GCSE New GCSE Mathematics

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GCSE Mathematics: Coursework-free specifications for 2009

Centres will be aware that the Secretary of State announced the withdrawal of coursework in GCSE Mathematics on 27 September 2006. AQA's revised, two-tier specifications for first qualification in 2008 include coursework and coursework will continue to be a part of all GCSE qualifications in Mathematics until November 2008. GCSE Mathematics qualifications from 2009 onwards will not include coursework.

Revised, coursework-free specfications (for Mathematics A and Mathematics B) have now been approved by QCA and are published on this website.

AQA has aimed for minimal change in this revision but it has, of course, been necessary to increase the proportion of Assessment Objectives 1 and 4 in question papers to maintain the overall balance of the qualification with coursework removed. Subject to approval, the linear examination papers will remain the same length as presently at both tiers.

In the modular specification, all examined modules will increase in weighting as the coursework modules are withdrawn. Modules 1 and 3 will also increase slightly in length and number of marks. AQA envisage no change in the content of each module as specified but the assessment balance will alter slightly. Fuller details will be made available once the Specifications are approved and the Specimen Material published.

Importantly for centres, these changes in modules do mean that module results from previous specifications (3302 and 4302) will not be valid in the 2009 specification.

Future Developments

AQA are currently conducting trials, on behalf of QCA, for Functional Mathematics at level 2 and a second GCSE in mathematics. These trials will lead to pilot specifications for teaching from September 2007 leading to qualifications for pilot candidates in 2008 and beyond. Two GCSEs in mathematics, one of which will include functional skills, is set to become the national assessment model for teaching from September 2010.