PagineWales Curriculum Guide & Practice Tests
Wales follows the Curriculum for Wales, organised into six Areas of Learning and Experience (including Languages, Literacy and Communication; Mathematics and Numeracy; Science and Technology; and Humanities) and progression steps rather than key stages. New "Made-for-Wales" GCSEs began first teaching from 2025. Welsh is compulsory to age 16.
- 14 levels
- 310 practice tests
- 2 exam guides
Choose a level
Exams and tests
| Exam | Subjects | When | Counts? |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Personalised Assessments (Years 2–9) | Reading (English and Welsh) and numeracy (procedural and reasoning) | Once or twice during the school year | Diagnostic; reported to parents but not as a grade. |
| GCSEs in Wales (WJEC) | English language, Welsh, maths, sciences, humanities and more | Exams May–June of Year 11 | Used for post-16 progression. |
How school is organized
Reception, Years 1–6 (primary) and Years 7–11 (secondary), with Years 12–13 in sixth form or college.
Finishing school: Students usually take GCSEs at 16 (WJEC/Eduqas), then A levels or vocational qualifications.
Official curriculum: Curriculum for Wales
Other nations
Frequently asked questions
What curriculum does Wales use?
Wales follows the Curriculum for Wales, organised into six Areas of Learning and Experience (including Languages, Literacy and Communication; Mathematics and Numeracy; Science and Technology; and Humanities) and progression steps rather than key stages. New "Made-for-Wales" GCSEs began first teaching from 2025. Welsh is compulsory to age 16.
How are school years organized in Wales?
Reception, Years 1–6 (primary) and Years 7–11 (secondary), with Years 12–13 in sixth form or college.
What is needed to finish school?
Students usually take GCSEs at 16 (WJEC/Eduqas), then A levels or vocational qualifications.
Which exams do students take in Wales?
National Personalised Assessments (Years 2–9); GCSEs in Wales (WJEC).