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<p>The department reformed and strengthened GCSEs and A levels from 2011 to be in
line with the highest performing education systems. The department consulted 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. There are no current plans for wholesale GCSE and A level reform.</p><p>The
government believes exams are the best and fairest way of judging students’ performance
as they provide a standardised means of assessment, with all students being examined
on the same basic level of difficulty and understanding. Exams provide an even playing
field with everyone being assessed on the same thing in the same amount of time. Following
the difficulties experienced with awarding grades without exams in 2020 and 2021,
the government is fully committed to exams going ahead this summer.</p><p>The independent
qualifications regulator, Ofqual, advised that non-exam assessment (NEA) should only
be used when it is the only valid way to assess essential elements of the subject.
For example, NEA is still required in modern foreign languages (the speaking assessment)
and in art and design.</p><p>Fair and meaningful grading is core to confidence in
qualifications. Ofqual are responsible for maintaining qualification standards and
doing so in a way that ensures public confidence.</p><p>Ofqual’s rules will require
exam boards to use a range of qualitative and quantitative evidence so that grade
boundaries are set in a way that is as fair as possible for all students, across all
subjects and exam boards. Grading is monitored by the experts every step of the way
and Ofqual will review results for every subject before they are issued.</p><p>Ofqual
and the department published joint consultations outlining detailed proposals for
changes to the assessment of GCSEs, AS and A levels in academic year 2021-22. The
consultation decision document was published on 30 September 2021 and can be found
here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposed-changes-to-the-assessment-of-gcses-as-and-a-levels-in-2022/proposed-changes-to-the-assessment-of-gcses-as-and-a-levels-in-2022"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposed-changes-to-the-assessment-of-gcses-as-and-a-levels-in-2022/proposed-changes-to-the-assessment-of-gcses-as-and-a-levels-in-2022</a>.</p><p>The
proposals set out in the consultation received a high degree of support, and therefore
we are proceeding with the package of adaptations we set out. The package of measures
includes four elements:</p><ol><li>a choice of topics or content on which students
will be assessed in GCSE English literature, history, ancient history and geography</li><li>in
all other GCSE and A/AS level subjects which have exams, advance information about
the focus of the content of exams</li><li>changes to the assessment requirements for
practical assessments in some subjects to take account of any public health measures
that may be in place and relieve pressure on teaching time</li><li>allowing students
to have access to support materials in the exam room in GCSE mathematics, combined
science, and physics</li></ol><p>Further information published by exam boards to support
revision was published on 7 February 2022 and is available here: <a href="https://www.jcq.org.uk/summer-2022-arrangements/advance-information/"
target="_blank">https://www.jcq.org.uk/summer-2022-arrangements/advance-information/</a>.</p><p>The
government and Ofqual are confident that the package of measures we have put in place
will help ensure fairness.</p>
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