GCSE specification changes for 2026: What you need to know
By Atom | Aug 14, 2025, 9:05 AM
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From summer 2026, some GCSE subjects will look a little different. Assessment formats are changing, subject content is being updated, and in some cases, the way students sit their exams will shift too.
Knowing what’s coming up means you can prepare confidently and avoid last-minute surprises, whether you're a parent, student, or teacher.
In this article, we’ll cover:
The key GCSE specification changes confirmed for 2026 and beyond
Specific updates to maths, physics, and combined science
Who will be affected by the changes and when
How to prepare for the new exam formats and support materials
Practical tips to adapt revision and teaching strategies
What’s changing: maths, physics & combined science
Ofqual confirmed final plans in November 2024 that affect GCSE assessments in 2025, 2026 & 2027:
Formulae & equation sheets will continue
For GCSE maths, students will receive a printed formula sheet, covering the same content as the 2022–2024 versions.
Physics and Combined Science exams will include an equation sheet.
Maths sheets are also confirmed for the November exams in those years.
Timelines for availability
The formulae and equation sheets will be published well ahead of the exams so students and teachers can get used to using them:
For 2026 and 2027 exams, these support materials will be published by 1 September in the academic year of the exam (i.e., September 2025 for 2026 exams, and September 2026 for 2027 exams).
This gives schools and students time to integrate them into teaching and revision before exam season.
Why this matters
These changes remove some of the pressure to memorise long lists of formulas and equations, meaning students can focus on understanding and applying their knowledge instead.
Ofqual’s public consultation received over 2,100 responses from teachers, school leaders, parents, students and subject associations. An overwhelming majority supported the decision:
94% supported continuing the use of a formula sheet in GCSE maths
95% supported the use of an equation sheet in GCSE physics and combined science.
Respondents included teachers, school leaders, parents, students, and subject associations. Their feedback reflected a strong preference for reducing memorisation and supporting students’ ability to apply knowledge under exam conditions.
(Source: Ofqual consultation outcome, November 2024 – gov.uk)
By providing these sheets in the exam, the system becomes fairer and more focused on understanding, not just recall. That means better outcomes for students of all abilities.
Which cohorts are affected?
These changes apply to students taking their GCSE exams in 2026 or 2027. That includes most students currently in Year 10 or Year 11 in the 2025-26 academic year.
So, whether you’re teaching, supporting, or preparing for GCSEs in these years, you can expect these changes to be part of the exam experience.
How to prepare (and revise) effectively
Get familiar with the support sheets early
Download and review the 2022–24 formula & equation sheets as soon as possible, as early exposure will help to embed understanding and familiarity.
Practice applying, rearranging, and manipulating the formulas.
Adjust revision resources
Schools will teach with the knowledge that students will use support materials in exams.
Choose revision materials reflecting this: focus on problem-solving, not memory drills.
Once the 2026 sheets are released in September 2025, download them and integrate them into practice papers.
Work on comprehension and reasoning
As Ofqual emphasised, the goal is to test understanding, application, and rearrangement skills, not recall.
Use question banks and past papers to practise identifying the correct formula or equation based on context and then using it.
Final thoughts
These updates, continuing formulae/equation sheets for GCSE maths, physics, and combined science through to 2027, bring clarity and fairness. Students can now devote more energy to a deeper understanding and less to memorisation. Students can concentrate on mastering core skills vital for GCSE success and beyond.
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