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Exam marking: how technology is improving the quality of marking

Posted by: Cath Jadhav, Posted on: 20 April 2018 - Categories: A levels and GCSEs
Hands typing on laptop

When asked to think of examiners marking scripts, many people still tend to think of them sitting at a desk with a pile of envelopes from schools and colleges, gradually working through each one in turn. In some subjects, that …

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Applied Generals and Tech levels this summer

Posted by: Cath Jadhav, Posted on: 13 April 2018 - Categories: Vocational and technical qualifications
Four microscopes on a work bench.

This summer thousands of students will be receiving results for qualifications that are recognised as level 3 Applied Generals or Tech levels. They are offered by a range of awarding organisations, and include branded qualifications such as BTECs and Cambridge …

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Grading the new GCSE science qualifications

Posted by: Cath Jadhav, Posted on: 23 March 2018 - Categories: A levels and GCSEs

The new GCSE science qualifications can be taken in different ways – students can take single GCSEs in one or more of biology, chemistry and physics, or they can take a double GCSE in combined science. Students who take combined …

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Setting standards in the new A level maths qualifications

Posted by: Cath Jadhav, Posted on: 16 March 2018 - Categories: A levels and GCSEs
Ball-point pen lying at an angle across a set of equations printed on a sheet of paper.

This summer we will see the first awards of the new A level maths qualifications. These were available for schools to teach from September 2017, so they would not normally be available to enter after only one year. When we …

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5 questions and concerns answered about new 9 to1 GCSE grading

Posted by: chrisshadforth, Posted on: 9 March 2018 - Categories: A levels and GCSEs

This week we’re addressing some of the common questions and concerns posted in response to our recent Facebook updates and blogs. ‘New GCSEs are very hard’ We have seen quite a few comments about new GCSEs being ‘too hard’, or …

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GCSE 9 to 1 grades: a brief guide for parents

Posted by: Cath Jadhav, Posted on: 2 March 2018 - Categories: A levels and GCSEs
image of table in 2 columns. Left column is of 'reformed GCSE (9 to 1) subjects awarded in England in 2019. Set against purple background. On right column 'reformed A level subjects awarded in England in 2019'. Set on orange background. The columns list subjects and when awarded in 2017, 2018 and 2019. A full accessible list can be obtained from Ofqual public enquiries team on 0300 303 3344

If you have children taking GCSEs this year, many of their results will be reported on the new grade scale which runs from 9 (the highest grade) to 1 (the lowest grade). Here’s a brief guide to what that means.

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Teachers' views on GCSE maths tier entries in 2018

Posted by: Cath Jadhav, Posted on: 9 February 2018 - Categories: A levels and GCSEs
A staircase

Ahead of this summer’s exams, we’ve asked GCSE maths teachers about their tier entry choices for 2018.

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New GCSEs in French, German and Spanish

Posted by: Cath Jadhav, Posted on: 6 February 2018 - Categories: A levels and GCSEs
Image of baguette with cheese and salami, plus gherkins and French brand butter alongside

Among the new GCSEs being awarded for the first time this year are French, German and Spanish. These qualifications are different from the previous versions in several ways, which I’ll discuss first. Qualification structure In line with many reformed GCSEs, …

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GCSE grade boundaries in 2018

Posted by: Cath Jadhav, Posted on: 26 January 2018 - Categories: A levels and GCSEs

Grade boundaries for GCSEs and A levels are never set in advance of the exams being taken, for a variety of reasons. A key one is that it is impossible to judge precisely how difficult students will find a paper compared to previous papers or sample papers.

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GCSE and A level awarding in 2018

Posted by: Cath Jadhav, Posted on: 19 January 2018 - Categories: A levels and GCSEs
GCSE subjects graded 9 to 1 in 2018: English, maths, biology, chemistry, physics, combined science, computer science, geography, history, art and design, French, German, Latin, Spanish, classical Greek, dance, drama, music, food preparation and nutrition, physical education, religious studies, citizenship studies. Reformed English and maths were first awarded in 2017.

We, like schools and colleges, are already looking ahead to this summer’s exams. This year there are more new AS and A level subjects and 9 to 1 GCSEs being awarded for the first time.

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