GCSE, AS and A level reforms in England - resources for teachers - slide pack

Sep 5, 2026

A teacher-focused slide pack explains why and how GCSEs, AS and A levels in England are being reformed, including key changes to content difficulty, assessment structure, and qualifications’ grading approach. It outlines timelines for when reforms affect GCSE, AS and A level students across multiple exam years, and specifies which subjects are included at each stage. It also covers reformed GCSE features such as new 9–1 grading, tiering limits, practical science adjustments, resits, and changes to marking, reviews and appeals, plus guidance for schools.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages30

Reading Time1 h 16 min

AccessFree to download

What is happening, when?

Why and how are GCSEs, AS and A levels changing?

When do these reforms affect GCSE students?

When do these reforms affect AS and A level students?

Reformed GCSEs

Content, structure and assessment

Tiering and grading

What does the GCSE ‘good pass’ mean?

GCSE, AS and A level reforms in England Contents ■ What is happening, when? ■ Reformed GCSEs ■ Reformed AS and A levels ■ Changes to practical science ■ Resits ■ Information about my school/college ■ Changes to marking, reviews and appeals ■ Further information What is happening, when? Why and how are GCSEs, AS and A levels changing? GCSEs and A levels in England are being reformed, to match the best systems in the world and keep pace with universities’ and employers’ demands. ■ GCSE content will be more challenging but still suitable for all abilities ■ GCSEs will be graded on a new scale of 9 to 1 rather than A* to G as now, with 9 the highest grade, to distinguish clearly between the reformed and unreformed qualifications ■ A levels will allow more time for studying and better prepare students for university ■ AS levels will be stand alone qualifications to reduce exam burden on students and teachers. When do these reforms affect GCSE students? | Level | Start course in 2015, exams 2017 | Start course in 2016, exams 2018 | Start course in 2017, exams 2019 | Start course in 2018, exams 2020 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | GCSE | English literature, English language and maths only. | English and maths plus…
Art and design, biology, chemistry, citizenship studies (and short course), combined science, computer science, dance, drama, food preparation and nutrition, French, geography, German, classical Greek, history, Latin, music, physical education, physics, religious studies (including short course), and Spanish. | 2015 and 2016 subjects plus…
Ancient history, Arabic, astronomy, Bengali, business, Chinese, classical civilisation, design and technology, economics, electronics, engineering, film studies, geology, Italian, Japanese, media studies, modern Greek, modern Hebrew, Panjabi, PE short course, Polish, psychology, Russian, sociology, statistics, and Urdu. | All previous subjects plus
Gujarati, biblical Hebrew, Persian, Portuguese, and Turkish. | When do these reforms affect AS and A level students? | Level | Start course in 2015, A level exams 2017, AS level exams 2016 | Start course in 2016, A level exams 2018, AS level exams 2017 | Start course in 2017, A level exams 2019, AS level exams in 2018 | Start course in 2018, A level exams 2020; no AS level exams available in these subjects | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | AS andA Level | Art and design, biology, business, chemistry, computer science, economics, English language, English language and literature, English literature, history, physics, psychology, and sociology. | 2015 subjects plus…
Dance, drama and theatre, French, geography, German, classical Greek, Latin, music, physical education, religious studies and Spanish. | 2015 and 2016 subjects plus…
Accounting, ancient history, archaeology, Chinese, classical civilisation, design and technology, electronics, environmental science, film studies, further maths, geology, history of art, Italian, law, maths, media studies, music technology, philosophy, politics, Russian, and statistics. | All previous subjects plus
Arabic, Bengali, biblical Hebrew, Gujarati, modern Greek, modern Hebrew, Japanese, Panjabi, Persian, Portuguese Polish, Turkish, and Urdu. | Reformed GCSEs ■ Content New and more challenging content ■ Structure All exams at the end of the course ■ Assessment Mainly by examination Non-exam assessment only where necessary ■ Tiering Foundation and higher tier permitted only in maths, science and modern foreign languages ■ Grading New numbered scale (9 to 1 plus U ), 9 is the highest New Government ‘good pass’ set at grade 5 Reformed GCSEs New GCSE grading structure In the first year, the same proportion of students will as currently get A and above achieve a grade 7 and above achieve a grade 4 and above as currently get C and above achieve a grade 1 and above as currently get G and above What does the GCSE ‘good

FAQs

Why are GCSEs, AS and A levels in England being reformed?

They are changing to match the best systems and keep pace with universities’ and employers’ demands. The reforms aim to improve study time and adjust how qualifications are delivered and assessed.

How will GCSE grading change in the reformed qualifications?

GCSEs will use a new numbered scale from 9 to 1 (with U). Grade 9 is the highest, replacing the former A* to G scale.

What does a ‘good pass’ mean for reformed GCSEs?

The Government’s definition is grade 5. Grade 5 is set to be awarded to about the top third of pupils achieving the equivalent of a grade C, making it fewer than in previous years.

Sep 5, 2026

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