GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education. Exams for this qualification are normally sat by 15- to 18-year-olds in schools and colleges across the country, but they are available to anyone who would like to gain a qualification in a subject they are interested in.

GCSEs can be taken in over 45 subjects from English and mathematics to economics, business studies and psychology. There are also GCSEs in vocational subjects that relate to work in particular vocation areas.

QCA has developed a student guide to the GCSE system, which is available online and in hard copy. In addition to the guide, our very own ‘exams doctor’ is available to answer questions about the GCSE system and provide study hints and tips during the exam season.

Links to GCSEs in vocational subjects and to the ‘exams doctor’ can be accessed from this page.