UK Government announces changes to GCSE & A Level Result grades

Students taking A-Level and GCSEs are set to be given grades laid out by their teachers rather than moderated ones, the government confirmed today.

Last week, up to 40% of A-Level results were downgraded due to the standardisation and moderation techniques used by exam boards. Students will now be awarded their centre’s assessment, although, if the moderated grade is higher that can be used.

In a statement, Roger Taylor, chair of Ofqual said that “we understand this has been a distressing time for students” and “the approach we adopted attempted… caused real anguish and damaged public confidence”. He also said that Ofqual and the government will plan to provide urgent clarity, especially over how delayed BTEC and A-Level results can be appealed.

After reflection, we have decided that the best way to do this is to award grades on the basis of what teachers submitted. The switch to centre assessment grades will apply to both AS and A levels and to the GCSE results which students will receive later this week.

 

There was no easy solution to the problem of awarding exam results when no exams have taken place. Ofqual was asked by the Secretary of State to develop a system for awarding calculated grades, which maintained standards and ensured that grades were awarded broadly in line with previous years. Our goal has always been to protect the trust that the public rightly has in educational qualifications.

Bucks UTC reported outstanding outcomes for BTEC Extended Diploma Building Studies, 100% overall success and 60% high grades distinction*/distinction, 24.4% above the national average. This may change after teacher-based results are made public to A-Level students.