Exams
Exams 2022
The DfE and Ofqual have announced further arrangements for exams in summer 2022. Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said, “We are committed to rigorous standards being fairly applied, and exams are the fairest way to assess students, which is why they will take place next year”. Key measures announced:
- Grade boundaries to be set by exam boards reflecting a midway point between 2021 and 2019 – so that more students get higher grades in 2022 than before the pandemic. This approach will provide a safety net for this year’s students as well as a step back to normality, with results expected to return to the usual grade profile by 2023.
- Advance information on the focus of exams to focus students’ revision
- Support materials like formulae sheets allowed in exams
Information published:
- A ‘decisions document’ setting out what changes will be put in place for GCSEs, AS and A levels in 2022, following the recent DfE/Ofqual consultation.
- An article by new Chief Regulator Dr Jo Saxton, explaining Ofqual’s approach to grading next year, and a blog setting this out for students.
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.