Understanding GCSE

[Spacemoonpf]

Hi all trying to understand GCSE. Am I correct to say they have to pass maths, English (lit and language), history, sciences (meaning a child has to pass 5 subjects to go to A level as a standard)? If a child is doing combines science does it count as 3 subjects scored separately?

Combined science is worth two GCSEs.

The only ones you have pass is maths and english language, everything else is optional, but most colleges will want science. As historian is an option subject it would be odd for a college to demand it (apart from those wishing to do a-level history).

Yeh if you don’t pass (grade 4+) maths and either Eng lang or Eng lit you need to retake. If a long way below a 4, Functional Skills quals may be offered.

For many jobs or apprenticeships maths and Eng are needed.

Sixth form settings often ask for a certain number of passes, at varying levels, and 5/6/7 in chosen A levels, depending on the setting. My dcs’ school as an example needed 6s in A level subjects and 4 in eng and maths.

Double science is 2 GCSEs. It’s not needed as such for sixth form unless studying science. Edited to add history is not required for sixth form. Unless studying history. And tbh not even then.

I would say tho, if a student is struggling to gain 5 passes then the academic challenge of A levels is perhaps not for them. That’s fine, there are other options.

They usually sit 8-10 GCSEs.
To do A levels you probably need to be getting more 6s and above than 5s or below.

A 4 or higher is a (level 2) pass
A 3 or below is generally referred to as a fail but is actually a level 1pass.

If you don't go on to A levels there are vocational qualifications. At A level equivalent there are BTECs and T levels and you can go on to uni from these. You need approx 5 GCSE passes to do these.
If you don't get enough you can do a level2 or level 1 course at college.

.. or do an apprenticeship.

Our school sixth form asks for 5 or 6 in the subjects you want to study and 5 in maths, english and science
If you want to do maths, you must have a 7 in maths GCSE and further maths, you need an 8 at GCSE!

You have a son in Y10, yes? So already almost half way through his courses?
You should check with the sixth form at school (if there is one) or check local college options for entry requirements, as they differ.
At my kids’ state school they need a 6 in subject they want to do A levels in, but a 7 if they want to go Maths.

A basic rule of thumb is that you need 5 GCSEs including English & Maths at Grade 4 or above.

6th forms have different requirements depending on whether they just do A Levels, or a mix of A Levels and BTECs and whether they are sought after or not.

DD's comp ask for 6 including English and Maths at grades 7-9. Others only ask for 6 at grade 5-9.

Generally you want to be getting at least a 6 to even consider an A level in the subject.

Science is generally either Triple = 3 GCSEs, or Combined = 2 GCSEs but across all 3 sciences. Some independent schools offer different versions where you can just do one science (oh how I wish the state sector did too!)