Video: Michael Gove and Nick Clegg unveil 'tough' new exams The GCSE exam for 16-year-old children in England is to be replaced by an English Baccalaureate Certificate (EBacc), with the first courses to begin in September 2015. The new qualification will scrap the retaking of "modules," reduce reliance on coursework and bring back tough end-of-year exams. Children of all abilities will take the EBacc and there will be only one exam board for each subject, in order to prevent competition between boards to deliver tests which are easier to pass.