Do I choose my own GCSE subjects?

You choose subjects during your options, though schools group them into blocks so some combinations may not be possible. English, maths and usually science are compulsory.

Which exam board will I sit for each subject?

Your school picks the board for each subject, and it can differ from one subject to the next. Check with your teacher if you are unsure which one you are entered for.

Are some GCSE subjects tiered?

Yes. Subjects like maths and the sciences are split into foundation and higher tiers, and your school decides which tier to enter you for based on your progress.

Can I still revise if my school has not confirmed my board yet?

Yes. The core topics for a subject overlap heavily across boards, so you can start on those and refine your revision once the board is confirmed.

Does the subject I pick change how it is assessed?

Yes. Each subject has its own number of papers, its own topic list and its own rules on things like calculators, practicals or spoken assessment.

GCSE

GCSE revision

GCSE revision starts with the subject you want. Pick a subject to see its topics, papers and the way it is assessed.

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course: 6
topics

GCSE

GCSE Biology revision1 course · 6 topics

GCSEs are assessed mostly through written exams sat at the end of the course, with the number and length of papers varying by subject. Some subjects add a practical endorsement, spoken assessment or a piece of non-exam assessment that counts towards the final result. Most subjects are graded on the 9 to 1 scale, where 9 is the highest.

The subject is chosen by the learner, often shaped by school option blocks and the timetable, so what is available to you can depend on your centre. Once a subject is fixed, the school decides which exam board you sit and, in tiered subjects such as maths and the sciences, which tier you are entered for. Learners often assume the board or tier is their call when in practice the centre makes it.

The subject you choose sets the topic list, the shape and number of the papers and how much of the grade comes from anything outside the exam hall. In tiered subjects the tier also fixes the grade range you can reach, so it is worth knowing which board and tier your school has entered you for before you begin revising.

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Common questions

Do I choose my own GCSE subjects?: You choose subjects during your options, though schools group them into blocks so some combinations may not be possible. English, maths and usually science are compulsory.
Which exam board will I sit for each subject?: Your school picks the board for each subject, and it can differ from one subject to the next. Check with your teacher if you are unsure which one you are entered for.
Are some GCSE subjects tiered?: Yes. Subjects like maths and the sciences are split into foundation and higher tiers, and your school decides which tier to enter you for based on your progress.
Can I still revise if my school has not confirmed my board yet?: Yes. The core topics for a subject overlap heavily across boards, so you can start on those and refine your revision once the board is confirmed.
Does the subject I pick change how it is assessed?: Yes. Each subject has its own number of papers, its own topic list and its own rules on things like calculators, practicals or spoken assessment.

Revise for the whole qualification not just one test

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