GovWire

Main trends

• The total GCSE entries in English language and mathematics in November 2022 decreased by 10% compared to 2021, from 114,040 to 102,405. The number of entries in November 2022 are similar to entries in 2019 (109,495 entries) and 2018 (104,710 entries). Variation of entries over recent years may reflect alternative awarding arrangements for summer series in 2020 and 2021, and different approaches to grading in summer 2022.
• Entries for English language decreased by 7% from 50,345 in 2021 to 46,900 this year.
• Entries for mathematics decreased by 13% from 63,695 in 2021 to 55,500 this year.
• As in previous years, the majority of entries in GCSE mathematics were for the foundation tier (95%). The remaining students (5%) entered for the higher tier paper.
• Entries by year 12 and 13 students decreased both respect to 2021 and 2019.