Ofqual today (5 November) launched a
consultation on long-term arrangements for the assessment
of programming skills in GCSE computer science.
Earlier this year, following consultation, we changed the
assessment arrangements for GCSE computer
science because of evidence that the
confidentiality of some of the programming tasks had been
compromised. These revised arrangements mean that for
students taking exams in 2019 and 2020 their GCSE computer
science grades will be based on their exam performance
alone.
We discussed with teachers and subject associations the
ways by which students’ programming skills could be
assessed in the longer term. We concluded that it is not
possible to use non-exam assessment in the qualification to
assess programming skills in a way that is manageable,
reliable and fair. We also concluded that exam boards could
assess programming skills in different and potentially
innovative ways under exam conditions, and that our rules
should require them to do so.
For students starting their courses in 2020, who will be
taking their exams in 2022, we propose that:
- all assessment, including that of programming skills,
is conducted by exam.
- the assessments will require students to complete the 4
steps of designing, writing, testing and refining a program
to achieve a task or solve a problem as separate or
combined activities.
- the original assessment objective weightings for this
qualification are reinstated, to reflect the importance of
practical programming skills.
Today’s consultation also proposes that the current
short-term arrangements remain in place for students
starting courses next September and sitting exams in this
subject in 2021. This will allow exam boards to put in
place revised assessments and allow teachers time to
prepare. The current arrangements mean students have 20
hours set aside in their timetables to complete a
programming task, and their programming skills are assessed
during the exam.
Sally Collier, Ofqual Chief Regulator, said:
Practical programming skills are an important aspect of
the computer science GCSE and we have carefully
considered how best to assess them. Reflecting on how
programming could be effectively assessed, previous
experience with this qualification, and the views of
those within the sector, we believe that in order to
secure valid assessment and manage the risk of
malpractice, programming skills should be assessed by
examination.
We are keen to encourage innovation and in our
consultation, launched today, we propose granting exam
boards discretion over the form of exam assessment they
offer. We are proposing a timetable that ensures exam
boards have sufficient time to determine their approach
and that teachers can select and prepare to deliver the
approach that best meets the needs of their students. I
encourage anyone with an interest in GCSE computer
science to respond to our consultation.
