Ofqual update

Ofqual is seeking views on how an autumn exam series for GCSEs, AS and A levels should run this year, in a consultation published on Wednesday 17 March 2021. The consultation will be open until 9 April 2021. Respondents may enter their comments via an online survey here.

They are keen to hear from students, teachers, exam boards and the wider education sector on their proposals, which include:

• the autumn series being open to any student who entered or who had intended to enter to take exams this summer
• holding AS and A level exams in October and GCSE exams in November/early December
• grades being determined by a student’s exam performance only
• students being able to use the better of the summer or autumn grade
• the use of the normal reviews of marking and appeal arrangements

The consultation follows the cancellation of GCSEs, AS and A level exams this summer because of the COVID-19 pandemic. When the government set out its policy on how grades would be awarded it also confirmed it wanted students to have the opportunity to take exams in the autumn.

Separately, Ofqual have also published an analysis of responses to their consultation on support materials and advance information for GCSE, AS and A level exams.

That consultation was launched in December last year, prior to exams being cancelled, and sought views on ways in which summer 2021 exams could have been made less daunting for students.

The cancellation of exams meant it was no longer relevant and no decisions have been taken as a result. Ofqual have now published the analysis in the interests of transparency.