How GCSEs work in England
GCSEs are graded 9 to 1, with 9 the highest and U for ungraded. The Department for Education calls grade 4 and above a standard pass, similar to the old grade C, and a grade 4 is the minimum students need in English and maths or they keep studying them after 16. A grade 5 is called a strong pass; it is used as a benchmark for schools. Wales and Northern Ireland use different scales.
In tiered subjects such as maths, combined science, physics, chemistry and biology, the Foundation tier covers grades 5 to 1 and the Higher tier grades 9 to 4, with a 3 available to a student who just misses a 4. Your school or college chooses the tier.
GCSE Maths papers
| Board (code) | Papers | Time each | Marks each | Non-calculator paper |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQA (8300) | 3 equally weighted | 1 h 30 | 80 | Paper 1 |
| Pearson Edexcel (1MA1) | 3 equally weighted | 1 h 30 | 80 | Paper 1 |
| OCR (J560) | 3 equally weighted | 1 h 30 | 100 | Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 5 (Higher) |
Combined science is a double award: two grades such as 7-6, worth two GCSEs. Separate sciences give three GCSEs. The exam boards' papers differ, so the tutor works from your board's specification.
When the exams are
The summer series for 2027 starts on May 10, 2027 and the last GCSE exam is on June 18, 2027; GCSE results are on August 19, 2027. In November only GCSE English language and maths are available, and only to students who are 16 or over on 31 August of that year.
How to prepare with Tutix today
- Start a class and name the subject. Type the subject and your board, for example GCSE Maths (AQA). The wizard suggests what the classes should cover, and you can edit it.
- Attach your syllabus or your own notes if you have them, so the tutor teaches the topics your course actually lists.
- Choose a tutor and a rhythm. Seven tutor personalities; a fixed weekly time, week by week, or start whenever you like.
- Join the class. You talk, the tutor teaches on a shared whiteboard and slides, and reads what you write while you are still in class.
- Read the recap. After each class you see what was covered and what is next, and the next class starts from there.
Ready-made programs exist today for AP and IGCSE, drawn side by side on the Programs page; for GCSE, the tutor builds the classes from your own syllabus or notes.
SparkAI tutor
Example
GCSE · Algebra · Expanding brackets
Expand and simplify (x + 2)(x − 5). [2 marks]
The x2 and the −10 are right. Look at the two middle terms: −5x and +2x. Say each sign aloud, then add them.
A sample written to show how a class sounds. The scores show how the exam would credit each answer. Not a real learner.
What it costs
You can start on the Free plan: 45 live class minutes a month (about one class of the default length), no card needed. Pro is $15 a month for 6 hours of live class time, and Pro+ is $30 for 15 hours.
| Plan | Price | Live class time a month | Works out to | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 45 min | about one class | No card needed |
| Pro | $15 a month | 360 min (6 hours) | $2.50 an hour | $150 a year if paid yearly |
| Pro+ | $30 a month | 900 min (15 hours) | $2 an hour | $300 a year if paid yearly |
| Pico | No monthly fee | Pay as you go | $3 an hour ($0.05 a minute) | Paid from a wallet you top up |
The hourly figure is the plan's price divided by the live class hours it includes, when you use them all. Live class time is the tutor teaching you; other limits (study items, messages, uploads) are on the pricing page.
Questions people ask
Does Tutix have a GCSE program?
Not ready-made yet. You can start a class in any GCSE subject today: name it and your exam board, attach your notes, and the tutor builds the classes around them.
What is a pass at GCSE?
In England a grade 4 is a standard pass and a grade 5 a strong pass. A grade 4 in English and maths is the minimum students need or they keep studying those subjects after 16.
What is the difference between Foundation and Higher tier?
Foundation covers grades 5 to 1 and Higher grades 9 to 4, with a grade 3 available to a student who narrowly misses a 4. The school chooses the tier.
Is IGCSE the same as GCSE?
Cambridge says it aligns IGCSE standards with the GCSE taken in England, but they are different qualifications run by different boards, with different grading scales.
Is Tutix affiliated with any exam board?
No. GCSE qualifications are awarded by exam boards such as AQA, Pearson Edexcel and OCR, none of which is affiliated with, or endorses, Tutix.
Sources
- GCSE 9 to 1 grade scale explained, GOV.UK (June 30, 2025)
- GCSE factsheet for parents, Department for Education (May 2019)
- Student guide to exams and assessments in 2026, Ofqual (GOV.UK) (January 15, 2026)
- AQA GCSE Mathematics 8300: scheme of assessment, AQA (accessed October 21, 2026)
- Pearson Edexcel GCSE Mathematics (1MA1) specification, issue 2, Pearson (accessed October 21, 2026)
- OCR GCSE Mathematics (J560): specification at a glance, OCR (accessed October 21, 2026)
- Key dates in the examination cycle, June 2027, Joint Council for Qualifications (2026)
Keep reading
AP® is a trademark registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this site. Cambridge IGCSE® and Cambridge International AS & A Level are trademarks of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this site. GCSE qualifications are regulated in England and awarded by exam boards such as AQA, Pearson Edexcel and OCR, none of which is affiliated with, or endorses, this site.
