Ofqual has today (29 April 2021) published wave 19 of the annual
perceptions of AS, A levels, GCSEs and Applied General
qualifications in England survey. This information, published
annually as official statistics, was carried out by the research
organisation YouGov on our behalf. These regular survey outputs
allow us to understand changes and variations in general
perceptions of qualifications among...Request free trial
Ofqual has today (29 April 2021) published wave 19 of the
annual perceptions of AS, A levels, GCSEs and Applied
General qualifications in England survey.
This information, published annually as official
statistics, was carried out by the research organisation
YouGov on our behalf.
These regular survey outputs allow us to understand changes
and variations in general perceptions of qualifications
among learners, parents, employers, teachers, headteachers,
higher education institutions, and the general public.
This year to capture the extraordinary nature of the events
and arrangements put in place in 2020 as a response to the
pandemic, a separate set of questions specific to 2020 was
also introduced.
A report outlining perceptions of vocational and technical
qualifications will also be published prior to summer
awarding.
Key findings from the qualifications perception survey
Composite confidence in GCSE, AS, A level and Applied General
qualifications in general
- There was an increase in overall composite confidence
in GCSEs, AS and A levels, and Applied General
qualifications in general between waves 18 and 19.
- General, overall composite confidence was highest for
AS and A level qualifications, followed by GCSEs and
Applied General qualifications, in that order.
General perceptions of GCSEs
- In comparison with wave 18, there was an increase in
the overall level of agreement that, in general, GCSEs are
well understood by people (62% to 69%), while agreement
that they are trusted qualifications remained broadly
consistent (75%).
- Overall levels of agreement that, in general, GCSE
standards are maintained year-on-year increased (41% to
45%), as did the perception that, in general, the marking
of these qualifications is accurate (39% to 46%) in
comparison with wave 18.
General perceptions of AS and A levels
- Compared to wave 18, there was an increase in the
overall level of agreement that, in general, AS and A
levels are well understood by people (59% to 63%). There
was also an increase in the level of agreement that, in
general, the marking of AS and A levels is accurate (42% to
49%).
- In most cases, however, levels of agreement with
statements regarding AS and A levels in general have
remained broadly consistent in comparison with wave 18. In
wave 19, approximately eight in ten respondents (82%)
agreed that, in general, AS and A levels are trusted
qualifications and half (50%) agreed that, in general, AS
and A level standards are maintained year-on-year.
General perceptions of Applied General qualifications
- Overall, 16% of respondents in wave 19 agreed that, in
general, Applied General qualifications are well understood
by people. This was an increase in comparison with wave 18.
- In total, 38% of respondents in wave 19 agreed that, in
general, Applied General qualifications are good
preparation for further study. This was an increase
compared with each of the previous waves
- In wave 19, 45% of respondents agreed that, in general,
Applied General qualifications are good preparation for
work. This was an increase compared with each of the
previous waves
Comparison of general perceptions of GCSEs, AS and A levels,
and Applied Generals
- Comparable to previous waves, in general, respondents
expressed the highest levels of trust in AS and A levels,
followed by GCSEs and then Applied General qualifications.
- Respondents indicated higher levels of agreement that,
in general, standards are maintained year-on-year for AS
and A levels, followed by GCSEs. Agreement levels for both
of these were much higher than for Applied General
qualifications.
- Respondents were most likely to agree that, in general,
Applied General qualifications are good preparation for
work, with higher levels of agreement than for AS, A levels
and GCSEs.
Perceptions of the qualifications system in 2020
- Asking respondents to think specifically about their
perceptions of qualifications in 2020 rather than just
their more general outlook exposed the impact that the
changes in 2020 had on perceptions of qualifications in
that year. In 2020, these qualifications appear to be
perceived as less understood, trusted and consistent in
standards.
- Teachers and head teachers of Applied General
qualifications were equally likely to say they were aware
of the appeals against results process in place for Applied
General qualifications in 2020 as they were of the normal
process.
- Respondents were less aware of the modified appeals
against results process in place for GCSE, AS and A level
results in 2020 than they were about the usual process
- Teachers and head teachers who teach GCSEs, AS or A
levels were less likely to agree that they had adequate
information about what constituted malpractice in 2020 in
comparison with their more general awareness of the system.
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