Ofqual | Schools Week

Ofqual promises new guidance on pupils’ right to challenge grades

Ofqual has promised new guidance on the rights of pupils to challenge their grades after exam boards rejected plans to let individuals appeal directly. The exam regulator’s announcement last week that it would lift the restriction on pupils requesting re-marks directly from exam boards was rejected by the four boards that set and mark GCSEs […]

Why access to exam appeals — rather than how they are re-remarked — is the real social justice issue

Many people will say changes to the GCSE and A-level re-marking system are unfair, but are they correct? Editor Laura McInerney isn’t convinced. Ofqual’s decision to change the GCSE and A-level exam appeals process is unlikely to be an immediate hit. In future, instead of exam papers being re-marked they will be “reviewed”. Senior examiners […]

Why 3-day qualifications can be just as valid as GCSEs

The ECDL, as promoted by the schools network, the PiXL club, is a valuable qualification for many students, says Brian Lightman – one that should prompt Ofqual to think carefully before placing further constraints on awarding bodies Ask any employer what they want from a qualification and they will tell you they want it to […]

Ofqual to get tough on exam re-marks

The exams regulator has given its clearest indication yet that it will get tough on re-marks to end an unfairness of some schools having a better shot at overturning grades. Ofqual director Phil Beach, writing in a blog today, again highlighted research that found examiners were more generous on appeals leading to “perfectly reasonable marks […]

The truth behind the Ramadan exams saga

Over the past two weeks many stories have been written about exam dates changing to accommodate Ramadan. The stories often appear to contradict each other, and disagreement about what happened led to a spat between the Chief Inspector of Ofsted and the Chief (exams) Regulator over at Ofqual. This back-and-forth between people in power is […]

Schools could get right to see marked GCSE papers as Ofqual consults on appeals process

Schools could get the right to request copies of marked GCSE exam papers as they consider appealing against marks, Ofqual has announced. The watchdog also wants to make exam boards use specially-trained reviewers, rather than ordinary examiners, to check marking when results are queried as part of proposals for a new review and appeals process. […]

‘Why the National Reference Test trial should reduce worry about comparable outcomes’

Ofqual trials its national reference test next year, the first big step in gaining information to help to refine GCSE awarding. Earlier this year we announced our plans to develop and pilot a national reference test. Some teachers, parents and students are understandably concerned about “yet another test”, but others are positive, appreciating why we think it right […]

Examiners are more generous during re-marks, study finds

Examiners are more generous when they re-mark GCSE and A-level papers immediately after the summer results, a talk by the chair of Ofqual has revealed. A study described by the exam regulator’s chair, Amanda Spielman (pictured), suggests that papers re-marked immediately after exams as part of an appeal later failed to get higher grades when […]

How exam boards make sure GCSE and A level results are on a ‘level playing field’

Once again this year there has been outcries that “grade boundaries” have been moved so that it is “harder” to get a grade C. Below, Pearson’s Lesley Davies explains the boundary setting process. And, here, Ofqual goes through comparable outcomes and how it affects grade. The process of setting grade boundaries can seem complicated and […]