higher, Intermediate, and Foundation
- Between 2005 and 2010, reforms included increasing modularity and changing non-examination assessment
- Under the Conservative government of David Cameron, various changes were made to GCSE qualifications
- A large-scale reform program began in England in 2015, changing marking criteria and syllabi for most subjects
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Description
Test your knowledge of the history and evolution of GCSE qualifications with this quiz. Explore the transition from CSE and O-Level exams to the introduction of GCSEs in 1986, the grading scales, reforms, and changes over time.
