Exams Administration
Information and resources for exams officers to plan ahead and stay on track throughout the whole exams lifecycle, from entries to results day.
Curriculum and assessment reform for Exams Officers
Curriculum and assessment reform comes from the Curriculum and Assessment Review, which was published in November 2025. The review sets out ways to make the curriculum more manageable and strengthen the knowledge and skills that help students succeed. It echoes what teachers and school leaders have told us: change needs to be gradual, realistic, and useful in the classroom.
We’re working behind the scenes to make sure our qualifications and support carry on meeting the needs of teachers, Exams Officers and learners.
While we don’t expect Exams Officers to see change during the early part of the assessment reform process, it will reach your role as we roll out reformed qualifications. As we confirm any changes or processes, we’ll be here to share this with you as soon as we can.
Practical support and CPD
eLearning
We have a new on demand eLearning module available to support you to navigate the changes that will come with assessment reform. It offers practical strategies, reflective activities, and helpful guidance that can be used in busy school and college settings.
You can find the free eLearning module on our Professional Development page. You’ll need to use your myAQA account to book, and you’ll then receive a link to the course.
Podcasts
Keep up to date with our Exams Officers podcast, where AQA experts discuss hot topics for Exams Officers; episode 5, ‘The curriculum and assessment review, getting ready for reform’, introduces the idea of reform for Exams Officers: Exams officer podcasts | AQA.
Webinars
As specifications are approved by Ofqual and are published, we’ll host our usual Exams Officer Webinars to support Exams Officers with the administration of our qualifications. Topics include Running an Exam and Non-examination assessment. All our training is free and can be found here: AQA Training for exams officers.
We also support Exams Officer Networks across the UK to give Exams Officers key updates and an opportunity to share best practice. If you aren’t already signed up to a network, you can use this link to sign up: Exams Officer Engagement Team.
Next steps for Exams Officers
As we move towards assessment reform, we’re working with stakeholders to develop our offer to support you. As Exams Officers, you can take part in our assessment reform panel, which will be shared with you in our monthly Assessment Reform Roundup. The panel questions will compliment the work we are doing with teachers across the industry and will be formatted as quick, flexible and optional surveys to fit around your workload.
Overall summary of planned changes to subjects
- Clearer progression in subjects to move through the Key Stages
- Religious Studies to form part of the humanities slot for Progress 8 and Attainment 8
- Practical subjects to have improved inclusivity in assessment
- Reduced content in some subjects
- Broader representation and diversity in subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What is the timeline for GCSE and A-level reform?
There’s a phased approach to the introduction of introducing the reformed GCSEs and A-levels. This is to make sure the assessment reform process is manageable for everyone.
- Phase one GCSE subjects will be taught from September 2029, with first exams in 2031.
- Phase two GCSE subjects will be taught from September 2030, with first exams in 2032.
- A-level subjects will follow the same pattern.
- Phase one A-level subjects will be taught from September 2031, with first exams in 2033.
- Phase two A-level subjects will be taught from September 2032, with first exams in 2034.
The Department for Education (DfE) hasn’t announced which subjects are in each phase yet.
- Once GCSE and A-level reform specifications are underway, will AQA need an intention to teach/estimated entries number?
Once our specifications have been accredited and published, we’ll be in touch with centres to find out your entry plans. Knowing that you intend to enter with us, and an estimated number of entries, allows us to better understand how we can support you through first assessment of our new specifications.
- Is it likely that the costs for qualifications will change when the new specifications are launched?
The costs for our qualifications won’t be confirmed until later in the process, after the DfE has confirmed the draft subject content.
As an independent education charity, we work hard to manage our costs. We reinvest entry fees into creating and delivering high-quality qualifications and assessments, and into being able to offer as wide a choice of subjects as possible – along with comprehensive support and training packages for teachers. Our aim is always to keep our prices fair and competitive.
- How will the developments in GCSE and A-level reform work alongside the developments in digital exams?
We’re waiting for the outcomes of the Ofqual consultation on on-screen assessment before we confirm our plans for future digital exams. When this happens, it’s likely that we’ll be able to tell you more information on the timelines and how any changes might align.