A level awarding in 2016 and 2017
...courses for new linear A levels and this means the exam boards will have to change the way they set standards. We have agreed a principle with the exam boards:...
A levels and GCSEs
Clarification of provisional citizenship data
...Short and Full courses out, there is around a 45% fall in Short Course entries this year and about a 10% rise in Full Course entries. As I made clear...
GCSE marking and grading
...is to align standards between exam boards in a subject and over time. So it should be no easier, or difficult, to get a particular grade with one board than...
Assessing drama
We are aware that a petition is circulating suggesting that the new GCSE drama course contains more written elements than practical elements and calls on others to object; We want...
New GCSE maths sample exam papers
Many of you reading this blog will know of the work we have been doing to review exam boards’ sample GCSE maths papers. Those particularly interested in the detail may...
Summer 2015 GCSEs, IGCSEs, AS and A levels
...are overseeing awarding this summer on our website. Glenys Stacey Chief Regulator i When we refer to IGCSEs, we are including Level 1/2 Certificates which are commonly known as IGCSEs....
Some thoughts following my talk to Surrey Secondary Heads in Dorking
As Ofqual’s Chief Regulator, I care deeply about assessment, of course, but it is only one part of the system; qualifications should be designed to deliver the curriculum aims first...
Some choice words in spoken English
In September 2015 students will begin studying the new GCSE in English language, which will be graded 9 to 1. The qualification will be first awarded in 2017. The English...
Some thoughts on perceptions
The latest YouGov report is the 13th annual exploration of attitudes to general and vocational qualifications, as well as to Ofqual. The research, which we commissioned and was conducted by YouGov, investigated perceptions and levels of confidence in qualifications and …
The national reference test
I have written to all secondary schools during half-term to provide them with information about the new national reference tests that we are introducing - and to ask them for their support for this important development.