OCR's new range of GCSE Short Courses count as half a GCSE.

They are designed to take around half the study time of a full GCSE and although they are graded on the same scale, they cover fewer topics.

GCSE Short Courses have been created to give candidates more options on how they can study. For example, they can allow more able students to take extra subjects if the school timetable prevents them from taking another full GCSE.

They also provide learners with a clear progression route to other Foundation or Intermediate Level qualifications within the National Qualifications Framework, or to A Level qualifications.

QCA accredited specifications and specimen assessment materials (SAMs) for new Short Course GCSEs are now available to download, please see the list below.

We will publish final assessment dates for current GCSEs as soon as they are available.

GCSE Short Course qualifications (for first teaching in 2009)