What you need to know about GCSEs
A major part of the education system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for decades – no matter what secondary school you attend, you’ll likely have heard of or soon learn more about GCSEs. An essential part of Key Stage 4, the academic qualification has been taken by millions of students through the years, preparing them for their next steps in higher education or beyond.
There are a number of GCSE options you can take. Some core subjects are compulsory, whereas others, depending on your school, you can make your own decision to study.
But when did they originate and why are they so important? Here, BBC Bitesize takes a closer look at GCSEs, from when they started to what to expect in 2026.
What is a GCSE and what does it stand for?
A GCSE is an academic qualification taken by teenagers, usually around the age of 15 and 16, to mark their graduation from the Key Stage 4 phase of secondary education in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. In Scotland, GCSEs are not common, and the closest equivalent is a National 5 qualification.
GCSE – which stands for the General Certificate of Secondary Education - is usually taken by students in Year 10 and 11 in England. Assessing your knowledge and skills, you can gain a GCSE qualification in various subjects, from Spanish to maths to history, art, computer science, religious studies, P.E. (physical education) and many more.
A great opportunity to explore what you’re interested in, when you choose your options varies depending on your school. Some secondary school students choose their options in Year 9, while other schools will ask you to start thinking about them a bit earlier.
What year did GCSEs start?
It may feel like they’ve been around for much longer – but pupils didn’t start taking GCSEs until the 1980s.
Introduced in September 1986, the first GCSE exams were not taken until 1988. Announced in 1984 by then Education Secretary Sir Keith Joseph, at the time GCSEs were a new system that “put all children on the same scale on a range of seven grades from A to G.”
What came before GCSEs?
While GCSEs have been a part of secondary education for decades now - your parents, grandparents and even teachers will remember their qualifications being different during their time at school. When GCSEs were introduced in the 1980s, it saw O-Level and CSE exams be abolished.
In 1984, Education Secretary Sir Keith Joseph said: “The system we propose will be tougher, but clearer and fairer. It will be more intelligible to users, better than O Levels, and better than CSE. It will stretch the able more and stretch the average more."
The General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level, or O Levels for short, were academic qualifications introduced in the 1950s. An O Level would, like GCSEs, prepare you for the future and further education, acting as a pathway to A-levels (Advanced Level), which students usually take in their later teens.
The Certificate of Secondary Education, also known as a CSE, was developed in the 1960s, so students could take formal exams and receive certificates at the end to prove they had studied to that level of education. Assessed by a combination of coursework and exams, pupils could gain CSEs in both academic and vocational subjects.
Even today, taking A-levels into higher education is not the only route to success. A vocational qualification, which blends theory and practical learning, can often be the best of both worlds.
What GCSE subjects do I have to take?
Usually, you can expect to take around nine subjects at GCSE – a number being compulsory subjects and others you will have the option to choose. In England, it is compulsory to take what is known as the core GCSE subjects, which are English, maths and science.
English language is compulsory in all schools and so is English literature in most schools in England, but there can exceptions. When it comes to science, it may be split into the three separate sciences (biology, chemistry and physics) or into two combined science GCSEs.
Sometimes, schools have other subjects that are compulsory, so it is always best to check before you start your GCSE qualifications. While the core GCSE subject must be done by all in England, you can also have fun choosing other subjects that you love.
You could study a modern foreign language, delve deeper into a humanity subject or get creative in the arts. Many schools also offer GCSEs in technical subjects and while all students must do PE in years 10 and 11, you can also take it as a GCSE option.
How are GCSEs graded?
How GCSEs are graded has changed a fair bit in recent years. In England, Northern Ireland and Wales, GCSEs are graded differently and in Scotland, there is a different qualification system, known as SQAs (Scottish Qualifications Authority.
All GCSE subjects in England have been graded 1-9 since 2020, replacing the old A-G system. In the new system, 9 is the highest grade and 1 being the lowest, while U means "ungraded".
In Northern Ireland, grades are A* to G, with a new C* grade being introduced in 2019. Welsh GCSEs are graded A* to G – but some GCSEs are modular, meaning you have assessments throughout the year, whilst other GCSEs are linear, meaning you take all exams at the end of the course.
Why do I need GCSEs?
Part of the National Curriculum, GCSEs assess your knowledge and skills in various subject areas and are very much part of secondary school life. Choosing your options or officially starting your GCSEs can feel scary at first – but it is a great opportunity to shape your own future and pursue your passions and interests.
The qualifications are essential to further education and career development - and everything you learn and pick up along the way will help get you one step closer to your next chapter and dreams.
When do GCSEs start in 2026?
GCSE exams in 2026 are scheduled to start from the week commencing Monday, 4 May and finish on Friday, 26 June and of course, lots of work and preparation will start ahead of this.
However, you should use these dates as a general guide. These are the most up-to-date exam dates set by each exam board, but they might change closer to the exam period.
But don’t worry, as BBC Bitesize has you covered when it comes to learning, revision and exam resources and all things GCSEs. You can find out more here.
This article was written in November 2025
