GCSE Exam Boards Explained: AQA vs Edexcel vs OCR

Choosing the right GCSE exam board can feel like a crucial decision in achieving success. If you’re a school student preparing for your GCSEs, your teachers will have carefully considered the best exam board for your class. But with several different exam boards all offering different takes on each subject, the picture can seem confusing. If you’re a homeschool parent deciding on which GCSE exam board is best for your child, you may feel a little lost among all the acronyms. 

There’s no need to worry. All exam boards have to stick to national standards, so a GCSE from one board is worth exactly the same as another. However, they do differ in their assessment styles, subject offerings, and resources. 

This guide will demystify the major UK GCSE exam boards - AQA, Edexcel, and OCR - to help you make an informed choice.

List of UK GCSE Exam Boards

The main GCSE exam boards in the UK are:

• AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance)

• Edexcel (Pearson Edexcel)

• OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations)

• WJEC (Welsh Joint Education Committee)

• CCEA (Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment)

GCSE exam boards, also known as awarding bodies, are the organisations that set the exams for schools and colleges. They all cover a range of subjects, so you’ll often find the same GCSE exam boards sets the assessments for several of your exams. 

If you attend school in England, you’re likely to work mainly with AQA, OCR or Edexcel. If you live in Wales, your exam board may well be WJEC, while for Northern Ireland, you’re likely to be with CCEA.

What is AQA?

AQA, or the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance, is the leading exam board in England. It sets and marks over half of all GCSEs and A-levels taken in the UK every year.

AQA focuses on delivering high-quality assessments and resources to support student learning. An independent education charity, AQA reinvests its income into charitable activities and research to help young people achieve their potential

Subjects covered by AQA

AQA offers GCSEs in a wide range of subjects, including:

• English Language and Literature

• Mathematics

• Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Combined Science)

• Humanities (History, Geography)

• Modern Foreign Languages

• Arts (Art and Design, Music, Drama)

• Physical Education

• Computer Science

• Business Studies

• Religious Studies

(​​AQA | Qualifications)

AQA Assessment Style

AQA's assessment style focuses on written exams. However, it does combine this with practical assessments in some subjects where applicable, for example, in arts or practical sciences.

Key Differentiators

Many schools choose AQA because of its detailed and clear specifications. As a GCSE Religious Studies teacher, I opted for the AQA specification for many years. This was because the detailed specification provided for my subject made it clear exactly what our students needed to learn. 

I also appreciated the clarity and consistency of AQA’s exam papers. This made the whole process of preparing for exams and practising past papers straightforward. 

AQA has a comprehensive range of support materials which are freely available to students and anyone supporting learners with their revision. 

What is Edexcel?

Edexcel, officially known as Pearson Edexcel, is so named as a blend of the words “education” and “excellence”. Edexcel is part of Pearson, a global education company. Alongside AQA, it is one of the largest exam boards in the UK and offers a broad spectrum of academic and vocational qualifications. These include GCSEs, A-levels, and NVQs. 

Subjects covered by Edexcel

Edexcel offers GCSEs in over 40 subjects, including:

• English Language and Literature

• Mathematics

• Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Combined Science)

• Humanities (History, Geography)

• Modern Foreign Languages

• Arts (Art and Design, Music, Drama)

• Physical Education

• Computer Science

• Business Studies

• Religious Studies

Pearson Edexcel GCSEs

Edexcel Assessment Style

Edexcel's assessment style varies according to subject. GCSE assessments primarily consist of written examinations, with coursework components in certain subjects like Art and Design.

Key Differentiators

Many schools choose Edexcel because, like AQA, it provides clear and detailed specifications for teachers. Assessments, too, are consistent in format from year to year, making preparation easier. 

In some subjects, such as English Literature, Edexcel offers the opportunity for students to undertake more analysis of the historical context of texts, rather than just textual analysis. Exams may contain more practical and creative elements than AQA assessments. 

Subject teachers look carefully at these factors when choosing the best exam board for their students. If you’re homeschooling, look at Edexcel past papers in each subject on the Save My Exams website to get a flavour of the type of questions your child may be asked.

What is OCR?

OCR, or Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations, is a UK-based exam board affiliated with the University of Cambridge. It offers a wide range of qualifications, including GCSEs, A-levels, and vocational courses.

Subjects covered by OCR

OCR offers 26 different GCSE subject areas. Subjects include:

• English Language and Literature

• Mathematics

• Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Combined Science)

• Humanities (History, Geography)

• Modern Foreign Languages

• Classics (Classical Civilisation, Classical Greek, Latin)

• Arts (Art and Design, Music, Drama)

• Physical Education

• Computer Science

• Business Studies

• Religious Studies

OCR Assessment Style

OCR's assessments combine written exams with coursework or practical evaluations where appropriate. Exams tend to emphasise the importance of critical thinking and analytical skills. This means case studies and real-life scenarios may often be incorporated into exam questions.

Key Differentiators

With OCR’s strong links to academic institutions, its qualifications are renowned for being academically rigorous. Its commitment to continuous improvement keeps its offerings current and engaging. 

For example, OCR is renowned as a leader in modernising Computer Science education to incorporate developments in this fast-changing field, such as cyber security and programming. At the same time, OCR maintains pathways in subjects where ancient wisdom needs to be preserved for future generations, for example, Classical Civilisation.

GCSE qualifications - OCR

Differences Between UK GCSE Exam Boards

AQA versus OCR

AQA emphasises the practical application of knowledge. Therefore, if you’re thinking about which exam board is best for science, for example, you may wish to opt for AQA. Practical assessments are included in the curriculum, while assessments test students’ ability to apply scientific principles or mathematical concepts to real-world contexts.

It’s always worth looking at the approach to specific subjects, as there are instances where OCR offer options that AQA don’t cover. For example, the OCR History GCSE allows learners to study the history of their local area, not just global events. AQA allows a more thematic approach to its History syllabus.

OCR versus Edexcel

With its international approach, Edexcel offers IGCSE qualifications to suit international learners, which makes it an excellent alternative to OCR for students outside the UK. 

Like OCR, Edexcel offers academically rigorous qualifications. You may wish to choose Edexcel over OCR if you’re looking for a modular approach to assessments, rather than the more traditional linear format which would require you to learn all of your materials for end-of-course assessments.

Edexcel versus AQA

Edexcel and AQA are both prominent exam boards with extensive resources. Therefore, both offer plenty of clarity and support materials to help with study. 

AQA is often regarded as the best fit for students who like progressive forms of exams where shorter answers lead to longer extended answer questions, rewarding well-structured writing in English and humanities subjects. Edexcel is often seen as more ‘accessible’ and may suit learners who appreciate the simple ‘bullet point’ approach to some answers.

Edexcel's global reach and vocational options make it suitable for students seeking flexibility and practical pathways, and students outside the UK.

How to Choose a GCSE Exam Board

If you’re choosing a GCSE exam board for your homeschooled children, there are four key questions you should consider:

1.Which exam board offers subjects my child wants to study?

All the major GCSE exam boards, AQA, Edexcel, and OCR offer the core subjects of English, Maths, and Science. 

If your child wants to take less common GCSEs, like Classical Civilisation or certain languages, you should check each board's subject list, as offerings can vary.

2. What assessment style best suits my child’s learning style?

AQA often has accessible, clearly structured exams and support resources. Edexcel is consistent in its exam format and offers IGCSEs, which can be helpful for international or flexible learners. OCR tends to focus more on analytical skills and real-world application. 

If your child thrives on practical or coursework elements, check whether the subject includes these and how they're assessed.

3. Is the exam board suitable for home-educated students?

AQA, Edexcel, and OCR all allow home-educated students to sit exams as private candidates, but some subjects (like practical Science or Drama) may be harder to access because they require internal assessments or controlled conditions. Edexcel’s IGCSEs often have more flexible assessment options for home-educated learners.

4. Where and how can my child sit the exams?

Homeschooled students must register as private candidates with an exam centre, such as an independent school or private exam centre. Edexcel IGCSEs are often easier to access internationally or outside of school settings. AQA and OCR exams are widely available across the UK but may require more planning for coursework-based subjects. Check the details carefully with your local exam centre before embarking on a GCSE course with your child.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Know Which Exam Board I’m Studying?

The best way to check which exam board you’re studying is simply to ask your teacher. 

If you’re homeschooled, check the headings of any syllabus lists of content or past papers. It’s good practice to record the exam board for each subject somewhere at the front of your study books or folder at the start of your course, so you won’t forget it.

Can I Choose My GCSE Exam Board?

If you’re studying at a school or college, then the simple answer is no.

Your teachers will have chosen the best exam board for your whole class after carefully considering which one will best suit you all.

If you’re homeschooled, you will have greater control over which exam board you choose. However, you will need to organise your assessments via an official exam centre. Not every exam centre offers access to every board, so you’ll need to investigate carefully before starting your course of study. 

What is the Best GCSE Exam Board?

There is no ‘best’ GCSE exam board.

AQA, Edexcel and OCR are the most popular in the UK. However, one is not better than another. They do offer different approaches to assessment and different subject content. This means that schools take good care to choose the exam board best suited to the strengths of their teachers and requirements of their learners. Trust us, this is often not an easy decision!

Do Universities Prefer Any Exam Boards?

No, universities treat GCSE qualifications from all exam boards as equally valid.

Because all qualifications are regulated by Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation), each GCSE carries equal weight. Universities are also aware that if you’ve attended a school or college, you won’t have chosen which board you studied with. It wouldn’t be fair to favour one over another.

Final Thoughts

No matter which exam board you opt for, the process of preparing for GCSEs remains exactly the same. Once you’ve embarked on your chosen courses, you’ll never think about the alternatives ever again! 

At Save My Exams, our subject specialists have prepared revision resources to match the specific requirements of all the most popular GCSE exam boards. You can use our website with complete confidence that whether you’re studying for an AQA, Edexcel or OCR GCSE, you’re in the hands of experts.

Improve Your GCSE Grades With Save My Exams

At Save My Exams, you’ll find revision notes, exam questions, past papers and flashcards to aid your revision. 

Teachers and examiners write our resources. That means notes, questions by topic and worked solutions show exactly what the examiners for each exam are looking for. 

As a result, you can walk into your exams confident and prepared. In fact, 91% of students who use Save My Exams report getting better grades.

Explore Our GCSE Revision Resources

References

AQA
AQA | Qualifications
Pearson Edexcel GCSEs
For School | Pearson UK
OCR
GCSE qualifications - OCR
Ofqual - GOV.UK