ofqual summer of 2022

A level and GCSE exam Candidates will be told in advance what topics will be on exam papers in the summer of 2022.  Making up for the “considerable disruption” to their schooling. How this affects private candidates is yet to be seen. 

We will continue to investigate as the year progresses. 

While there are also consultations going on for the autumn 2021 exams.

GCSE and A-level exam subjects, the exam candidates  will be advised by their teachers what topics will come up. According to the  Department for Education and Ofqual.

The consultation says pupils should not be advantaged by too much information. Such that they are unable to memorise answers straight off the bat. 

Schools, colleges and centres wil tell their exam candidates about the topics in the spring term.

However, according to the consultation this could be brought forward depending on the course of the pandemic.

Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary, said that exams are fairest way to assess exam candidates’ knowledge. Which here at the exam house, we agree with.

Next summer’s A level and GCSE exam arrangements must “take into account the disruption young people have faced over the past 18 months”.

In 2020, a controversial algorithm was removed after an outcry where poorly schools were excluded from extraordinary results.

This is surely the time now to begin the grade deflation. We propose top 5 percent A*. Next 5 percent A. Followed by the next 20 percent B.  next 20 percent C. and So on. 

Surely a percentage model there can be far less grade inflation. Especially as the questions are marked against your cohort. 

History, ancient history and English literature GCSEs 

In order to “free up teaching time” and “reduce pressure” on exam candidates, Ofqual the exam regulator has recommended that exam candidates would not need to answer the full suite of exam questions for GCSEs in history, ancient history, English literature and geography.

Geography - No more field trips in A Level along with environmental science and Geology. This will be removed from the course requirements.

 Fieldwork might be “difficult to arrange due to public health restrictions” according the consultation. 

The report said: “We recognise that fieldwork is an important feature of these qualifications and we encourage centres to engage with fieldwork wherever possible. However, we do not believe it is appropriate to retain mandatory requirements in the current circumstances.”

Maths GCSE

Students will be given advance notice of which topics will appear on the exam script, and they will also be allowed to bring a formula sheet with them to the exam hall, under proposals.

Biology, chemistry, physics and combined science GCSEs.

The requirement for exam candidates to carry out practical experiments in science GCSEs and A-levels.

Instead they would merely need to watch a demonstration by their tutors or teachers.

 They would also be given advance notice of topics.

For physics and combined GCSE science exams, students will be allowed to bring with them an expanded equation sheet, under the ofqual report and plans.

English language GCSE

Ofqual has confirmed plans to drop the requirement for exam candidates taking English language GCSE to record a sample of the exam candidates’ spoken language. 

These are usually required by exam boards to monitor teachers’ assessments, but this year they will not be necessary. The regulator has also proposed that exam candidates be given advance information about which English topics will appear on the exam.

French, German and Spanish GCSEs

exam candidates  taking French, Spanish and German GCSEs will be required to learn less vocabulary.Ofqual will remove the requirement that exam candidates use vocabulary that is not already on vocabulary lists.

exam candidates may also be able to get the GCSE or A level without being tested on their ability to speak the language. Ofqual, the regulator saying it might scrap the oral component of the exam. 

Public health restrictions, Ofqual said, may prevent orals from going ahead. 

Ofqual advised that teachers and students should prepare for oral exams as the guidance might change. 

The exam regulator has also proposed that exam candidates will be given advance information about which topics will appear on the exam.

Design and technology

Design and technology exam candidates at both GCSE and A-level could watch teachers demonstrate how to use machinery

Mock ups and detailed intentions of how various prototypes would be built is a compromise the exam board is looking at. 

Art and design GCSE And A Level

exam candidates  will be awarded a grade based solely on their portfolio along with the tasks under exam conditions will be scrapped.

Dance 

GCSEs and A-levels will be shorter.

 There will be no requirement for GCSE exam candidates to perform as part of a group. The regulator has also proposed that exam candidates will be given advance information about which topics will appear on the exam.

Music GCSE & A Level

Examined performances will be shorter, and exam candidates will not be required to perform.

The regulator has also proposed that exam candidates will be given advance information about which topics will appear on the exam.

Drama

exam candidates will be able to watch a streamed or recorded live performance rather than seeing a live performance in a theatre. 

Performances will also be shorter, to free up lesson time. The regulator has also proposed that exam candidates be given advance information about which topics will appear on the exam.

All A-levels except art and design

Ofqual the regulator has also proposed that exam candidates will be given advance information about which topics will appear on the exam.

All GCSEs except art and design, history, ancient history, English literature and geography

Ofqual the regulator has also proposed that exam candidates will be given advance information about which topics will appear on the exam.