The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is the standard academic qualification taken by students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, typically at age 16, usually marking the end of compulsory secondary education. Introduced in 1988 to replace the separate GCE Ordinary Level and Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) qualifications, it is examined subject by subject and its results are used both to mark completion of compulsory schooling and to determine entry into further academic or vocational study.
Facts
Classification
Policy TypeAssessment or Standards Policy 1 Education LevelUpper Secondary Education (ISCED 3) 2 Key ProvisionReplaced the former CSE and O-Level qualifications 2 Enacted / Adopted Year Policy Status
Policy Status (category) FAQs
Why was the GCSE created?
It replaced two parallel exam systems with one examination for all at sixteen.
The GCSE came out of the aim of making comprehensive education a reality. The two parallel examination systems at sixteen, the General Certificate of Education and the Certificate of Secondary Education, needed replacing with a single examination for all pupils at that age.
Connections
Associated With
Source Wikipedia: International General Certificate of Secondary Education
Supersedes
Sources
1. Wikipedia: GCSE
Lead paragraph, policy-kind
The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is an academic qualification in a range of subjects taken in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Lead section
The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is an academic qualification in a range of subjects taken in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Supersedes: GCE Ordinary Level, History section
They replaced the former CSE and O-Level qualifications, uniting the two qualifications to allow access to the full range of grades for more pupils.
View the Source2. General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationOpening section
It was introduced in September 1986 and its first exams were taken in 1988.
Infobox, year_started
1988
Introduction of the GCSE
They replaced the former CSE and O-Level qualifications
Description, education-level classification
The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is the standard academic qualification taken by students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, typically at age 16, usually marking the end of compulsory secondary education.
View the Source Wikipedia: International General Certificate of Secondary Education
Associated With: International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), Lead sectionQuote, Associated With: International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), Lead section
is recognised in the United Kingdom as being equivalent to the GCSE for the purposes of recognising prior attainment.
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