Thank you for contacting me about methods of examination for GCSEs and A levels.
As part of a programme to improve the education system since 2010, GCSEs and A levels have been reformed to make sure that they provide students with the best possible preparation for further and higher education, and for employment. These changes were consulted on widely with schools, colleges, universities and employers, both on the principles for reform and the detail of the content of individual subjects, to help them prepare for their introduction. The move to a linear exams system encourages a deeper understanding of the material and facilitates greater preparation for further study, rather than a focus on preparing for module resits.
Starting in 2015 with the core subjects of Maths and English, new GCSEs and A levels have been phased in to schools in England. The new courses have been designed to feature more challenging content and provide a rigorous and reliable measure of students’ achievement. Assessment of both the new GCSEs and A levels is mainly by exam, although other types of assessment are used where they are needed to test essential skills – for example practical activities in science. The first exams for the new GCSEs and A levels were sat in 2017.
A key part of the GCSE reforms has been a change to the grading system. In the place of the old A* to G ratings, pupils are now graded on a scale from 9 to 1, with 9 being the highest grade. These changes grades were introduced to signal that GCSEs have been reformed and to better differentiate between students of different abilities. Reflecting the more challenging assessments, fewer pupils will be awarded a 9 grade than were achieving A*s.
I welcome these reforms and am assured that these rigorous methods of examination will help equip our children with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in 21st century Britain and around the world.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.