A guide to the GCSE Prompt Framework for AI

AI tools like Microsoft Copilot are incredibly useful and powerful tools for productivity. But to really get the most out of them, you have to master prompting.  

Good prompts are key to coaxing the best responses from AI. They help steer the AI tools in the right direction, giving it all the information needed to understand what you are asking, and what you want the output to be.  

In short, good prompts lead to better results. 

Luckily, you don’t have to be an AI expert to write great prompts. There are a number of different prompt frameworks that offer simple, effective ways to write better prompts. And, they’re easy to remember!  

In this blog, we are going to focus on just one of these; the ‘GCSE’ framework for AI prompts. Let’s dive in.  

 

What is the GCSE prompt Framework? 

Don’t panic - the GCSE prompt framework doesn’t have anything to do with school exams! Instead, it is a great way to write better prompts for better results from your AI assistants. It stands for Goal, Context, Sources, and Expectations.  

By following these four steps, you can craft prompts that are clear, concise, and much more likely to produce the answers that you are looking for. Each element of the framework serves a distinct purpose: setting out your main objective, providing relevant background, adding sources, and clarifying the standard or format you would like in the response. 

 

How does a GCSE prompt work? 

Here, we’ll take a look at each step of the GCSE prompt process, breaking down what each does.  

G – Goal 

You should start by defining your goal. What is it that you want Copilot – or another AI tool – to do for you? 

This might be summarising a document, coming up with some ideas for a blog post, or helping you to research a certain topic. Be as specific as possible in order to yield the best responses.  

 

C – Context 

This is all about supplying the background information that the AI tool needs to understand your request, and has all the information it needs to give you the best possible response. This might include details such as the audience you’re writing for, any relevant background information, or the purpose of the task.  

Don’t be afraid to include lots of context! The more useful context you provide, the more tailored and accurate the response is likely to be.  

 

S – Sources 

Where do you want your other AI tool to draw information and knowledge from?  

Provide a specific source for reference. Such as a URL, document, website, email, or chat. Using sources like these in your prompts is crucial because it grounds the AI tools’ responses in more relevant information, rather than relying solely on general knowledge.  

 

E – Expectations 

Finally, you should include your expectations. This sets out what you want the AI to deliver in its response, making the result it gives you more useful.  

You might include the preferred format of the response (like a bullet point list, long sentences, or a table), the level of detail you require, or specific points you would like to be included or addressed.  

By specifying your expectations, you help ensure that the output from the AI assistant matches your needs, saving time on further refinement or editing. The more explicit you are about your expectations, the better the AI can tailor its answer to suit your intended purpose. 

 

GCSE Prompt Example  

Let’s look at how a GCSE prompt might work in practice:  

 

Summarise the key results and performance metrics of our latest digital marketing campaign for me, for inclusion in an upcoming campaign report I have to produce. The campaign ran from 01/10/2025 to 31/10/2025, targeting IT Decision Makers in the UK, primarily through PPC advertising. The report will be going to my Senior Leadership Team, who require clear insights into the campaign’s effectiveness and return on investment. Many of them do not understand marketing speak or jargon. Use the data from excel spreadsheet PPC_Campaign_OCT25_.xls to write this. Present the findings in a concise bullet point list covering reach, engagement, conversion rates, and key takeaways. Highlight any notable successes or areas for improvement. 

 

 

The Power of GCSE Prompts 

In summary, the GCSE prompt framework offers a simple yet highly effective way to craft clear and purposeful AI requests.  
 

By defining your Goal, providing relevant Context, specifying Sources, and outlining Expectations, you can dramatically improve the quality and usefulness of AI-generated responses.  

Adopting this structure not only saves time but also ensures that your prompts are targeted, reducing the need for back-and-forth clarification. Whether you’re new to AI tools or looking to get even more from them, using the GCSE framework will help you unlock their full potential and achieve better results every time.