The original plan had been for the first candidates to start courses in 2015 and take the new-look exams two years later, initially in three core subject areas - English, maths and sciences - with an extension later to history, geography and languages.

BBC: Education & Family

The original plan had been for the first candidates to start EBC courses in 2015 and take the new-look exams two years later.

BBC: Ofqual may step in over speedy GCSE shake-up