Guidance and regulation

Information about the new GCSE grades for parents, employers and further and higher education providers.

• From: Department for Education
• Updated: 8 May 2019

A series of 'postcards' outlining the work Ofqual is doing, with an emphasis on current reforms to qualifications in England.

• From: Ofqual
• Updated: 22 February 2019

Grade descriptors for GCSEs graded 9 to 1. Designed to provide an indication of the likely level of performance at grades 2, 5 and 8. 

• From: Ofqual
• Updated: 6 September 2017

• Ancient history: grade descriptors for GCSEs graded 9 to 1

  1. Grade 8 To achieve grade 8, candidates will be able to: demonstrate…

• Ancient languages: grade descriptors for GCSEs graded 9 to 1

  1. Grade 8 1.1 To achieve grade 8 candidates will be able to: complete a…

• Art and design: grade descriptors for GCSEs graded 9 to 1

  1. Grade 8 1.1 To achieve grade 8 candidates will be able to: demonstrate…

• Astronomy: grade descriptors for GCSEs graded 9 to 1

  1. Grade 8 To achieve grade 8, candidates will be able to: demonstrate…

• Business: grade descriptors for GCSEs graded 9 to 1

  1. Grade 8 To achieve grade 8, candidates will be able to: demonstrate…

• Citizenship studies: grade descriptors for GCSEs graded 9 to 1

  1. Grade 8 1.1 To achieve grade 8 candidates will be able to: demonstrate…

• Classical civilisation: grade descriptors for GCSEs graded 9 to 1

  1. Grade 8 To achieve grade 8, candidates will be able to: demonstrate…

• Computer science: grade descriptors for GCSEs graded 9 to 1

  1. Grade 8 1.1 To achieve grade 8 candidates will be able to: demonstrate…

• Dance: grade descriptors for GCSEs graded 9 to 1

  1. Grade 8 1.1 To achieve grade 8 candidates will be able to: demonstrate,…

• Design & technology: grade descriptors for GCSEs graded 9 to 1

  1. Grade 8 To achieve grade 8, candidates will be able to: demonstrate and…

These documents explain how Ofqual handles personal data in relation to the National Reference Test and give background information on how the test works.

• From: Ofqual
• Updated: 24 August 2023

Dates for last teaching, last exams and resits in legacy GCSEs, AS and A levels.

• From: Ofqual
• Updated: 11 August 2017

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

• From: Ofqual
• Updated: 15 August 2019

An infographic for employers.

• From: Ofqual
• Updated: 13 August 2019

A guide for students on how GCSEs, A levels, vocational and technical qualifications are graded and awarded in the academic year 2021 to 2022.

• From: Ofqual
• Updated: 8 March 2022

An overview of what changes will be made to GCSE, AS and A level qualifications between 2015 and 2020.

• From: Ofqual
• Updated: 5 September 2017

A summary of the changes to GCSEs from 2015.

• From: Ofqual
• Updated: 31 March 2017

Details of the reforms being made to GCSEs, AS and A levels.

• From: Ofqual
• Updated: 26 January 2018

A pack of slides with information from Ofqual and the Department for Education that teachers can use to explain the reforms to parents.

• From: Ofqual
• Updated: 10 May 2019

A list of GCSEs, AS levels and A levels that Ofqual have accredited to be taught from September 2015.

• From: Ofqual
• Updated: 10 September 2015

Consultations that Ofqual has run on the reform of qualifications to be taught from September 2015.

• From: Ofqual
• Updated: 24 November 2014

A table showing the status of subjects being accredited for teaching from September 2018.

• From: Ofqual
• Updated: 4 June 2018

A table showing the status of subjects being accredited for teaching from September 2016.

• From: Ofqual
• Updated: 15 July 2016

A table listing the subjects that are not being reformed and the reasons why.

• From: Ofqual
• Updated: 15 December 2015

A table showing the status of subjects being accredited for teaching from September 2017.

• From: Ofqual
• Updated: 8 September 2017