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Confused about the different GCSE exam boards?
You’re not alone. With names like AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC and CCEA thrown around, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially when different schools (and even different subjects) use different exam boards.
This guide will explain each exam board, how they compare, and what each means for GCSE preparation.
Understanding the differences between exam boards can help students revise more effectively and approach past papers and assessments with greater confidence.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
What an exam board does
The differences between the five main GCSE boards
Why understanding your board matters for revision and success
What are GCSE exam boards and why do they matter?
GCSE exam boards are the organisations responsible for setting and marking exam papers. They design the content, structure, and assessment criteria for each GCSE subject. While all boards follow the national curriculum requirements set by Ofqual, the way topics are taught, assessed, and worded can differ between boards.
Knowing the exam board helps to:
Focus revision on the right content
Practise with past papers that match exam style
Understand how exams will be marked
Where and when is each GCSE exam board used?
Most students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland sit exams from one of five main boards. The subject department usually chooses the school's board and will stay consistent throughout the GCSE course.
AQA, Edexcel and OCR are used in schools across England
WJEC (Eduqas) is common in Wales and is also used by some schools in England
CCEA is mainly used in Northern Ireland
Schools will share which board they're using for each GCSE subject, or you can work it out by checking course specifications or past papers provided in class.
Format and structure
While all boards assess the same subject areas, they may differ in:
Understanding these differences helps you target your revision more effectively and avoid surprises on exam day.
GCSE Exam Boards Overview
Here’s a quick guide to the five main boards and what they’re known for:
AQA
(Assessment and Qualifications Alliance)
One of the largest boards in the UK
Popular for English, Science and Humanities
Known for detailed mark schemes and balanced papers
Website: aqa.org.uk
Edexcel
(Pearson Edexcel)
Run by the global education company Pearson
Offers both GCSE and International GCSE qualifications
Frequently used for Maths and Business Studies
Known for structured, clearly scaffolded exam papers
Website: qualifications.pearson.com
OCR
(Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations)
Part of Cambridge University Press and Assessment
Offers both academic and vocational qualifications
Known for subjects like Computer Science and History
Website: ocr.org.uk
WJEC
(Welsh Joint Education Committee)
The main exam board for schools in Wales
Offers qualifications through its English brand, Eduqas
Used by some English schools for English, Drama and RE
Website: eduqas.co.uk
CCEA
(Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment)
Northern Ireland’s dedicated exam board
Covers all major subjects for GCSE and A level in Northern Ireland
Website: ccea.org.uk
Marking and Grading
All exam boards use the same 9 to 1 grading system, and Ofqual regulates marking to ensure fairness.
Each board:
Trains examiners to mark consistently across subjects
Publishes grade boundaries after results are in
Allows for appeals and reviews of marking
Grade boundaries can differ slightly between boards depending on the difficulty of each paper in a given year.
Common challenges
1. Not knowing the correct exam board
Many students don’t realise which exam board they’re studying with until well into Year 10 or 11. This can make accessing the right revision materials and past papers harder. Knowing the exam board early helps to avoid wasting time on resources that don’t match the correct syllabus.
2. Practising with the wrong past papers
Not all GCSE papers are created the same. Different exam boards phrase questions differently, organise their papers in unique ways, and sometimes focus on slightly different content. Using past papers from the wrong board can cause confusion and lead to poor exam technique.
3. Confusing exam formats between subjects
Sitting GCSEs across multiple exam boards (which is common) can make it difficult to keep track of how each subject is assessed. Some papers have short-answer sections followed by essays, while others are fully multiple-choice or data-heavy. This can cause problems if revision strategies are not tailored to the specific format.
4. Misunderstanding the specification
Each exam board publishes detailed specifications for every subject. However, many students revise from general textbooks or notes that do not always match their specific course. This can result in time spent on topics that will not be tested, or key areas missed entirely.
Summary: What you need to know
All exam boards follow the same national curriculum, but each one puts its own spin on structure, wording and assessment style. Understanding which board you're working with can help you revise more effectively, reduce confusion and feel more prepared heading into exam season.
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