What is the hardest GCSE to take?

Asked by: Prof. Ed McDermott II  |  Last update: October 21, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (15 votes)

Summary. Whilst each GCSE subject varies in difficulty based on individual strengths and interests, some subjects have a reputation for being particularly hard. GCSE Maths, GCSE Sciences, Modern Foreign Languages, GCSE English Literature, and History often rank among the hardest GCSE subjects.

What is the most difficult GCSE?

According to the statistics from Ofqual, these are the hardest GCSE subjects:
  1. 1 - GCSE Maths.
  2. 2 - GCSE Art & Design (3D Design)
  3. 3 - GCSE English Language.
  4. 4 - GCSE Citizenship Studies.
  5. 5 - GCSE Geography.
  6. 6 - GCSE Design and Technology.
  7. 7 - GCSE History.
  8. 8 - GCSE Psychology.

What is the easiest GCSE to take?

The Top Ten Easiest GCSE Subjects
  • Computer Science.
  • Religious Studies.
  • History.
  • Geography.
  • English Lit, Food Prep & Nutrition, PE, Business Studies, Psychology, Sociology.
  • Maths.
  • English Lang.
  • Combined Science/Double Science.

What is the least taken GCSE?

There isn't a specific GCSE that is universally the least chosen one. This differs from year to year and school to school. However, some less common options include Classical Civilisation, History, Welsh, and other Science subjects.

Is it OK to fail 1 GCSE?

If you fail your GCSE exams, don't worry. There are alternative options available. You can retake the exams, consider different subjects, or explore vocational qualifications. Failing doesn't define your future.

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What is the most passed GCSE subject?

Ranking of Best Pass Rates
  • GCSE Drama. GCSE Drama has a pass rate of 74.1%, making it the GCSE with one of the highest pass rates. ...
  • GCSE Religious Studies. This is an easy and relaxed subject with a pass rate of 71.9%. ...
  • GCSE Physical Education. ...
  • GCSE Film Studies. ...
  • GCSE Food Technology.

What are the most respected GCSEs?

GCSE options do matter

English and maths (sometimes science) are the GCSEs that universities are most likely to be interested in – and you don't get the option of dropping these. So whatever GCSEs you choose, you'll still have a broad range of unis to make up your mind over (if you get the grades, that is).

Can you get 100% in GCSE?

Having achieved 10 A* grades (4 with a score of 100%), the author shares practical tips on revision and exam technique directly relating to current GCSE specifications, including specific subject advice.

Can I drop a GCSE in year 11?

Students who change course must catch up the work within the timeframe set by the subject leader. Students will not be allowed to drop option subjects in Year 10-11 unless they have a letter from a consultant and the issue raised is consistent with evidence seen in school.

How hard are GCSEs in 2024?

The million-dollar question: will 2024 GCSE exams be tougher? While standards should stay consistent, exam boards are constantly refining assessments to ensure they reflect the curriculum and challenge students appropriately. So no, GCSE exams shouldn't be any harder in 2024 than previous years.

What is the most important GCSE subject to pass?

Research shows that achieving 5 GCSEs at grades 4-9, including English and Maths, significantly increases your chances of accessing higher education and better job opportunities. Employers want people with good Maths and English GCSEs.

Can you get a 0 in GCSE?

For Maths, English Language and English Literature, as you may already be aware, students in Year 10 will be graded using the new numerical system 9 to 1 (with 9 being the highest grade and 1 being the lowest, 0 for ungraded/fail).

What are the easiest GCSE to take?

Top 10 easiest GCSE subjects (ranked by students)

From this point of view, the top 10 chosen by students places subjects in the following order, from easiest to hardest: Geography, Film Studies, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Hospitality and Catering, Business Studies, Drama, Physical Education, and Sociology.

What is the hardest exam in the UK?

UK exams that are among the hardest in the world
  • The United Kingdom's Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT)
  • It's not easy to become a lawyer - The UK's Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) is another proof of that. ...
  • NATS assessments.
  • Air traffic control is an incredibly challenging and high-stakes job.

What is the most GCSEs ever taken?

A 16-year-old Pakistani girl in London achieved 34 GCSE certificates, the highest number of subjects ever taken by a student in the history of the UK and the European Union.

Is 70% good in GCSE?

A score of 70% will usually get you a grade 7 or 8 at GCSE, depending on the subject and your exam board's grade boundaries for that year. Here are the percentages you'll need to reach a grade 8 in English and Maths. Most are just above or below the 70% mark.

What is the hardest GCSE to pass?

Summary. Whilst each GCSE subject varies in difficulty based on individual strengths and interests, some subjects have a reputation for being particularly hard. GCSE Maths, GCSE Sciences, Modern Foreign Languages, GCSE English Literature, and History often rank among the hardest GCSE subjects.

What GCSE grade is 95%?

If a paper is allocated 120 uniform marks, the range of marks allocated to grade B is 84 to 95 (70% to 79% of 120); for grade C, 72 to 83 (60% to 69% of 120).

What is the least picked GCSE?

According to TES magazine, the five least popular GCSE subjects, based on the number of students sitting them are:
  • Welsh as a second language. If you live in Wales then Welsh is one of the compulsory subjects that every student must take. ...
  • Manufacturing. ...
  • Other sciences. ...
  • General studies. ...
  • Classical subjects.

Do GCSEs matter for Oxford?

GCSEs. GCSEs will be taken into account when we consider your application but they are just one aspect that we look at. GCSE results will be considered alongside your personal statement, academic reference, predicted grades and performance in any written work or written test required for your course.

Are GCSEs harder nowadays?

You've probably heard a lot about the new GCSEs being designed to be more difficult. And it's true that the questions are harder and that their purpose is to push talented students further. However, contrary to common opinion – and, you might think, common sense - this doesn't make it harder to get a good grade.

Will 2024 GCSE be harder?

To this effect, the 2024 exams are not expected to be either significantly easier or more challenging than their counterparts from last year. There may be some exceptions, but in general, the difficulty of last year's past papers will still give you a good idea of how hard the actual exam will be!

What is the hardest exam board for GCSE?

Which is the Hardest Exam Board? Difficulty in Achieving Top Grades: WJEC is known for its rigorous marking scheme and challenging exam content. Statistical evidence shows that fewer students achieve the highest grades (Grade 7 and above) under WJEC compared to other exam boards like AQA or OCR​.