Ofqual to focus on GCSE grading and marking reviews
04 April 2016
Ofqual will continue to concentrate on general qualifications reform with how exam boards set GCSE grades 9-1 and changes to exam appeals featuring as key aspects of its work.
As the Education Select Committee approved Sally Collier as the government’s preferred candidate for the Chief Regulator role, Ofqual released its new Corporate Plan detailing its priorities for the maintenance of assessment standards over the period 2016-19.
In relation to GCSEs, AS and A Levels, in 2016-17, Ofqual’s plans include:
- Ensuring grade standards are maintained in GCSEs, AS and A Levels
- Putting in place regulatory requirements for how exam boards will set GCSE grades 9-1
- Monitoring exam board quality of marking
- Completing work on exam boards’ marking and appeals systems
- Monitoring and evaluating the delivery of reformed qualifications as they start to be assessed
- Reviewing the rules on exam board support materials and teacher events
- Reviewing exam board provision of special considerations
- Researching the impact of native speaker candidates on standard setting in A Level French, German and Spanish.
The reforms to vocational qualifications – including progression routes and apprenticeships - also feature in Ofqual’s priorities, as do the review of functional skills and promoting public confidence in regulated qualifications.