What is Gcse: Definition and 44 Discussions

The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is an academic qualification in a particular subject, taken in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. State schools in Scotland use the Scottish Qualifications Certificate instead. Private schools in Scotland may choose to use an alternative qualification.
Each GCSE qualification is offered in a specific school subject (e.g. Mathematics, History, Art, etc.). The UK government has drawn up a list of preferred subjects known as the English Baccalaureate and the Progress 8 benchmark metric is calculated on the results in eight GCSEs including Maths and English.
Studies for GCSE examinations take place over a period of two or three academic years (depending upon the subject, school, and exam board), starting in Year 9 or Year 10 for the majority of students, with examinations being sat at the end of Year 11 in England and Wales.

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  1. Melmoth

    What are the key topics covered in the new GCSE Physics curriculum?

    I have much to learn.
  2. M

    Studying Self teaching Gcse and A-Level maths

    Hi, I have recently embarked on the journey to do a mathematics degree. I am 16 and homeschooled, although, I self teach myself as I find it easier to read from textbooks and teach myself the material from resources online and the likes. I have taken a math Gcse a few months ago and was going...
  3. BTEC Michio Kaku

    GCSE Physics : Temperature & Gravitational potential energy

    Homework Statement Q7. Some lead shot with a mass of 50 grams is placed into a card board box the distance from one end to the other being 1m. The ends are sealed with rubber bungs in order to prevent the lead shots from falling out, the tube is rotated so the lead shots fall down from one end...
  4. S

    Does refraction only happen wih light rays?

    Or does it happen wib other types of wave too? Just a simple answer please - with a clear YES or No. Thanks in advance ☺
  5. S

    Why Does Static Electricity Behave Unpredictably in Everyday Phenomena?

    This is all related to GCSE content, but it doesn't go into enough depth for it to make sense: When a balloon sticks to a wall after becoming negatively charged, why does the surface of the wall become positively charged? I would assume that the repulsion between negative charges forces the...
  6. VNN

    Studying GCSE Best Websites/Subscriptions?

    I have purchase Mygcsescience for revision help... Disregarding money,what would you say are the best PAID sites for revision notes and other resources... Please list a many as you can... Thanks.
  7. Fixxxer

    Why Does Maximum Diffraction Occur When Gap Size is Comparable to Wavelength?

    Hi guys, I'm doing an into to diffraction tomorrow, explaining what diffraction is - so light or sound waves spreading out as they pass through a gap, and when it occurs - so it is a maximum when gap size is comparable to wavelength. However I just want to be prepared to answer why this is the...
  8. S

    Introduction about myself

    Hey, I'm Alex Craven, I'm studying my GCSE's in a school in South Wales UK, I have a good knowledge in science particularly physics, I want to study physics at college and university and then become an Doctor in physics. Many thanks and best wishes Alex Craven mod note: edited out email for...
  9. L

    British Physics Olympiad 2004 (GCSE)

    5. Point Q is 3m above and 4m to the North of Point P. Ignoring friction how much energy does it take to move a 5kg sack of potatoes from point P to point Q? These are multiple choice questions of the exam, so in the mark scheme it only says: A, B ... The question paper can be found...
  10. cobalt124

    GCSE Choices (UK) for career in Pathology

    My son is currently choosing his GCSEs and his current chosen career is Pathology. Maths and English aside as they are compulsory he has chosen Chemistry, Physics and Biology and has four other subjects to choose. Does anyone have any advice on what these four subjects should be for his chosen...
  11. T

    Vector & Square Root Question for GCSE Maths

    I have attached a copy of a vector question which i cannot do, i do not even understand what the question is asking can someone help? On a different note i seem to have a lot of trouble with simplifying square roots for example what is the square root of 2704/ is there any way to find the...
  12. T

    Upper Bound of H in GCSE Maths

    Hi all I have another upper/low bound question, i have attached the question to this thread. The bit i am having trouble with is part (II) i.e. calculate the upper bound of H. I attempted this and got: - (24.45^2)/(2*9.85) = 30.34530457 H = 30.3 (3 sig fig) The problem is that...
  13. P

    GCSE/IGCSE course choice for sciences

    Hello, I live in England, and in the future I would like to study physics or neuroscience at university. I am currently taking my GCSEs, and I have a dilemma with some of the courses I am taking: I'm taking a Science GCSE course which includes Biology, Chemistry and Physics, and I am also...
  14. S

    Physics A-Level/GCSE Lecturers

    REF: PTNH136 TITLE: Physics Lecturers Protech Training Services Ltd is a subsidiary recruitment company for North Hertfordshire College. We supply temporary Lecturers and Assessors in all areas of Further Education. We are currently looking for GCSE and/or A-Level Physics Lecturers for...
  15. S

    Guidance needed about physics field and post-secondary education

    I'm to start at Aberdeen, UK, where I have 4 compulsory (basically mechanics, waves, optics +electronics, relativity and quantum mechanics) modules and 4 optional modules. This is basically the only time I can choose modules - the next two years are pretty much set. Disappointingly, there are...
  16. U

    GCSE higher / A-Level introductory books

    So finally after many years of avoiding it due to pure fear of the subject, I've decided I am going to learn maths no matter how hard it is for me. The question is which book should I get? With so many out there I am looking for something with plenty of problems, a mixture of text based and...
  17. M

    Hello,I'm revising half-life for GCSE and have come across some

    Hello, I'm revising half-life for GCSE and have come across some questions regarding fractions. For example, "what fraction of the original nuclei will still be unstable after 5 half-lives?" Am I right in thinking it would be 1/20 as 1/2 x 5 = 1/20 or is that too simple? Thanks, Molly
  18. N

    Momentum and movement basic GCSE Quest

    when a gun is fired a very large force acts on the bullet for a very short time. formula that's given: force x time = change in momentum (kg m/s) an average force of 4000 acts for 0.01 seconds on a bullet of 50g mass. DONE THIS PART b. the bullet is fired...
  19. N

    Momentum and movement basic GCSE Quest

    Mr Green, mass 80 kg, stepped off a boat of mass 35 kg at a speed of 3m/s. how fast did the boat move in the opposite direction? i have no idea how to work it out?
  20. O

    SAT/ GCSE-Level Recurrence Relation Problem

    Homework Statement Hi! This is my first time on the site. I look forward to working with everyone…but hopefully not too much, assuming I‘m learning things correctly. :P My question pertains to Recurrence Relations, so here it goes… Foreword: The textbook I’m using actually supplies...
  21. E

    GCSE/ A level Physics teacher?

    Heyup everyone, Ive been looking into retraining as a teacher, GCSE and possibly A level physics is the level I would love to teach at. Ive been told I would be great at this as I really like to get people excited about learning and really try to engage people at whatever level makes them...
  22. M

    Calculating Payback Time for Solar Cell Panels: GCSE kWh Question

    The question: Electricity supplied from the National Grid costs 8p per kWh. A householder is considering installing solar cell panels. The household uses 4000 kWh of electricity each year. The cost of installing a solar cell panel is £6400 per kW What is the payback time? The answer is 40...
  23. I

    Average GCSE's/top A levels? What are my chances at top Uni?

    Hi guys I'm new to the forum, I'm currently studying in the UK. I Wanted to know peoples views on applying for top uni's such as Cambridge, MIT etc. I didn't do to well in GCSEs because I wasn't serious at the time. I got into AS and completely was overwhelmed by the amount of home...
  24. P

    Can an electron and a proton have a love-child named Neutron?

    ... so bear with me. I recently decided that I am an electron, and that my other half is a proton. So, if we had a love-child, would Neutron be an appropriate baby-name? Thank you, I hope someone can help me!
  25. N

    (UK) What are the GCSE levels requirements to apply for MIT?

    (UK) What are the GCSE levels requirements to apply for MIT? For UK guys only... What are the GCSE levels requirements to apply for MIT? for those who wants to anser..heres the GCSE leveling here in UK A* A B C D E F G U How many As do you think I'd need for GCSE? Dyou...
  26. N

    Please help me with these GCSE calculus questions.

    1. A curve passes through the point (\pi/2 , 0) and it's gradient at any point (x,y) on the curve is (sin x)(1 - sin x), find the equation of the normal to the curve at the point x = \pi. I tried to sub x = \pi, then dy/dx = 0 so that means gradient of the tangent at x = \pi is 0 So, can I...
  27. B

    GCSE exams soon. with some revision.

    Hi this is my first one so i need help. I have GCSE physics exams soon and i need some help with revision. Just tell me anything that you can that you will think will help me. Thanks
  28. O

    GCSE Additional physics - NEED HELP =D

    Homework Statement A beam of electrons leaves an electrom gun. The current carried by the beam is 4mA. a) How many coulombs of charge pass through a certain point in the beam per second. b) How many electrons pass this point per second? Homework Equations KE(j) = Charge of electrons...
  29. K

    Fission activity at GCSE level

    Dear All I am trying to do some Nuclear Fission based activity for my 12th grade students at school level. I shall be grateful if some one suggests such a low cast activity to perform at laboratory. Kind Regards Kosher.
  30. U

    Maximize Your GCSE Biology Grade: Tips for Success on March 5th Test

    anyone got any tip before the test?? it will happen at march the 5th what is the best way to achieve my best grade possible?
  31. T

    GCSE Proof os square with equalaterial triangles

    Homework Statement ABCD is a square and on side BC an equalaterial triangle is made extending to vertex E and another is made on line DC extending to vertex F. Prove that ECD is congruent to BCF. Homework Equations Proof is all about using algerbra to prove somthing right? If it's...
  32. T

    Question 18 GCSE higher tier

    Homework Statement (a) \frac{3}{x}+\frac{3}{2x} = 2 that is 4x = 9 so x = 2.25 (b) I can do the first question (a) easy peasy , however the secnond question says "using your answer to part (a), or otherwise solve: \frac{3}{(y-1)^{2}}+\frac{3}{2(y-1)^{2}} = 2 What part of (a) do I...
  33. T

    Simplifying Trigonometric Expressions

    Without using a calculator This is part of a GCSE maths question from a non-calc paper How does \frac{25\pi}{3}-\frac{25}{2}sin120 become simplified?
  34. R

    GCSE Physics Problem: Deriving T Using F = ma

    I am currently studying for my GCSE's but have a keen interest in physics and maths. Today at school i noticed a question; A chain of length a is placed on a frictional-less table with length b of the chain dangling off the edge of the table. Using \\F = ma derive the formula: \\T=...
  35. S

    Is There a Link Between Hair Color and Telepathy in GCSE Physics?

    I have no idea if this is the right forum for this, but I'd genuinely like to hear what real scientists think of this question which is taken from a GCSE Physics test paper. Frances claims she can read people's minds. She asks them to think of a number. She says she can tell whether they are...
  36. A

    Resit English GCSE for PhD Application?

    I was wondering...say if i wanted to apply for a phD at oxbridge (ok I am being a bit ambitious), would my GCSE results be looked at?...i mean would they be significantly important? beacause my english lang/lit GCSE isn't good..C/C but that was on a very bad day and i thought i actually failed...
  37. A

    My gcse results even tho u prob dont care

    jus want to let every1 kno this is what i got... A* Chemistry A* Physics A* Biology A* ICT A Art B French B Maths CC English C welsh :smile: im gunna take maths an science for A level
  38. M

    Gcse PHysics coursework practical help

    Gcse Physics practical coursework help needed. Hey guys, my topic is something like what factors affect how far a noodle pot travels when in a catapult. Frankly... I'm stumped. Any ideas whatsoever will help, I'm ok at physics but this has just gone and killed me. We have to use formulas and...
  39. V

    Is anyone taking there science GCSE`S this year,?

    Is anyone taking there science GCSE`S this year,?
  40. T

    WJEC GCSE Physics 2 Higher Tier Q5(c)(ii) Help

    Homework Statement Question 5 (c) (ii) from the paper physics 2 higher tier January 2014 by wjec. There is no mark scheme at the moment of the paper and I do not understand the question. The paper is at the bottom of "papers" at...
  41. M

    Using Prisms to See Around Corners and Reflections - GCSE Physics P3

    Hello, I would really appreciate some help with this question as my understanding of the topic is not that great, so trying to decipher the answer from the notes in my textbook is not easy. This is Edexcel GCSE Physics P3. "Draw and label a diagram to show how you could use prisms... A)...
  42. C

    MHB Muffin's GCSE Additional Maths Moments Question (from YAnswers)

    Two painters of mass 50kg and 70 kg stand on a uniform horizontal plank ABCDEFG of mass 40kg and length 8m. B, C, D and E are respectively 1m, 2m, 5m and 6m from A. The 50kg painter stands at B, the 70kg painter at D and the plank's supported at C and E. Find the reaction at each support I...
  43. F

    Kinematics GCSE question

    Hey, Not sure if this is in the right place, move if necessary. So, I know about SUVATs, and non-constant acceleration, using Calculus. I also (basically) understand how to calculate the force of drag on an object. How could I combine the 2, calculate the final velocity/acceleration of a...
  44. V

    How can I ace my GCSE Physics exam? Tips and techniques for success!

    Ive got my GCSE Physics exam in a few weeks and Its going to be really hard. I need some revision techniques and tips on how to stay cool on the big day, thanks
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