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Bringing together research, insight and ideas on assessment, qualifications and curriculum

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    Student success: Every little achievement counts

    Baroness Morgan is calling for students to be given ‘self-belief’ lessons as a way of developing their characters and preparing them for the future.

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    GCSE Maths

    My thoughts on GCSE results day 2023

    Our Head of Maths, Andrew Taylor, reflects on this year's GCSE Maths results and papers. There has been a lot in the news about a return to pre-pandemic grading and that could be interpreted as an expectation that grade boundaries would be close to those seen back in 2019. As always, the picture is more complex, and I want to look at the factors that have influenced the grade boundaries of AQA GCSE Maths this summer. There are several elements that have affected boundaries this summer, some apply to all subjects, and others are specific to GCSE Maths. I’ll try to summarise them…

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    Exams administration updates

    Our entry fees for summer 2025 exams

    We’ve published the fees on entry fees webpage.

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    Our research

    There’s more to accessibility than extra time

    Special educational needs coordinators (SENCos) and exams officers share their views on current access arrangements and how the future of accessibility might look.…

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    Level 2 and Level 3 Maths

    Level 2 Further Maths case study – Brockington College

    Peter Mattock has been teaching maths since 2006 and now works as an Assistant Principal at an 11-16 school in Leicestershire. He is an NCETM PD Lead, a specialist leader of education, and the author of “Visible Maths”, “Conceptual Maths” and “Leading Maths”. Peter is also a member of the AQA Maths Expert Panel.

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    Exams administration updates

    Visiting exams: safeguarding guidance for schools and colleges

    We understand the importance of safeguarding within schools and colleges, and we appreciate the challenges that can be faced during visiting exams for our subjects with visiting components. To help improve your experience during visiting exams, we’ve provided some useful safeguarding guidance. Find out more.

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    Our research

    Fit for the future: assessing skills for the 21st century

    Sheradan Miller considers how qualifications can assess the skills students need for the workplace today and in the future.

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    Exams administration updates

    Ofqual guides for 2023 and 2024

    Ofqual has recently published new and updated guides for schools, colleges and students for November 2023 and summer 2024 exams. Learn more.

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    Exams administration updates

    Submitting examined and moderated NEA files in summer 2024*error

    We’ve been working hard to improve the way schools and colleges submit audio and visual files to us. Our final testing is now complete and for summer 2024, we’re pleased to say we’ve built on the system we used last year and listened to your feedback. Learn more.

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    Our research

    Does transparency equal trust?

    Kate Kelly, a lead researcher at AQA, explores the link between trust and transparency in a digital age.

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    Exams administration updates

    GCSE English Literature Paper 2 (specification 8702)

    GCSE English Literature Paper 2 (specification 8702)

  • Blog Post

    Exams administration updates

    Updated JCQ guidance: use of artificial intelligence in assessments

    The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) has published updated guidance on artificial intelligence (AI) use in assessments.