All GCSEs offered in Wales for 14-16 year olds have been reviewed and updated, with some new subjects introduced.
The main changes concern qualifications in the core subjects of English, Welsh, mathematics and science.
Language and Literature come under one qualification in English and Cymraeg, as Welsh is now officially known.
And individual sciences—physics, chemistry, and biology—are not offered as separate GCSEs.
New skills include film and digital media, dance and engineering.
Overall there is less emphasis on exams and more assessments throughout the year, but there are differences and math for example is still based solely on exams.
Why are GCSEs changing?
It is changing to match the new curriculum being introduced in schools in Wales.
The curriculum is seen as the biggest change in Welsh education in decades and is already being implemented in most schools.
From September 2023 it will apply to all pupils aged 12-13 in Wales.
The goal is to offer a broader, more comprehensive education that focuses on the children’s experiences and not just on their knowledge and skills.
Current grade 7 students – ages 11 and 12 – will be the first to study the new GCSEs when they reach grade 10 in September 2025 and take exams in 2027.
What is the situation in other UK countries?
England and Northern Ireland also earn GCSEs, but Scotland has other qualifications.
GCSEs already vary from country to country.
A new grading system has been introduced in England, ranging from 9 to 1 instead of A* to G, which determines marks in almost all subjects in final examinations.
The changes in Wales amplify this divergence.
But each country has tried to maintain some consistency so that employers, colleges and universities have an idea of the standards wherever a student is from.
What are the concerns?
Many people in education are excited about the curriculum changes but are concerned about how the GCSEs will fit into it.
How can you describe some of the qualities that should be encouraged in assessments and examinations?
Some had argued for GCSEs to be abolished altogether.
The opinion of colleges, universities and employers on the qualifications gives some cause for concern.
But Qualifications Wales, which is introducing the changes, said it has made sure these concerns are understood and Welsh students are not disadvantaged.
And managing the changes will add pressure on schools still grappling with the fallout from Covid and tight budgets.
Are there disadvantages in combining subjects?
This was the most controversial part of the reform.
This led to accusations of “dumbing down” and fears that there might be too big a jump to the Abitur in science.
The argument for this is that it will be more equitable, allowing more students the same experience across all sciences and recognizing that some students are not currently studying literature at GCSE at all.
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