AQA exams in countries where exams have been cancelled 

We understand the last few months have been extremely difficult for schools and colleges in the Gulf and the Middle East with the ongoing conflict.

With Ministries of Education in some countries cancelling exams, we know schools and students have been waiting patiently for clarity on what all this means for those due to sit their AQA qualifications this summer.

We must follow Ofqual’s rules for our regulated qualifications, we want to work with schools to enable as many students as possible to secure their qualifications this series.

Here’s some guidance on what this means for you:

• Ofqual’s plan where exams cannot go ahead
• Special consideration
• Students no longer in the region
• If you feel exams can go ahead safely
• Switching to OxfordAQA exams
• Statement of recognition
• Cancelling entries
• Deadlines

Ofqual’s plan where exams cannot go ahead

Ofqual has confirmed to exam boards, that its post-covid resilience arrangements such as Teacher Assessed Grades were designed for events that have a system-wide impact, and not for localised or regional disruption.

This means exam boards cannot issue results based on mock exams or other forms of evidence, to students where exams cannot go ahead in their country.

We appreciate that this may not be what schools and students were expecting and recognise the challenges it may bring. We’re here to support schools in the next steps and guide them through the options available.

Special consideration and estimated grades 

If students cannot sit exams, they can apply for special consideration, which will be particularly relevant for students that may be eligible for an estimated grade where they have completed their NEA component or speaking test component.

To help support as many students receive a qualification under the Special Consideration arrangements, we may be able to support schools to deliver GCSE MFL spoken language assessments or other oral or performance-based components remotely. We’ll be in touch with schools soon with how we can support with this.

Students no longer in the region

If students have relocated to the UK and they would like to enter as a private candidate at a centre in the UK, they will need to follow the Private Candidate guidance on our website. 

If exams can go ahead safely

Schools should work with their local Ministry of Education to understand how local decisions on the conduct of exams may affect them. If in conjunction with the local ministry, a school decides that exams can go ahead safely, and in line with our rules, we will support support them. If you Schools need to request an extension for submitting marks and grades for NEA, please email us at HyperCareSupport@aqa.org.uk.

Switching to OxfordAQA exams 

OxfordAQA - our joint venture with Oxford University Press - has equivalent qualifications in many of the subjects that we offer. In most instances they are very closely aligned to AQA specification content.

OxfordAQA qualifications are not regulated by Ofqual, as they do not regulate International GCSEs and A-levels. This means that by switching to OxfordAQA, your students can still receive grades by submitting evidence of student performance.

We will send you more guidance to schools on how to manage this process, in the meantime, schools can see our list of which subjects have an equivalent OxfordAQA qualification to switch to. Our focus is on making sure that this is simple and straight forward as possible. In the meantime, schools can take a look at the OxfordAQA guidance document which has more information about gathering evidence of student performance.

OxfordAQA International GCSEs and A-levels have been independently evaluated by UK ENIC, the agency responsible for providing information and advice on academic qualifications from all over the world, as being at the same standard as the British GCSEs and A-levels accredited by the UK exams regulator, Ofqual.

This means that schools can trust that OxfordAQA qualifications are equivalent to qualifications sat in the UK, and that they are recognised by universities around the world. This includes the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge and all of the UK’s Russell Group, the USA’s Ivy League and Australia’s Group of Eight.

Statement of recognition

If students are not eligible for special consideration and need evidence of attainment for progression, particularly to higher education, schools can request a statement of recognition.

This statement recognises that the student has been fully prepared for their qualifications but has encountered exceptional mitigating circumstances outside their control which prevent them from completing any components in an award.

The Statement of Recognition is not an award but uses predicted grades to recognise the grades the student was expected to achieve had they been able to sit their exams. Please see Section 5.2, p.18 of the JCQ A guide to the special consideration process for more information. 

While this is not a qualification certificate, it can inform discussions to facilitate progression. Ofqual is speaking with UCAS to ask for their support for students applying for UK higher education. Please get in touch if you’d like to explore this for your students.

Cancelling entries

If none of the above options are possible, your students can defer to another series. Please cancel your AQA entries, and you’ll receive a full refund or credit note for next summer series.

Deadlines

To make sure we can deliver results to your students where we can, and on time, we’ll be back in touch to let you know the relevant deadlines depending on the choices you make.

We’d like to thank all schools impacted for their continued commitment at this difficult time. To talk to us about the support we can offer, please get in touch with us on HyperCareSupport@aqa.org.uk - we’re ready and waiting to help.

If you have a press and media enquiries, please contact pressoffice@aqa.org.uk.