GCSE/ELCNew GCSE Sciences – moderation

Moderation Procedures

Moderation of centre-assessed units is by inspection of a sample of candidates' work, sent by post from the centre to a moderator appointed by AQA. The centre marks must be submitted to AQA and the sample of work must reach the moderator by 5 May for General Sciences and 15 May for Applied Sciences.

The moderators re-mark the sample work and the moderator's marks are compared with the centre marks to determine whether any adjustment is needed in order to bring the centre's assessments into line with standards generally.

In some cases it may be necessary for the moderator to call for the work of other candidates. In order to meet this possible request, centres must have available the work and signed Candidate Record Form of every candidate entered for the unit and be prepared to submit it on demand.

Mark adjustments will normally preserve the centre's order of merit of the candidates, but where major discrepancies are found, AQA reserves the right to alter the order of merit.

Post-Moderation Procedures

On publication of the GCSE results, the centre is supplied with details of the final marks for the centre-assessed unit.

The candidates' work is returned to the centre at the end of the moderation period. AQA sends a report written by the moderator giving feedback on the accuracy of the assessments made, and the reasons for any adjustment to the marks.

Some candidates' work may be retained by AQA for archive purposes.

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