What are the GCSE exams?

GCSEs (General Certificates of Secondary Education) are academic qualifications taken by students in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (a slightly different system exists in Scotland). They are typically taken by students around the age of 16, at the end of their compulsory secondary education.

Essentially, GCSEs are a series of exams and coursework assessments designed to test a student's knowledge and understanding across a range of subjects. These subjects can include:

* Core subjects: These are typically compulsory and include English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, and Science (often broken down into Biology, Chemistry, and Physics).

* Optional subjects: Students choose additional subjects based on their interests and future aspirations, which might include subjects like History, Geography, Languages (French, Spanish, German etc.), Art, Design & Technology, Music, and many others.

The results are graded, typically using a numbered scale from 9 (highest) to 1 (lowest), with a U (ungraded) also possible. These grades are crucial for progressing to further education (e.g., A-Levels, college courses) or entering the workforce. The exams are set and marked by exam boards such as AQA, Edexcel, OCR, and WJEC/Eduqas.