When do GCSE exams start in 2024 and which subject is the hardest?

The first exam takes place this week, opening GCSE exam season for schools
Nuray Bulbul8 May 2024

For hundreds of thousands of GCSE students in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales, exam season is starting this week.

However, when are the tests scheduled, and will they resemble those in 2023?

This is your helpful guide to everything you need to know, including the hardest subjects to teach, when the tests will be held this year (including dates for important courses), and whether or not GCSEs will be made simpler.

What are the dates for GCSE exams in 2024?

GCSE exams begin on Monday, May 9 and run until Friday, June 21.

Maths

The following GCSE mathematics examinations are scheduled on Thursday, May 16 in the morning.

  • AQA maths paper 1 - foundation and higher

  • CCEA Mathematics units 1 and 2 - foundation

  • CCEA Mathematics units 3 and 4 - higher

  • Edexcel maths paper 1 - foundation and higher

  • Eduqas maths paper 1 - foundation and higher

  • OCR maths paper 1 - foundation

  • OCR maths paper 4 - higher

  • WJEC maths paper 1 - foundation, intermediate and higher

The GCSE mathematical tests listed below will be administered on Monday, June 3 in the morning.

  • AQA maths paper 2 - foundation and higher

  • CCEA maths unit 5 - foundation

  • CCEA maths unit 6 - foundation

  • CCEA maths unit 7 - higher

  • CCEA maths unit 8 - higher

  • Edexcel maths paper 2 - foundation and higher

  • Eduqas maths paper 2 - foundation and higher

  • OCR maths paper 2 - foundation and higher

The GCSE mathematical tests listed below will be administered on Monday, June 10 in the morning.

  • AQA maths paper 3 - foundation and higher

  • Edexcel maths paper 3 - foundation and higher

  • OCR maths paper 3 - foundation and higher

English language

  • AQA, Edexcel, Eduqas, OCR and WJEC English language paper 1 exams will take place on morning of Thursday, May 23.
  • CCEA English language unit 1 will take place on the morning of Wednesday, May 8.
  • AQA, Edexcel, Eduqas OCR and WJEC English language paper 2 exams will take place on morning of Thursday, June 6.
  • CCEA English language unit 4 will take place on the morning of Monday, May 20.

English literature

  • AQA, CCEA, Edexcel, Eduqas, OCR and WJEC English literature paper 1 exams will take place on morning of Monday, May 13.
  • AQA, Edexcel, Eduqas, OCR and WJEC English literature paper 2 exams will take place on morning of Monday, May 20.
  • CEA English literature paper 2 will take place on the morning of Thursday, May 30.

Science

Will GCSE 2024 be easier?

The impact of the Covid-19 epidemic on tests in recent years has made exam difficulties a contentious issue. But for GCSE students, 2023 marked a relative return to normal. In light of this, it is not anticipated that the 2024 tests will be noticeably simpler or harder than their equivalents from the previous year. The complexity of previous year's practice exams will still give you a decent idea of how challenging the real exam will be.

What are the 5 hardest GCSEs?

According to TutorChase, the hardest GCSE is Maths.

This is followed by Art & Design, English Language, Citizenship Studies, and Geography.

The overall pass rates as well as comments from instructors and students are used to determine this ranking. Understanding these difficulties can help students, parents, and teachers prepare more effectively, even though what constitutes a "hard" GCSE subject can vary.

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