Guidance

GCSE and A level differences in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Document and infographic explaining the similarities and differences in qualifications regulated in each jurisdiction.

• From: Ofqual
• Published: 29 November 2016
• Last updated: 15 August 2019
  Show all updates

  1. 15 August 2019

     Updated HTML and PDF attachments to reflect status of reforms in 2019. Moved 'subject-level arrangements' A level and GCSE tables to another page.

  2. 3 August 2017

     Minor update to 'Statement from the qualification regulators on changes to GCSEs, AS and A levels' and 'GCSEs, AS and A levels: common features and key differences infographic'.

  3. 16 December 2016

     Added the document as a PDF in addition to HTML.

  4. 29 November 2016

     First published.

Applies to England, Northern Ireland and Wales

Documents

Statement from the qualification regulators on changes to GCSEs, AS and A levels

Ref: Ofqual/17/6257

HTML

Statement from the qualifications regulators on changes to GCSEs, AS and A levels

Ref: Ofqual/19/6530

PDF, 309 KB, 5 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email publications@ofqual.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GCSEs, AS and A levels: common features and differences infographic 2019

PDF, 1.4 MB, 2 pages

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email publications@ofqual.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GCSEs, AS and A levels: common features and differences infographic Welsh

PDF, 1.4 MB, 2 pages

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email publications@ofqual.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

GCSEs, AS and A levels in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are changing, and will be different in most subjects in each jurisdiction.

Some differences are immediately noticeable, such as the grading scale for GCSEs or the relationship of AS and A levels. Others are less apparent, for example, differences in subject content or assessment methods. All GCSE and A level qualifications continue to share important common features. In particular, they remain of the same size and equally recognise the achievements of the same cohort of students.

The attached documents explain the similarities and differences in these qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.