The Department for Education and Ofqual have today set out the plans for GCSE and A-level exams next year.
As expected, Ofqual has announced a return to pre-pandemic grading in 2023, but with “some protection against any impact of Covid disruption”.
This year, students completed the first summer exams series after two years of cancellations owing to Covid-related disruption.
Here’s everything you need to know...
How grading will work
This summer, senior examiners used the grades achieved by previous cohorts of students, along with prior attainment data, to inform their decisions about where to set grade boundaries.
Ofqual has announced a return to pre-pandemic grading in 2023, but with “some protection against any impact of Covid disruption”.
Senior examiners will use the grades achieved by previous cohorts of students, along with prior attainment data, to inform their decisions about where to set grade boundaries.
Today, Ofqual’s chief regulator Dr Jo Saxton said that this summer was “an important step back towards normality”.
“Our plans for 2023 take us a step further, while also recognising the impact of Covid.”
She said that “giving the 2023 cohort some protection” against the impact of Covid disruption “is the right thing to do”.
“Our approach to grading in 2023 will provide a soft landing for students as we continue the process of taking the exam system back to normal.”
Students could still receive help in some subjects
Exams returned in 2022 with mitigations put in place to help students who had their learning disrupted by the pandemic, including advance information topics and exam aids, such as formulae and equation sheets.
Ofqual has said that the government is confirming that students should continue to be provided with support in GCSE mathematics, physics and combined science with formulae and equation sheets, but not with advance information of exam content.
Ofqual said that the decision reflects the reduced levels of disruption this cohort has experienced compared to the cohorts of the previous two years.
A consultation has been launched today by Ofqual on the plans for formulae and equation sheets.
Students ‘expect fairness’, says Malthouse
Education secretary Kit Malthouse said that students working towards qualifications next year “expect fairness in exams and grading arrangements, which is why we are transitioning back to pre-pandemic normality”.
“Schools are doing a great job in supporting students to catch up and get back on track, including through the National Tutoring Programme, which continues to provide one-to-one or small group tuition to students that need extra help.”
A series of further consultations relating to qualifications next year, and in future years, has also been launched today.
