New A level maths in 2019
For some years, maths has been the largest entry A level in England. In 2018 around 90,000 students took A level maths, with just over 15,000 also taking A level further maths. The introduction of the new A level was …
A levels and GCSEs
GCSE and A level reform is nearly complete
The recent reforms to GCSEs and A levels in England were the biggest in a generation. The new qualifications have been introduced in phases, with the first awarded to students in 2017. This summer is a major milestone in the …
Be prepared: GCSE and A level exam contingency day 2019
At Ofqual, and regardless of the weather, our minds are always on the summer. We’re either thinking about the summer exam series just gone or the one to come. Sometimes we’re thinking about the series after that. We’re not alone. …
GCSE tiering decisions for summer 2019
Some of you will remember the announcement we made in August 2018, that we were allowing exam boards to award an exceptional grade 3-3 on the higher tier of GCSE combined science, along with a full-width safety net grade 4-3. …
Mobile phones in exams: behind the malpractice stats
Penalties issued to GCSE and A level students bringing mobile phones into the exam hall increased by 22% in 2018 compared with 2017. Yet we know that Exams Officers use a range of ways to tell students about this important …
Summer exams are an all-year-round effort
Virtually all school and college staff become aware of exams in May and June, even if only because certain areas are barricaded off with signs requesting silence and consideration. The temptation may be, when those signs disappear, to ask your …
GCSE results day: what to expect
GCSE results will be published on Thursday. This is the second year of results for reformed GCSEs in England and this year around 90% of the results issued will be for reformed 9 to 1 GCSEs. That means many students …
A level results day: what to expect
With only a few days to go until A level results day, the wait is nearly over for students, parents and teachers everywhere. This is the third year of results for reformed AS and the second year of reformed A …
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How much have GCSE maths results at school/college level varied this year? What proportion of students got at least a grade 7 in the new GCSEs in biology and chemistry and physics? What proportion of students in Warwickshire got an …
Setting GCSE grade boundaries this summer
Last summer we had new 9 to 1 GCSEs in three subjects – English language, English literature and maths. This year they are joined by another 20 new GCSEs (see image below, click to enlarge). This means that many students …