Editing GCSE (section)

===Assessment types===
====Modular and linear GCSEs====
In the past, many GCSE qualifications used a modular system, where some assessment (up to 60% under the "terminal rule") could be submitted prior to the final examination series. This allowed for students to take some units of a GCSE before the final examination series, and thus gave indication of progress and ability at various stages, as well as allowing for students to resit exams in which they did not score as highly, in order to boost their grade, before receiving the qualification. Various qualifications were available as both modular and linear schemes, and schools could choose whichever fit best for them.

Under the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] government of David Cameron, reforms were initiated which converted all GCSEs from 2012 (for assessment from 2014) to de facto linear schemes, in advance of the introduction of new specifications between 2015 and 2018 (for first assessment from 2017 to 2020). These new rules required that 100% of the assessment in a GCSE be submitted in the final examination series, at the same time as applying for certification of the full qualification.<ref name="edexcel.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.edexcel.com/Aboutus/press-room/press-releases/Pages/ks4-announcement.aspx|title=GCSE reforms|website=Edexcel.com|access-date=14 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Changes to A levels |url=http://www.education.gov.uk/nctl/examsadmin/news/archive/a00217355/alevels |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140430095946/http://www.education.gov.uk/nctl/examsadmin/news/archive/a00217355/alevels |archive-date=30 April 2014 |access-date=14 June 2015 |website=Education.gov.uk}}</ref><ref name="ocr.org.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-and-a-level-reform/gcse-reform/|title=Latest news and information on the GCSE reform programme – OCR|website=Ocr.org.uk|access-date=14 June 2015}}</ref> The examination boards complied by modifying the syllabi of the remaining GCSE qualifications to remove modular components.<ref name="edexcel.com" /><ref name="ocr.org.uk" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gce/gce15/Pages/default.aspx|title=Edexcel A levels|website=Edexcel.com|access-date=14 June 2015}}</ref>

====Coursework and controlled assessment====
In some subjects, one or more controlled assessment or coursework assignments may also be completed. These may contribute either a small or large proportion of the final grade. In practical and performance subjects, they generally have a heavier weighting to reflect the difficulty and potential unfairness of conducting examinations in these areas.

In the past, these were available in a variety of subjects, including extended writing in English, the sciences, business, and foreign languages; practical assessment in the sciences and technology subjects; and speaking assessments in languages. Since the 2010s reform, the availability has been cut back, with mostly only design and technology subjects and performing arts retaining their controlled assessment contributions. In English language, the spoken language assessment has been downgraded to an endorsement which is reported separately on the English certificate, not contributing to the grade. The English spoken language assessments are set throughout the course and assessed by teachers. Students can be awarded a Pass, Merit, Distinction or Not Classified. In the sciences, practical exercises are a required part of the qualification, but are not directly assessed; they are only endorsed by a teacher's statement.

The balance between controlled assessment and examinations is contentious, with the time needing to be set aside for coursework sessions being seen as a burden on the school timetable. However, the use of controlled assessment allows for the marking of some work outside of examination season, and can ease the burden on students to perform well on the day of the examination.