GCSE Digital Technology
This GCSE asks learners to read unseen client briefs, judge online sources, write extended exam answers, and write proposals, justifications, evaluations and marketing copy for a set audience. Its numeracy centres on Unit 2, where 40% of the qualification rests on cleansing a quantitative data set in a spreadsheet, using formulas and statistics to find audience needs and reporting with charts, plus binary, storage unit and compression ratio work in Unit 1. The biggest thing Key Stage 3 should build is confident spreadsheet data handling, with pupils explaining in writing what their numbers show about an audience.
- First taught
- September 2026
- Amount of literacy work
- Medium
- Amount of numeracy work
- High
- Specification
- Open the WJEC specification (PDF)
How this GCSE is assessed
- Unit 1: The Digital World: Digital examination 1 hour 30 minutes, 80 marks, 40%
- Unit 2: Digital Practices: Non-examination assessment 20 hours, 80 marks, 40%, set by WJEC, marked by the centre, moderated by WJEC
- Unit 3: Communicating in the Digital World: Non-examination assessment 10 hours, 60 marks, 20%, set by WJEC, marked by the centre, moderated by WJEC
Skills that use Logical reasoning
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Building spreadsheet formulas and functions
Learners must use spreadsheet formulas at three levels, from basic arithmetic, SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, MAX, MIN and IF, through nested IFs, VLOOKUP, COUNTIF and SUMIF, to INDEX, MATCH, FILTER and UNIQUE. They must choose the right calculation for the question and check that the output is sensible.
Numeracy: Calculation, Strategic competence, Fluency, Conceptual understanding, Logical reasoning
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils total the costs of a class trip to Dare Valley Country Park in a spreadsheet, once with a calculator and once with =SUM, and explain why both answers match.
- Year 8
- Pupils use AVERAGE, MAX, MIN and COUNT on a table of their own typing test scores, then write the formula they used beside each answer.
- Year 9
- Pupils use IF and COUNTIF to flag and count school club members who have paid, and check one result by hand before trusting the column.
Show the specification wording and the LNF statements
Where it is in the specification: Unit 2, Section 2.1.1, page 24, and Appendix A, pages 42 to 43
“use suitable formulas and functions from each level of complexity (categorised as basic, medium and complex, as listed in Appendix A)”
Progression step 3
I can add and subtract numbers using whole numbers and decimals.
I can recognise, model and apply the underlying mathematical structures and ideas within problems, in order to formulate and solve them.
I can select and apply appropriate checking strategies.
Progression step 4
I can use the order of operations including brackets and powers.
I can recognise, model and apply the underlying mathematical structures and ideas within problems, in order to formulate and solve them.
I can select and apply appropriate checking strategies.
Progression step 5
I can recognise, model and apply the underlying mathematical structures and ideas within problems, in order to formulate and solve them.
I can represent a concept in different ways, flowing between different representations including verbal, concrete, visual, digital and abstract.
I can verify and prove results and solutions.
Good to know
- Unit 1 is an on-screen examination, so extended answers are typed: "Assessment type: Digital-only examination" (page 10).
- No marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar or accuracy of language are stated anywhere in the specification; detail is deferred to the Assessment Pack: "The Assessment Pack will include all detailed information relating to assessment." (page 35).
- The specification does not say whether a calculator may be used in the Unit 1 examination; compression ratio calculations (page 11) mean centres should check the Assessment Pack.
- Unit 2 NEA is 20 hours and Unit 3 NEA is 10 hours, on a client brief set by WJEC each year: "The client brief will change annually, the tasks and mark scheme will remain the same." (page 36).
- Research is done with internet access outside the timed NEA: "This research time does not form part of their non-examination assessment time" (page 36).
- Audience-focused planning and evaluation carry most weight: AO3 (identify audience needs and plan) is 20% and AO4 (develop, test and evaluate) is 35% of the qualification (page 35).
Links with other GCSEs
Appendix C marks Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing in all three units, and the data analysis in Unit 2 draws directly on Mathematics statistics work, so shared vocabulary for averages, range and outliers with the Mathematics department will help pupils.
Source: WJEC GCSE Digital Technology Specification, teaching from 2026, for award from 2028, Version 2, February 2026.