GCSE Exam Boards

GCSE Exam Boards: A Comprehensive Guide to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC & CCEA

Navigating the world of GCSE exam boards can be confusing for students and parents. In the UK, different boards set the exams and curricula for GCSE subjects – and while all boards lead to the same qualifications, each has its own style and nuances. This guide demystifies what exam boards are, compares the major boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, and CCEA) in terms of subjects offered, grading systems, and assessment methods, and offers practical tips on choosing or coping with different boards. By understanding these differences, families can better prepare for exams and make informed decisions – and ensure that revision or tutoring is tailored to the right specification.

As you read, remember that whatever the board, the goal is the same: helping students achieve GCSE success. Our expert tutors are familiar with all exam boards and can provide support specific to each.

What Are GCSE Exam Boards?

GCSE exam boards are organisations responsible for developing the subject syllabuses (specifications), setting and marking exam papers, and awarding grades for GCSE qualifications. In other words, an exam board defines what content is covered in a GCSE course and how it’s assessed. In England, exam boards must be accredited by the government regulator Ofqual to ensure their qualifications meet national standards. This means that while each board’s curriculum and exam style may vary, they all adhere to the same core requirements set by the Department for Education.

How do exam boards differ? Each exam board creates its own GCSE specifications for each subject – which can lead to variations in topics, textbooks, and exam questions. For example, one board might include a particular poetry anthology in GCSE English Literature while another board uses a different set of poems. Similarly, exam format can differ: one board’s Geography paper might have more multiple-choice questions, whereas another’s might rely more on short answers or case-study essays. Despite these differences, all boards are required to maintain comparable standards. In fact, schools often choose an exam board based on which syllabus or exam style they feel best suits their students, since every board’s GCSE is considered equivalent in value. Schools decide which exam board to use for each subject – decisions can depend on factors like the number of exam papers, coursework components, or simply teacher preference. It’s not uncommon for a single school to use multiple exam boards (AQA for one subject, Edexcel for another, etc.) depending on which specification they prefer.

In summary, all GCSE exam boards award the same GCSE qualifications, but they differ in their approach. Understanding these differences is important: it helps students know what to expect in their exams and ensures that revision resources or tutoring align with the correct board’s syllabus. Below, we introduce the major UK boards and compare their key features.

The Major GCSE Exam Boards in the UK

There are five main exam boards that administer GCSEs across the UK. Each board has a regional focus and unique offerings, but all are widely recognised by colleges and employers. The five boards are AQA, Edexcel (Pearson), OCR, WJEC, and CCEA – here’s a quick overview of each:

AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance)

The largest exam board in England, accounting for roughly half of all GCSE entries. AQA is a registered charity and offers an extensive range of GCSE subjects (around 60 subjects) from core Maths, English, Sciences to languages and humanities. It’s known for clear, detailed specifications and is used by many schools in England and Wales.

Edexcel (Pearson Edexcel)

A major UK board owned by Pearson (the only privately owned exam board). Edexcel provides GCSEs in all core subjects and many electives (around 50 subjects). It also offers a wide array of modern foreign languages (from Arabic to Urdu) under the GCSE umbrella, and its qualifications are used not only in the UK but in international schools worldwide.

OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA)

An exam board part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment (charitable status). OCR offers GCSEs in 40+ subjects including less common subjects like Latin or Classical Civilization alongside the usual subjects. Many schools in England use OCR, and it’s known for strong offerings in computing and the humanities.

WJEC (Welsh Joint Education Committee)

The main exam board for Wales. WJEC provides GCSEs in Wales in both English and Welsh language mediums. Notably, Wales has kept the old GCSE grading system (A–G)* rather than the new 9–1 grades. Outside of Wales, WJEC operates under the brand Eduqas to offer GCSEs to schools in England; Eduqas qualifications are equivalent to WJEC’s but use the 9–1 grading to meet English system requirements. WJEC is popular for creative subjects and of course provides GCSEs in Welsh language and literature, which other boards do not.

CCEA (Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment)

The exam board for Northern Ireland. CCEA’s GCSEs are taken by most schools in Northern Ireland and use the A*–G grading scale (with an additional grade C* introduced to align with the new English grade 5 benchmark). CCEA offers all the standard GCSE subjects and some unique to NI (like GCSE Irish Language, and local studies within subjects). Schools in Northern Ireland can also opt to use English boards for certain subjects, in which case those particular GCSEs would be graded 9–1.

To compare these exam boards at a glance, consider the key factors of region, grading system, exam structure, and notable features:

Wales currently uses A*–G for WJEC GCSEs, but English-based boards (AQA/OCR/Edexcel or Eduqas) in Wales use 9–1. In practice, nearly all England schools use 9–1 GCSEs, while Wales/NI use A*–G for their home boards. As the table shows, the grading system and structure can depend on the region and board. In England, all GCSEs now use the 9–1 grading scale and are fully linear, meaning students sit all exams at the end of the two-year course. Wales and Northern Ireland, through WJEC and CCEA, still use the A–G grading* scale and have retained some modular GCSE courses (where assessments are split into units taken across the course). Despite these differences, all boards’ qualifications are considered equivalent – a GCSE Maths from AQA (graded 9–1) is valued the same as a GCSE Maths from WJEC (graded A*–G). In fact, regulatory measures ensure that no board is “easier” than another, as we’ll discuss later.

Next, we’ll dive into specific aspects of how the exam boards compare: the subjects they offer, how the grading works, and the types of assessments students face.

Subject Availability and Curriculum Differences

All exam boards cover the core GCSE subjects – you will find Maths, English Language, English Literature, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Geography, etc. offered by AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, and CCEA alike. The government sets out core content that each board’s specification must include, so there’s a lot of overlap in what is taught. However, boards also have freedom to include optional topics or additional subjects, leading to some differences in subject availability:

Number of Subjects

AQA offers one of the broadest selections with around 60 different GCSE subjects in its catalogue (this counts variations and electives, from sciences to humanities to arts). Pearson Edexcel similarly covers around 50 GCSE subject specifications. OCR provides over 40 GCSE subjects. WJEC (and Eduqas) and CCEA offer a wide range too, though the exact number may be a bit lower (they focus on mainstream subjects plus those of regional importance, like Welsh or Irish). In practice, most schools stick to a common set of ~20 subjects or fewer for GCSEs – but if you’re looking for a less common subject, the exam board might make a difference.

Languages

One notable difference is in modern foreign languages and other language GCSEs. Edexcel (Pearson) is known for offering an extensive array of language qualifications – not just French, German, and Spanish, but also languages like Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Greek, Russian, Urdu, and more. AQA and OCR also offer some additional languages (for example, AQA has GCSE Polish and Urdu, OCR offers Latin and Classical Greek, etc.), but Edexcel’s list is particularly comprehensive for community and world languages. If a student wishes to take a GCSE in a language outside the typical European languages, chances are Pearson Edexcel provides that exam.

Regional Subjects

WJEC and CCEA cater to their regions with subjects you won’t find in the English boards. WJEC, for instance, offers GCSEs in Welsh Language and Welsh Literature (for first and second language speakers) as these are part of the curriculum in Wales. CCEA offers GCSE Irish Language for students in Northern Ireland, as well as locally-focused courses like “Learning for Life and Work” (a mandatory NI subject covering citizenship, employability, etc.). These subjects are specific to regional needs and are usually only available through the home board (e.g. you’d take Welsh GCSE with WJEC, not AQA).

Optional Topics and Syllabuses

Even in common subjects, the curriculum content can differ slightly between boards. For example, each exam board sets its own set texts for GCSE English Literature – an AQA student might study Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, while an Edexcel student might study Romeo and Juliet and An Inspector Calls (these are illustrative examples). In GCSE History, boards offer different topic modules (one board might have a unit on the American West, another on medieval medicine, etc.). In sciences, all boards cover the same key concepts, but the context of questions or required practical experiments can vary. The differences in syllabus aren’t usually huge, but they mean that a student changing exam boards might encounter a few new topics or miss ones they studied. It’s important to use revision materials (textbooks, revision guides) specific to the right board so that all the required content is covered.

Despite these variations, no single exam board has a monopoly on “hard” or “easy” subjects. They all must meet the government’s criteria for each subject. The choice of board often comes down to which approach a school prefers – for instance, some teachers might prefer the way OCR’s Computer Science course is structured, or the readings in Edexcel’s English course, or the fieldwork topics in AQA’s Geography. If you’re a student or parent, knowing which board’s syllabus you’re following is crucial so you can focus on the right material.

Grading Systems: 9–1 vs A*–G

One of the most obvious differences between exam boards – especially across regions – is the grading system used for GCSEs. This can be a source of confusion, so let’s break it down:

England (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas): Numeric Grades (9–1).

All GCSEs taken with English exam boards are now graded on a 9 to 1 scale, with 9 being the highest grade and 1 the lowest (U remains ungraded). This system was introduced in 2017 as part of GCSE reforms in England, replacing the old A*–G grades. The scale is not a direct one-to-one conversion from letters, but there are reference points: a grade 9 is above an old A* (reserved for the very top performers), grade 7 is roughly equivalent to an old A, grade 4 is equivalent to the bottom of an old C (the standard “pass” level), and grade 1 aligns with the bottom of a G. In the new system, grade 5 is sometimes called a “strong pass” (a high C or low B by old standards) and grade 4 a “standard pass”. The key takeaway is that the numeric grades provide more differentiation, particularly at the top end (with three grades 7, 8, 9 covering what used to be two grades A and A*).

Wales (WJEC): Letter Grades (A–G).*

Wales chose to retain the traditional A–G grading* for its GCSEs. So, if a student is taking a WJEC GCSE in Wales, their results will be reported as A*, A, B, C, D, E, F, G (with A* as the top grade). These are directly comparable to the pre-2017 GCSE grades in England. The Welsh system considers a C the benchmark “pass” (analogous to a 4 in the new system). One thing to note: when WJEC offers GCSEs to English schools under the Eduqas brand, those qualifications are graded 9–1 to align with England’s system. Thus, a WJEC (Eduqas) GCSE in an English school would use 9–1, but the same course in a Welsh school uses A*–G.

Northern Ireland (CCEA): Letter Grades with an extra C.*

CCEA in Northern Ireland also uses the A*–G system, but with a twist – the introduction of a C* grade. The C* (read “C star”) grade was added to help with comparing to the 9–1 system’s six passing grades (9–4). Essentially, C* sits between a C and a B. This means the NI grading scale goes A*, A, B, C*, C, D, E, F, G. The C* is meant to align closely with a grade 5 in the English system (a strong pass). Like in Wales, a C is considered a pass (with C* just indicating a higher C). Students in Northern Ireland can also take GCSEs with English boards; if they do, those particular subjects will use 9–1 grades. So you might see a Northern Irish student with a mix of letters and numbers on their GCSE results if different boards were used.

For practical purposes, universities and employers treat a grade from any system as equivalent – they understand that an A from WJEC is akin to a 7/8 from AQA, for example. When it comes to entry requirements (say, “Grade 6 in GCSE Maths” for a sixth form program), they will usually clarify equivalents, like “Grade 6 (or B)”. So students won’t be disadvantaged by whichever grading scale their board uses.

One thing to be aware of is tiered exams: In some subjects (like Maths, Science, and modern languages), GCSEs are split into Foundation and Higher tier papers. This is true across all boards. The grading scales differ slightly by tier (Foundation tier papers cap at grade 5 or C*; Higher tier covers the full range up to 9/A*). When comparing boards, the tier system operates similarly – e.g. AQA, Edexcel, OCR all have foundation tier in Maths up to grade 5, and WJEC’s foundation tier goes up to a C. So, tiering is more a subject-specific aspect than a board difference, but it’s part of grading to be mindful of.

In summary, England-based boards = numeric grades 9–1, Wales/NI boards = letters. Each system has its own scale, but all are mapped to ensure consistency. If you understand one system, you can translate to the other (for instance, an A = roughly 7, a C = roughly 4). Don’t be thrown off by the format – focus on achieving the highest grade you can, number or letter!

Assessment Styles and Exam Formats

Beyond content and grading, exam boards also differ in how the GCSEs are assessed – that is, exam structure, use of coursework, and the style of exam questions. Over the past decade, there’s been a general move toward making GCSEs more similar across boards (especially due to reforms in England), but some distinctions remain:

Linear vs Modular Courses

All the English exam boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, and Eduqas) now run GCSE courses in a linear format – meaning students take all exams in a subject at the end of the course (usually May/June of Year 11). There are no official modular breakdowns or mid-course exams counting toward the final grade (with the exception of any non-exam assessments, discussed below). In contrast, WJEC in Wales and CCEA in Northern Ireland still offer some GCSEs that are modular. In modular GCSEs, the content is divided into units; students might take exams (or coursework units) at the end of Year 10 or mid-Year 11 for certain modules, rather than one big set of exams at the end. They also typically have an opportunity to retake units to improve their marks (with some limits on retakes). For example, under CCEA a subject might be 60% exam + 40% coursework split into units taken at intervals. Wales similarly has a mix: some WJEC GCSEs are linear, others (like certain science or Welsh-language courses) had modular options. However, the trend even in Wales/NI is toward more linear assessment, and any modular course will still require completing all units by the end of Year 11. If you’re in England, you can assume your GCSEs are all linear. In Wales/NI, check with teachers if any of your subjects are unitised – the approach to studying might differ slightly (preparing for module exams along the way).

Use of Coursework / Non-Exam Assessment

GCSEs used to involve quite a bit of coursework (also known as controlled assessment or non-exam assessment) in many subjects. The 2015+ reforms in England significantly reduced coursework in most subjects – putting “less emphasis on coursework than before” and making almost all subjects 100% final exam. Now, coursework is generally limited to subjects where practical skills are essential. For instance:

• Art & Design: Assessed largely on a portfolio of work (coursework) and a final piece; all boards have this approach.
• Design & Technology / Food Preparation: Include a substantial non-exam project (e.g. design prototype or food project) in all boards.
• English Language: Has a spoken language endorsement (a presentation/speaking assessment) across all boards, but it’s reported separately and doesn’t count toward the main grade (in England). In Wales, speaking/listening might still contribute to the grade for WJEC English.
• Sciences: No coursework anymore; instead, all boards incorporate required practical experiments that students do in class, and then exam questions about those practicals appear on the written papers. This replaced the old science ISAs/coursework – and it’s true for AQA, OCR, Edexcel, and WJEC/Eduqas (in NI, CCEA has a similar arrangement).
• History/Geography: No traditional coursework; but there are fieldwork or investigation components that are assessed within the exam (e.g. questions about fieldwork in Geography).
• Modern Languages: All have a speaking exam which is internally conducted but counts as an exam component (not coursework in the old sense, but an oral test).

The bottom line is that every exam board follows the subject requirements set by regulators for coursework percentage. For example, if the subject criteria say “20% of GCSE Music must be performance coursework,” all boards will have roughly 20% coursework for Music. There isn’t a board that, say, offers a coursework-free version of a subject while others require coursework – those kinds of differences were largely removed by regulation. However, boards do differ in the tasks or focus of the coursework. For instance, one board’s GCSE History might have students do a written task on a specific historic site (even if it’s exam-assessed), whereas another board might not include that. In GCSE PE, all boards require performance assessments in sports, but the list of sports you can be assessed in might vary slightly by board.

Exam Question Style

One of the subtler differences is the style and format of exam questions. All boards use a mix of question types – multiple-choice, short answer, data or source-based questions, and essays – depending on the subject. But the balance can vary. For example, Edexcel’s science exams have tended to include a section of multiple-choice questions at the start of each paper, whereas AQA’s science papers are entirely short-answer and longer-answer questions (no discrete multiple-choice section). In Maths, students often comment that Edexcel’s word problems can be quite applied (sometimes seen as tricky), whereas AQA’s questions might be perceived as more straightforward in wording – though this is subjective. OCR might include more case-study context in something like Business or Geography compared to another board. These differences reflect each board’s philosophy in assessment. According to education experts, “the key differences between each exam board will be mainly in the assessment method (e.g. more short-answer vs more essay questions) as well as areas of focus”. This means that one board’s exam might emphasise, say, analysis of an unseen text more, while another might put more weight on memorising facts – all within the same subject.

Because of these stylistic differences, familiarising yourself with past papers from your specific exam board is crucial. By practicing past papers and reviewing mark schemes from your board, you become attuned to how questions are asked and what examiners expect in answers. All boards provide specimen papers and past papers on their websites, and doing these is one of the best ways to prepare (and something our tutors at Dukes Plus always emphasise!).

Comparability

It’s natural to wonder if these differences in exam style or coursework make one board harder or easier. Regulators like Ofqual work to ensure that a given grade reflects the same level of ability, regardless of board. So while the path to get there (types of questions, etc.) may differ, a student of average ability should stand an equal chance of getting, say, a Grade 6 on any board. Rest assured that grade boundaries are set so that outcomes are aligned across boards.

How to Choose or Navigate Different Exam Boards

Given that students typically don’t get to personally choose their exam boards (schools do that), how should families approach the issue of exam boards? Here are some practical tips:

Know Which Board Applies to Each Subject

First and foremost, find out which exam board you or your child’s school uses for each GCSE subject. It might sound obvious, but sometimes students aren’t aware until late in the course. This information is usually provided by the school or can be found on the course syllabus or even the exam entry statements. Don’t hesitate to ask teachers if unsure. Knowing the board lets you target your revision correctly – for instance, you can obtain the specific specification document for that board and subject, which lists all the topics and objectives. As one tutoring advice source notes, knowing the exam board and accessing past papers and examiners’ reports for that board makes preparation much easier.

Use Board-Specific Resources

Once you know the board, tailor your study materials to it. Use revision guides or textbooks that are designed for AQA GCSE Geography if you’re doing AQA Geography, for example, since they will cover exactly the topics your course includes. Practice with that board’s past exam papers and example questions – this builds familiarity with how questions are phrased and the style of answers expected. All the major boards publish their past papers and marking schemes online (often except the most recent year which might be kept within schools). Additionally, some boards have differences in exam timing or number of papers – e.g. one board’s GCSE History might have 3 exam papers vs another’s 2 papers – so knowing these helps plan revision time accordingly.

Understand that One Board Isn’t “Easier” than Another

Students sometimes hear rumors like “Edexcel is easier for sciences” or “OCR is harder for history” and so on. In reality, the grade standards are moderated to be comparable across boards, so you won’t automatically get a higher grade just by swapping boards. Ofqual uses statistical predictions and alignment so that it is “no easier or harder to achieve a particular grade with one exam board than with another”. Each board’s papers might have a different feel – one might suit a certain student’s strengths a bit more – but none is universally simpler. So focus on doing your best with whichever board you have, rather than worrying about the others. If you do have a choice (for instance, if self-studying as a private candidate), look at the specs to decide which one’s structure you prefer, but don’t expect an easy ride from any particular board.

Plan for Transitions if Needed

If a student moves schools or switches from one exam board to another (which can happen if you move between countries within the UK or transfer to a school that uses a different board), it’s important to identify any content differences quickly. Ask the new teachers for guidance on topics that might not have been covered under the old board’s syllabus. You may need to do some catch-up on specific units (for example, if you studied “Cold War history” at your old school’s exam board but the new board expects you to know “Weimar Germany”, you’ll need to learn that topic). The good news is a large chunk of content will overlap, and skills gained (like essay writing or scientific analysis) are transferable. With some focused effort – potentially with the help of a tutor – students can successfully transition between boards. Exam technique might also need adjusting (different question styles), so practicing the new board’s papers is key.

Leverage Expertise

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the differences, consider seeking help. Teachers are the first port of call – they are experienced in teaching their chosen exam board and can provide guidance on how to meet its requirements. Additionally, external support like tutoring can be tailored to specific exam boards. For instance, at Dukes Plus we ensure our GCSE tutors know the ins and outs of each major board’s specifications. Whether it’s AQA English or Edexcel Maths or WJEC Biology, a knowledgeable tutor can focus on the exact content and exam technique needed for that board. This targeted approach can boost a student’s confidence and performance because the prep is 100% relevant to what they’ll be tested on.

Focus on Skills and Understanding

Finally, remember that regardless of board, the foundational skills and knowledge you need are very similar. Concentrate on truly understanding your subjects, practicing exam-style questions, and improving areas of weakness. If you do this, you will be well prepared, board aside. The exam board shouldn’t be a cause for panic but rather a guide for how to channel your revision most effectively.

By following these steps, students and parents can navigate multiple exam boards with less stress. Many students in the UK will be juggling perhaps AQA for one subject, Edexcel for another, OCR for a third – and that’s perfectly normal. Stay organised (maybe keep a list of subjects with their boards) and prepare accordingly. The differences can even be a benefit: you get experience with slightly different approaches to exams, which can make you a more adaptable learner.

Get Extra Help

If you need some extra support with GCSE revision, we can help. Our expert GCSE tutors have years of experience and a proven track record of success: 100% of our GCSE students meet or exceed their predicted grades.

All our tutoring is 1-1, so it’s completely tailored to your unique strengths and weaknesses. Our tutors can help you put together a revision plan, teach you any topics you struggle with, mark your practice essays and provide feedback.

Book a free consultation with one our friendly team to get matched with the ideal GCSE tutor for you.