GCSE and A-level autumn tests offered in all subjects

Students who are not pleased with the GCSE and A-stage grades they are awarded this summer season will be in a position to sit examinations in all subjects in the autumn.

This summer’s examinations have been cancelled thanks to the Covid-19 outbreak and university closures, and so students’ success will be dependent on trainer assessment.

Now England’s examinations regulator, Ofqual, claims a “full suite”of tests – not just core subjects – will be readily available.

But head instructors are worried about the practicalities of the announcement.

They say accommodating a comprehensive set of autumn exams together with receiving all pupils back to college in September will be a “massive obstacle”.

• Instructors to quality pupils for cancelled tests
• Faculty test timetable could be put back again following 12 months

In a assertion issued on Tuesday, Ofqual explained learners would be awarded calculated grades this summer months, “providing them the possibility to shift on to additional review or work, even with the cancellation of tests”.

“Pupils will be in a position to appeal – by way of their school or college or university – if they feel the course of action this summertime was not followed appropriately in their situation and centres themselves can charm if they feel a little something systemic has gone completely wrong in relation to their benefits.

“Any university student unable to receive a calculated result, and others who would like to boost their grades, will have an prospect to choose the comprehensive suite of GCSE, AS and A-amount exams in the autumn.”

The watchdog states that adhering to the autumn examination season, examination boards will have to difficulty alternative certificates for the summertime outcomes – “if pupils ask for this”, which means pupils can continue to keep the summer season grade if it is higher.

Boards will also be expected to have the regular preparations for reviews of marking and appeals.

‘Managing the risks’

But Geoff Barton, standard secretary of the Affiliation of College and College or university Leaders, reported there were being practical troubles to handle.

“We are worried about how universities and colleges will be ready to accommodate and take care of a comprehensive suite of autumn exams together with the substantial obstacle of bringing all their pupils again in September, pinpointing discovering gaps, and placing catch-up support in position,” claimed Mr Barton.

This would have to be performed even though controlling the challenges connected with coronavirus, he explained.

“We had argued for the autumn collection to be limited to A-amounts, and GCSE English and maths.

“Having said that, we fully grasp the stress on the govt and Ofqual to give the alternative of a total suite of tests in the event that pupils and mothers and fathers are disappointed with centre-assessed grades in August.”

Mr Barton said families should really be assured that the approach by which schools assessed grades this yr is “sturdy”.

“These qualifications will be each individual little bit as valid as in any other 12 months and will permit younger individuals to progress to the future stage of the lives without the need of hindrance, and with no the have to have to use the autumn series.”