Exams

Summer exams 2021

ISC Press release - Year 13 results: 'Pupils deserve to move forward with confidence in the grades they have achieved'

ISC Press release - Year 11 results: 'We hope the grades young people receive today enable them to pursue their goals with confidence'

What about arrangements for exams in 2021?

Ofqual has published its rules for awarding GCSE, AS, A-levels, and vocational and technical qualifications this academic year. This follows technical consultations during March. In addition, the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) has now published many useful papers to guide grading and the appeals process:

• Guidance to help schools and colleges determine students’ GCSEs, AS and A-level grades this summer
• Support for teachers and exam centres during a difficult year
• Worked examples to assist with determining grades
• Centre policy for the delivery of teacher assessed grades: 2021
• Appeals: Outcomes to the Ofqual consultation on guidance for reviews and appeals of GCSE, AS and A level results; JCQ appeals guidance for summer 2021.

Key dates for summer 2021 exams:
- 22 March to 22 April: Entry amendments window opens for centres
- 31 March: Additional assessment materials (sets of questions, mark schemes and mapping)
- 12 April: Additional support materials (marking exemplification)
- 12 April to 30 April: Window for centre policy submission via proforma on CAP (Centre Admin Portal) - 19 April: Additional support materials (grading exemplification) and additional sets of questions publicly available
- 19 April to 11 June: Awarding organisations review centre policies and conduct virtual visits where needed
- 26 April: Entry deadline for private candidates
- 26 May to 18 June: Window for teacher assessed grades submission opens via awarding organisations’ respective portals
- 18 June to 16 July: Awarding organisations conduct sample checks of evidence (in exceptional circumstances, sample checks may take place until 23 July)
- 10 August: A/AS-levels and relevant other Level 3 results day
- 12 August: GCSE and relevant other Level 2 results day
- 10 August to 7 September: priority appeals window
- 10 August to 16 August: student requests centre review
- 10 August to 20 August: centre conducts centre review
- 11 August to 23 August: centre submits appeal to awarding organisation
- 10 August to end October: majority of non-priority appeals take place
- 10 August to 3 September: student requests centre review
- 10 August to 10 September: centre conducts centre review
- 11 August to 17 September: centre submits appeal to awarding organisation

Exams 2022

The DfE/Ofqual are currently consulting on proposed changes to the assessment of GCSEs, AS and A levels in 2022. The consultation closed on 1 August.

Ofqual has also concluded a consultation on non-exam assessment for 2022. The press release can be found here; and the consultation outcome here.