What is a GCSE? Which grades count and when are they taken?

Who does this apply to?

• This is general information. It does not assess anyone's personal situation. It applies to England. It is based on the GOV.UK pages "National curriculum" and "What qualification levels mean" (October 2026).

What is a GCSE?

• A GCSE is a national exam taken in the last two years of secondary school (Key Stage 4: Years 10 and 11, ages 14-16). GOV.UK says some pupils take part of their GCSEs in Year 10; most take them in Year 11. The page also mentions other national tests.

Grades and levels

• GCSE grades run from 9 to 1; the old system used letters (A* to G).
• On the GOV.UK list of qualification levels: grades 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 (or A*, A, B, C) are Level 2. Grades 3, 2, 1 (or D to G) are Level 1.
• A levels and T Levels are Level 3, a bachelor's degree is Level 6, a master's degree is Level 7.

After GCSEs

• After leaving school at 16, a young person must stay in full-time education, start an apprenticeship or do part-time education alongside work until 18. Which route needs which GCSE grades depends on the school, college or employer.
• For university applications UCAS asks you to list all qualifications (GCSEs included) in your education history; which GCSE grades a university wants varies from course to course.

For students coming from Türkiye

• GCSEs are part of the school system in England. Which GCSEs a student who arrives part-way through Turkish high school will take is decided by the school. There is no official table in this post that equates a Turkish subject or grade to a GCSE; for recognition see the later posts and UK ENIC.

Points to watch

• Official pages change. This post is a general summary.

What can you do?

• Read Key Stage 4 on National curriculum.
• See the levels on List of qualification levels.