Teachers will be able to use oral assessments as evidence for students’ GCSE and A-level grades, new exam board guidance reveals.

While the Joint Council for Qualifications guidance on grading for this summer suggests that students’ coursework, mock exams or homework can be used as evidence, it adds that “in some limited circumstances, where other evidence is not available or possible to create, an oral assessment may be an appropriate form of evidence”.

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It says that this approach could be needed where a candidate has little available evidence or is unable to complete an assessment in person.

It could also be used for candidates who cannot arrange a remote written assessment.

“If this is used, the assessment should be recorded so that it can be referred to later during internal and external quality assurance and, where necessary, the [school] review and appeals process,” the guidance says.

“The focus of the assessment should be to assess the student’s knowledge and skills as required by the specification.”