When revising for GCSEs, having the right resources is essential. Perhaps the most important document you’ll need is the specification — the exam board’s blueprint that tells you exactly what you need to know for your exams.
In this guide, we’ll focus on AQA specifications, one of the UK’s most popular exam boards, and provide direct links to help you access these valuable resources immediately.
Why Specifications Matter
Specifications are the definitive guide to what will be on your exams. They:
- List all topics you need to cover
- Explain what skills will be assessed
- Outline the format of your exams
- Provide clear learning objectives
- Serve as a checklist for your revision
Rather than relying solely on textbooks (which often contain extra information), using the specification ensures you’re focusing on exactly what examiners will test.
Direct Links to AQA GCSE Specifications
Below, you’ll find direct links to download the specification PDFs for all major AQA GCSE subjects. Simply click on the subject to access the official specification document.
Core Subjects
Sciences
Humanities
Languages
Other Popular Subjects
Direct Links to AQA IGCSE (Certificate) Specifications
AQA’s international qualifications are known as AQA Certificates. These are equivalent in level to IGCSEs and are widely used by international schools or students looking for an alternative qualification.
- English Language (8705)
- English Literature (8702)
- Mathematics (8260)
- Biology (8401)
- Chemistry (8402)
- Physics (8403)
How to Use Specifications Effectively
Once you’ve downloaded your subject specifications, here’s how to make the most of them:
- Create a checklist: Work through each section, ticking off topics as you revise them.
- Focus on command words: Pay attention to terms like “explain,” “analyse,” or “evaluate” to understand what depth of knowledge is required.
- Note assessment objectives: Understanding how marks are allocated helps you prioritise your revision.
- Use as a revision guide: Create condensed notes based on specification points rather than textbook chapters.
- Check for required practicals: Science specifications list all required practical work that may be examined.
Using AI with GCSE Specifications
Artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT or claude.ai can help transform your specification into powerful revision resources. Here are effective ways to use AI alongside your specifications, with example prompts you can copy and use directly:
1. Generate Topic Summaries
What you’re doing: Converting dense specification language into clear, digestible content that’s easier to understand and memorise. This helps you grasp the core concepts without getting lost in technical language.
Example prompt:
“I’m studying for my GCSE [subject]. Here’s a section from my specification: [paste specification content]. Could you create a concise, student-friendly summary of the key concepts I need to understand? Please highlight the most important points and explain any technical terms.”
Pro tip: For better results, ask the AI to organise the summary with bullet points or to explain how the concept might appear in an exam question.
2. Create Practice Questions
What you’re doing: Generating exam-style questions that directly test your knowledge of specification content. This helps you practise answering questions before the real exam and identifies knowledge gaps.
Example prompt:
“Based on this part of my GCSE [subject] specification: [paste content], could you generate 5 exam-style questions that test my understanding? Include a mix of short answer questions (2-3 marks) and longer questions (4-6 marks). Please provide detailed mark schemes showing what would earn full marks for each question.”
Pro tip: Ask the AI to create questions at different difficulty levels or to mimic the style of questions from recent past papers.
3. Develop Explanation Guides
What you’re doing: Breaking down difficult concepts into simpler explanations with relevant examples. This helps bridge the gap between specification requirements and actual understanding.
Example prompt:
“I’m struggling with this concept from my GCSE [subject] specification: [paste content]. Could you explain it in simple terms, using everyday examples and analogies? Please include step-by-step explanations and highlight common misunderstandings students have with this topic.”
Pro tip: For mathematical or scientific concepts, ask the AI to walk through the process or calculation step by step, explaining the reasoning at each stage.
4. Build Revision Cards
What you’re doing: Creating active recall resources based directly on specification content. This helps you test yourself on exactly what you need to know for the exam.
Example prompt:
“I need to create revision cards for this GCSE [subject] topic: [paste specification content]. Please create 10 question-and-answer pairs that would help me test my knowledge. Make the questions varied – some testing definitions, some testing application, and some testing evaluation. Structure them as: Q: [question] and A: [answer].”
Pro tip: Ask the AI to identify which questions test knowledge, application, or analysis to help you understand different types of exam questions.
5. Connect Related Topics
What you’re doing: Building a broader understanding of how different topics relate to each other. This helps you see the bigger picture and make connections that often appear in higher-mark exam questions.
Example prompt:
“Here are two sections from my GCSE [subject] specification: [paste two related sections]. How do these topics connect to each other? What are the key relationships I should understand? Please explain any cause-and-effect relationships, shared concepts, or how understanding one topic helps with understanding the other.”
Pro tip: Try this with topics from different units that might seem unrelated at first—examiners often reward students who can make unexpected but valid connections.
6. Create a Personalised Study Planner
What you’re doing: Developing a structured revision timeline based on the full specification content. This helps ensure you cover everything with appropriate time allocation based on complexity and your current understanding.
Example prompt:
“I have my GCSE [subject] exam in [number] weeks. Here’s the specification: [paste full specification or main headings]. Could you create a weekly study plan that covers all these topics? Please prioritise more challenging topics like [mention difficult areas] and allocate more time to them. Include specific goals for each study session and suggestions for active revision techniques for each topic.”
Pro tip: Tell the AI about your specific commitments (school hours, extracurriculars) so it can create a realistic plan that works around your schedule.
7. Generate Mnemonic Devices
What you’re doing: Creating memory aids for complex lists, processes, or concepts that need to be memorised. This helps you recall information more easily during exams.
Example prompt:
“I need to memorise this information from my GCSE [subject] specification: [paste content with lists, sequences, or classifications]. Could you create some memorable acronyms, rhymes, or other mnemonic devices to help me remember this information? Please explain how each mnemonic works.”
8. Convert Content to Different Formats
What you’re doing: Transforming specification content into different formats to suit your learning style. This helps you engage with the material in ways that work best for you.
Example prompt:
“Here’s some content from my GCSE [subject] specification: [paste content]. Could you convert this into a [mind map structure / table / timeline / process diagram]? I’m a visual learner and this would help me understand and memorise the information better.”
Finding Specifications for Other Exam Boards
If you’re studying with a different exam board, you can find their specifications at:
Need Extra Support?
Understanding and implementing all the content in your specification can be challenging. If you’re finding certain topics difficult, working with a tutor who understands the specification inside-out can make a significant difference to your confidence and results.
At Greenhill Academics, our tutors are selected from top universities and specialise in helping students tackle challenging topics with clarity and confidence. Each tutor understands the nuances of their subject’s specification and can help you break down complex topics into manageable steps.
