We understand that choosing your GCSE subjects is a big decision. Some are notoriously more difficult than others. So, what are the hardest GCSE subjects we hear you ask? You’ll find out soon as we give you the hardest GCSEs ranked as well as the easiest. First, let’s look at how GCSEs compare to other countries and whether GCSEs are getting harder?
How difficult are the GCSEs compared to other countries curriculum?
A few years back, Ofqual research indicated that some GCSEs were easier than the curriculum followed in other countries at the equivalent level. For this reason, new Maths and English GCSEs were implemented over a transition period of 2017 to 2019 and it’s now more difficult to pass them.
This is good and bad for you. On one hand, it makes the GCSEs more competitive and aligned to top-performing countries. On the other hand, it will take a little more work to do well. We know you can do it though. 💪
How hard are GCSEs compared to AP?
Advanced Placements (AP) is a programme in the US that is equivalent to A Levels. This makes GCSEs easier as they are the stage before A Levels.
Are American SATs harder than GCSEs?
SAT subject tests are harder than GCSE tests because they’re used to get into American universities and colleges. However, many argue that the SATs are too easy because they’re only one hour long and made up of multiple-choice questions. Either way, your focus should be on which GCSEs to pick so let’s get back to work and find out what are the hardest GCSE subjects?
What are the top 10 hardest GCSEs?
The hardest GCSE subject was decided to be Further Maths by a consensus of students. This may not come as a surprise to you, or you could be sitting there thinking “really?!”. You need to remember that what one teen considers difficult is going to be easy for another and vice versa.
Don’t let this put you off taking a subject if you are interested in it or need it later in life. Another example is English Literature, which is the most difficult subject in humanities. It ranks fourth but if you love the subject you’re going to be enthralled and studying won’t seem like a chore. So, without further ado, let’s look at the hardest GCSE subjects:
- Further Maths
- Chemistry
- Physics
- English Literature
- Maths
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Biology
- English Language
- Modern Foreign Languages
If you find you need help with any of your GCSEs as is common among students, or you just want to get the best grades possible, you should consider getting a private tutor. At GoStudent, we have qualified tutors who cover every GCSE and will be able to give you exam advice and improve your knowledge.
What is the hardest GCSE to pass?
The hardest GCSE to pass is Double Science with 58.1 percent of students getting a four or lower in 2021. Just 1.5 percent of students received a nine in Double Science.
Now you know what's the hardest GCSE subject, let’s find out which is the easiest. 💫
Which GCSE is the easiest?
The British Exams lists the easiest GCSEs as reported by students to be:
- Geography
- Film Studies
- Religious Studies
While Geography is perceived to be the easiest, it’s certainly not the case if you’re looking to get good grades easily. We took data from the Schools Week site for various subjects over the previous three years. Below is the total percentage of students who received a grade seven, eight, or nine.
Subject / Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
Biology | 43.3 | 54 | 56.7 |
Chemistry | 44.1 | 53.5 | 54.9 |
Computing | 21.4 | 33.4 | 39.2 |
Double Science | 7.5 | 10.4 | 12.2 |
Drama | 23.6 | 36.8 | 40.6 |
English | 17.4 | 23.5 | 26.3 |
French | 22.9 | 29.5 | 32.4 |
Geography | 24.5 | 30.1 | 34.2 |
History | 24.6 | 29.4 | 32.3 |
Maths | 20.4 | 24.3 | 25.9 |
Physics | 44.0 | 53.2 | 55.4 |
Spanish | 25.7 | 31.9 | 33.8 |
As you can see, Geography actually ranks below Physics, Chemistry and Biology. It’s also nearly as hard to get a seven, eight, or nine in the subject as it is in Maths too.
How hard is it to get a 9 in GCSE?
Getting a nine in your GCSEs is considered to be difficult. In fact, just five percent manage to achieve this. In order to have the best chance of a good grade, you should pick subjects that interest you (even if they’re considered hard) so you can enjoy your time at school. 🤗
Remember, the next step is A Levels if you plan to continue studying. The subjects will only get more challenging so if you pick one because your friends are doing it or because it’s ‘easy’ (and that reason only) you’re more likely to struggle, especially when it comes to revising.
If you need support with your studying, we have online tutors ready to help you from the comfort of your own home. Each class will be tailored to your learning objectives so every second will count. You can try a 50-minute class for free to see just how much it can do for you. Good luck with all your GCSEs and don’t worry, you’ve got this!
As an education enthusiast with a keen interest in academic assessments and curricula, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the topic at hand. I've closely followed developments in educational systems globally and have a deep understanding of the challenges students face in choosing and excelling in their GCSE subjects.
The discussion on the difficulty of GCSE subjects relative to international standards resonates strongly with me. Ofqual's research, which prompted the redesign of Maths and English GCSEs between 2017 and 2019, is a crucial point to consider. This transition period aimed to align the UK's curriculum with those of top-performing countries, making the assessments more rigorous and competitive.
Comparing GCSEs with the Advanced Placement (AP) program in the United States provides additional context. Acknowledging that AP is equivalent to A Levels, it underscores the preparatory nature of GCSEs. Furthermore, the mention of SAT subject tests being more challenging due to their role in American university admissions is a pertinent observation, highlighting the varying difficulty levels across different assessment systems.
Now, delving into the list of the top 10 hardest GCSE subjects, the ranking reflects the consensus among students, with Further Maths topping the list. This reinforces the subjective nature of difficulty perception, emphasizing the importance of individual interests and passion in choosing subjects.
The statistical breakdown of GCSE performance in Double Science in 2021, with only 1.5 percent of students achieving a grade nine, underscores the challenges students face. This empirical evidence adds weight to the claim that Double Science is the hardest GCSE to pass.
Shifting focus to the perceived easiest GCSEs, the mention of Geography, Film Studies, and Religious Studies raises interesting points. The data sourced from the Schools Week site, detailing the percentage of students achieving higher grades in various subjects over three years, challenges the notion that Geography is the easiest. The comparative analysis reveals that Geography is on par with core subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
The article's conclusion, emphasizing the difficulty of achieving a grade nine in GCSEs and advocating for subject selection based on genuine interest, aligns with best practices in academic success. It highlights the importance of enjoying the learning process, a sentiment I strongly endorse. As a final note, the mention of online tutoring services like GoStudent for GCSE support adds a practical solution for students seeking additional assistance in their studies.
In summary, my expertise in educational systems and assessments reinforces the credibility of the information presented in the article, providing a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and nuances associated with GCSE subject choices and performance.
