When do GCSE exams start in 2024 and which subject is the hardest?

Nuray Bulbul

8 May 2024 at 2:56 am·3-min read

For hundreds of thousands of GCSE students in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales, exam season is starting this week.

However, when are the tests scheduled, and will they resemble those in 2023?

This is your helpful guide to everything you need to know, including the hardest subjects to teach, when the tests will be held this year (including dates for important courses), and whether or not GCSEs will be made simpler.

What are the dates for GCSE exams in 2024?

GCSE exams begin on Monday, May 9 and run until Friday, June 21.

Maths

The following GCSE mathematics examinations are scheduled on Thursday, May 16 in the morning.

AQA maths paper 1 - foundation and higher
CCEA Mathematics units 1 and 2 - foundation
CCEA Mathematics units 3 and 4 - higher
Edexcel maths paper 1 - foundation and higher
Eduqas maths paper 1 - foundation and higher
OCR maths paper 1 - foundation
OCR maths paper 4 - higher
WJEC maths paper 1 - foundation, intermediate and higher

The GCSE mathematical tests listed below will be administered on Monday, June 3 in the morning.

AQA maths paper 2 - foundation and higher
CCEA maths unit 5 - foundation
CCEA maths unit 6 - foundation
CCEA maths unit 7 - higher
CCEA maths unit 8 - higher
Edexcel maths paper 2 - foundation and higher
Eduqas maths paper 2 - foundation and higher
OCR maths paper 2 - foundation and higher

The GCSE mathematical tests listed below will be administered on Monday, June 10 in the morning.

AQA maths paper 3 - foundation and higher
Edexcel maths paper 3 - foundation and higher
OCR maths paper 3 - foundation and higher

English language

AQA, Edexcel, Eduqas, OCR and WJEC English language paper 1 exams will take place on morning of Thursday, May 23.
CCEA English language unit 1 will take place on the morning of Wednesday, May 8.
AQA, Edexcel, Eduqas OCR and WJEC English language paper 2 exams will take place on morning of Thursday, June 6.
CCEA English language unit 4 will take place on the morning of Monday, May 20.

English literature

AQA, CCEA, Edexcel, Eduqas, OCR and WJEC English literature paper 1 exams will take place on morning of Monday, May 13.
AQA, Edexcel, Eduqas, OCR and WJEC English literature paper 2 exams will take place on morning of Monday, May 20.
CEA English literature paper 2 will take place on the morning of Thursday, May 30.

Science

Will GCSE 2024 be easier?

The impact of the Covid-19 epidemic on tests in recent years has made exam difficulties a contentious issue. But for GCSE students, 2023 marked a relative return to normal.In light of this, it is not anticipated that the 2024 tests will be noticeably simpler or harder than their equivalents from the previous year. The complexity of previous year's practice exams will still give you a decent idea of how challenging the real exam will be.

What are the 5 hardest GCSEs?

According to TutorChase, the hardest GCSE is Maths.

This is followed by Art & Design, English Language, Citizenship Studies, and Geography.

The overall pass rates as well as comments from instructors and students are used to determine this ranking. Understanding these difficulties can help students, parents, and teachers prepare more effectively, even though what constitutes a "hard" GCSE subject can vary.

HuffPost
Cassie's Husband Speaks Out In Wake Of New Video Showing Diddy Assaulting Her
The footage, obtained by CNN, shows the singer-songwriter being beaten, kicked and dragged down a hallway by Sean "Diddy" Combs, in 2016.
CNN
They’ve been stuck for 7 weeks on the ship that crashed into a Baltimore bridge. This is what life is like for the Dali crew
It could be weeks or even months before crew members can leave, due to complications beyond their control. Here’s why they’re still confined – and how they’re coping
Sky News
P Diddy: 'Gut-wrenching' video appears to show Sean Combs assaulting singer Cassie in 2016
"Gut-wrenching" CCTV footage which appears to show Sean "Diddy" Combs attacking singer Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel "has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behaviour" of the rapper, her lawyer has said. The 54-year-old, whose homes in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by Homeland Security Investigations agents in March, has faced a series of public allegations of physical and sexual violence. Footage obtained by CNN appears to show Combs - also known as P Diddy and Puff Daddy - wearing only a white towel as he punches and kicks Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway on 5 March 2016.
BBC
Mansfield nursery worker smeared leftovers in toddler's face
Helen Walker, 49, was caught on CCTV immediately trying to cover up what she had done, police said.
NCA NewsWire
‘Urine and milk’: Thug’s gross prison act
A man set to be deported after viciously attacking another man allegedly behaved appallingly while in prison, including one sick act involving urine and milk.
Australian Associated Press
Police reviewing officer's conduct after baton incident
A brawl outside a regional pub has prompted an internal police probe after footage emerged appearing to show an officer striking a prone man with a baton.
NCA NewsWire
Teen charged over horror knife attack
A man is fighting for his life after allegedly being stabbed multiple times in broad daylight on a suburban street.
BuzzFeed
"He Had Killed His Own Son, Niece, And Brother Later That Day" And 26 More Terrifying Stories About People Who Encountered Or Knew Killers
"I look up and make eye contact and he had more blood splattered on his face, and a huge grin."
BBC
Paul Pelosi attacker sentenced to 30 years in prison
Nancy Pelosi has not discussed the attack with her husband, whose skull was fractured with a hammer.
BuzzFeed
"It Shouldn't Come Out Of Anyone's Mouth": AAPI Folks Are Revealing The Outrageous Microaggressions They've Experienced IRL, And I'm Seething
"The next day, a manager incredulously asked me, 'Why didn't you tell us you're Filipino? We need more diversity points for our store!' I didn't work there for much longer."
The Daily Beast
Opinion: Diddy Defenders Can’t Unsee Disturbing Assault Video
Jason LaVeris“Time tells truth.”That was the cryptic Instagram post left by disgraced hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs just days before surveillance video would reveal the truth—that he physically attacked his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in 2016.The disturbing footage—first obtained by CNN—shows Ventura trying to leave a hotel room with her belongings before being assaulted by Combs. Diddy, who was wearing only a bath towel wrapped around his waist, is seen in the disturbing video grabbing, s
BBC
Canada police say dead US rapist was a serial killer
Police said the suspect, who died in an Idaho prison in 2011, may be behind other unsolved killings.
Australian Associated Press
New laws to crack down on customers abusing workers
Premier Jacinta Allan has used a speech to Labor Party faithful to flag a legislative crackdown on abuse of retail, hospitality and transport workers.
Yahoo News Australia
Police officer allegedly stabbed in the head in Sydney CBD
Fresh details have emerged after an on-duty officer was allegedly stabbed in the back of the head. Find out more.
BBC
Hamas hostages: Stories of the people taken from Israel
It is thought more than 100 Israelis are still being held hostage in Gaza after the 7 October attacks.
Storyful
Suspect Pulls Gun While Stealing 12-Packs of Beer
Fort Worth Police Department released dramatic CCTV footage which showed the moment one of two suspects who stole 12-packs of beer from a gas station in the early hours of May 14 pulled a gun on a worker.“[The suspects] each selected two 12-packs of beer and ran toward the front door without paying,” police said.“One of the suspects pulled a handgun with an extended magazine and pointed it at the victim. The suspects left the store in an older model dark colored Toyota Corolla with a Michael Jordan sticker on the back window.”The suspects were described as: suspect one: Hispanic male wearing gray shorts, a black sweatshirt, and a black ball cap, and suspect two: Hispanic male wearing tan shorts, a black hoodie, black sandals, and a black ball cap.This footage shows the incident. Credit: Fort Worth Police Department via Storyful
The Independent
Fierce fighting in northern Gaza as aid starts to roll off US-built pier
Israeli forces said last week troops were returning to Jabalia to prevent Islamist militants regrouping there
BBC
Diddy apologises after video shows attack on ex-girlfriend
The rapper says he's sorry for his "disgusting behaviour" in a statement on social media.
The Independent
Boy, 14, dies after going into River Tyne in Ovingham
Another boy, 13, in critical condition after huge search for teenagers who went missing on Saturday
BANG Showbiz
Sean 'Diddy' Combs ex-assistant not 'surprised' by assault video footage
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' former assistant, Suzi Siegel, wasn't "surprised" by video footage of him allegedly assaulting Cassie Ventura in a hotel.