Adult GCSE

Yes, adults can definitely take GCSE exams. Learners of all ages can take a GCSE.

If you have been outside of education for a while, there’s a few things it might be useful to know:

• GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education. They are subject-specific qualifications which are often required for entry into further education and certain job roles. They were introduced in 1986 to replace other qualifications such as O-levels and CSEs.
• GCSEs are now graded using the scale of 9 to 1, where 9 is the highest grade you can achieve, and is equivalent to a high A*. 4 in the new grading structure is the new passing grade, equivalent to a low C.
• Even though you can take your GCSEs as a private candidate, this doesn’t mean that you can sit them at any time or from anywhere. Exams must be taken at a registered exam centre, during the main exam period in May/June, although you can resit Maths and English in November.

The subjects you should take depend on what you are using the qualification for. Maths and English are very commonly required for next steps, as they cover skills used in jobs and life. Additionally, science subjects are an asset for careers in healthcare and education.

If you are completing your GCSEs as an adult for a specific purpose, then it is always important to check that you are gaining the right qualifications to get to where you want to be. It is a good idea to check with the admissions team directly to ensure you work towards the right qualification for you.

There is no limit on how many times you can retake your adult GCSE exams. You can keep resitting your exams until you get the grade you need, however, it’s important to note that for all subjects other than maths and English, the exams can only be sat once a year in May/June.

To improve your chances of passing first time, we recommend making use of adult GCSE courses with everything you will need, such as engaging video lessons, clear revision notes, quick-fire practice questions to reinforce your knowledge, and full mock exams with both written and video solutions.

You can take your GCSEs for adults at a registered exam centre. These are often schools or colleges that allow private candidates to sit their exams in-person. You cannot take your GCSEs online or from home.

If you need a qualification that allows you to take your exam from home, functional skills could be the way to go. With fast booking, low exam costs, and Ofqual regulated exams, Pass Functional Skills can help you reach your career goals.

You can book your GCSE exam as an external candidate through our dedicated exam booking pages, or call 020 3633 2975 to speak to our dedicated GCSE support team. If you are unsure which qualifications you need for your next steps, we can help you get to where you need to be. After you book in, we will arrange everything for you, so you can focus on your exam preparation instead of worrying about logistics. You cannot take your GCSE for adults online; exams are sat in person at an exam centre.

The time it takes to complete an adult GCSE course depends on how comprehensive the course is, and your current confidence level with the content. We recommend around 100 hours of study per subject for each of our courses to give you the best chance of passing first time.

At Pass GCSE we know that it is hard to fit revision around your schedule, and so our bespoke courses can be completed entirely at your own pace. With 24/7 access and video solutions, you can work around your schedule to complete your revision.

Costs for GCSE courses vary. Our online GCSE courses are one of the most popular choices as they allow 24/7 access meaning you can revise the full curriculum whenever suits you. As an example, our GCSE Maths Course includes practice questions, video solutions, and progress tracking for £199.20.

It’s also important to know that you may be entitled to the government funding your GCSE course if you meet certain criteria. The easiest way to find out if you qualify for a free or subsidised course is to contact us today. A member of the support team will get in touch to check your eligibility and explain the options available to you.

If you need a qualification that is more flexible than a GCSE, but that still opens doors for your future, then consider functional skills. Level 2 functional skills are a widely accepted equivalent to GCSEs, and you can do your preparation and the exams themselves from home, whenever suits you. As long as you make sure your exam provider is Ofqual regulated, and functional skills exams are accepted for entry to your next steps, then this is a great alternative to retaking your GCSEs.