Proposals to support students taking exams in some GCSE subjects
in summer 2023 have been given the go-ahead after 2 Ofqual public
consultations.
Permanent changes to assessment requirements in modern foreign
language (MFL) GCSEs will also be introduced.
The outcome of a consultation
on proposed changes to the assessment of mathematics, physics and
combined science and a consultation outcome on
proposed changes to the assessment of MFL from 2023 published
today show:
-
more than 90 per cent of respondents – including students and
teachers – supported proposals to continue to require exam
boards to provide formulae and revised equations sheets for
GCSE mathematics, physics and combined science exams in 2023
-
more than 95 per cent strongly agreed or agreed with
proposals in GCSE modern foreign language (MFL) to remove
permanently the requirement for exam boards to include
unfamiliar vocabulary that is not on vocabulary lists. This
will take effect for assessments from 2023 onwards
The Department for Education (DfE) confirmed its expectations for
subject content in September. Ofqual then published its
consultations on the arrangements for each, while the DfE hosted
a separate consultation on minor amendments to the MFL subject
content.
Ofqual Chief Regulator Dr Jo Saxton said: “In 2023, students will
again have the opportunity to show what they know and can do in
exams. We have listened to feedback and today’s decisions,
together with some protection on grading, offer the degree of
support students need as we move towards normality, while
guarding against over-testing.”
Ofqual also today publishes the outcome of its joint
consultation with the DfE on proposals to build resilience in the
exam system for GCSE, AS, A level, Project and AEA
qualifications. Ofqual and the DfE have decided to introduce
guidance to support
schools and colleges to gather evidence of student performance
that could be used to determine grades, in the unlikely event
that exams are not able to go ahead as planned.
