# GCSE tutoring online > GCSEs (General Certificates of Secondary Education) are the main qualifications taken by students in England at the end of Year 11, usually at age 16. They are set by exam boards including AQA, Pearson Edexcel and OCR and graded 9 to 1. Many British-curriculum schools in the Gulf also offer them. Source: https://www.gradeupinternational.com/gcse Last updated: 2026-10-01 Publisher: GradeUp International (https://www.gradeupinternational.com/) | Fact | Detail | | --- | --- | | Qualification | GCSE (AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR) | | Exam boards | AQA; Pearson Edexcel; OCR | | Typical age | 14–16 | | May/June series | Exams run in May and June; results are released in late August. | | November resits series | GCSE English Language and Mathematics can be resat in November. | | Grading | GCSEs in England are graded 9 to 1, with 9 the highest and U for ungraded. A grade 4 is described as a standard pass and a grade 5 as a strong pass. Tiered subjects such as Mathematics and the sciences have Foundation papers, which cover grades 5 to 1, and Higher papers, which cover grades 9 to 4 (with an allowed grade 3). | | Fees | 1:1 2,800 PKR / 110 AED / 22 GBP per class; group 9,500 PKR per subject per month | We teach GCSE subjects online for AQA, Pearson Edexcel and OCR, matching each lesson to the student's board, specification and tier. Tutors start by finding the topics that are costing the most marks, then build a plan that runs up to the summer exams. Sessions mix explanation with exam-style questions, and students practise reading mark schemes so they learn how to show working and structure longer answers. GCSE tutoring suits students in Years 10 and 11 who want to reach a target grade, students preparing for a November resit in English Language or Maths, and families abroad following a British curriculum. Lessons are scheduled in UK or Gulf time, and parents receive regular progress notes so they know which topics have been covered and what is next. ## AQA, Pearson Edexcel and OCR The three main GCSE boards in England teach broadly the same national subject content, but their papers, question styles and mark schemes differ. A student's school chooses the board for each subject, and it can vary from subject to subject. We match each student with a tutor who knows the right specification, so practice questions and mark-scheme advice line up with the exams they will actually sit. ## Foundation and Higher tiers Maths, the sciences and some languages have two tiers. Foundation papers lead to grades 5 to 1; Higher papers lead to grades 9 to 4, with a grade 3 allowed in some cases. A student on the wrong tier can be capped or miss a grade altogether. Tier entry is decided by the school. Tutoring can help a student secure the Foundation content first, then build the extra topics needed for Higher if that is the goal. ## How 9–1 grades compare with the old letter grades The 9–1 scale replaced A*–G grades in England. Grade 4 broadly lines up with the bottom of the old grade C, grade 7 with the bottom of the old grade A, and grade 9 sits above the old A*. Many sixth forms and colleges set entry requirements of grade 4, 5 or higher in specific subjects. ## Subjects - [Maths](https://www.gradeupinternational.com/gcse/maths) (8300) - [English Language](https://www.gradeupinternational.com/gcse/english-language) (8700) - [Combined Science](https://www.gradeupinternational.com/gcse/combined-science) (8464) - [Physics](https://www.gradeupinternational.com/gcse/physics) (8463) - [Chemistry](https://www.gradeupinternational.com/gcse/chemistry) (8462) - [Biology](https://www.gradeupinternational.com/gcse/biology) (8461) - [Computer Science](https://www.gradeupinternational.com/gcse/computer-science) (8525) ## Frequently asked questions ### What is a pass at GCSE? A grade 4 is a standard pass at GCSE and a grade 5 is a strong pass. Students in England who do not achieve at least a grade 4 in English Language and Mathematics are usually required to keep studying those subjects after Year 11. Sixth forms and colleges often set their own higher grade requirements for A Level courses. ### Can you resit GCSE Maths and English? Yes, GCSE Mathematics and English Language can be resat in the November series as well as the following summer. November resits are mainly for students aged 16 or over. Other GCSE subjects can only be resat in the summer. We can tutor students through a resit with a plan focused on the topics that cost them marks. ### Which GCSE exam board does my child use? Your child's school chooses the exam board for each GCSE subject, and it can differ between subjects. The most common boards are AQA, Pearson Edexcel and OCR. The board is usually shown on school reports, past papers or revision guides, and the school can confirm it. We match tutors to the correct board and specification. ### Should my child sit Foundation or Higher tier? Students aiming for grade 6 or above usually need the Higher tier, because Foundation papers only lead to grades 5 to 1. Foundation can suit students who need to secure a grade 4 or 5 with more confidence. The school makes the final decision, and tutoring can help a student reach the level needed for Higher. ### When should my child start GCSE tutoring? Many families start GCSE tutoring in Year 10, which leaves time to fix gaps before Year 11 exam pressure builds. Starting in Year 11 is still useful, especially with a focused plan around mock results. Short, targeted support before a November resit can also help. A free trial class is a simple way to see what your child needs. ### Do you teach GCSE students outside the UK? Yes, we teach GCSE students in the UK and at British-curriculum schools abroad, including in the UAE and the wider Gulf. Lessons are scheduled in your local time and fees can be shown in your currency on our pricing page. Students sit the exams in person at their school or an approved exam centre. ## Sources - [AQA](https://www.aqa.org.uk/) - [Pearson Edexcel GCSEs](https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses.html) - [OCR](https://www.ocr.org.uk/)