Ofqual launches consultation on 2021 exams and assessments

Ofqual has published its consultation on proposals designed to support students taking GCSEs, AS and A levels in 2021 – following concerns due to lost learning during the pandemic.

Ofqual is planning for exams and assessments to be taken next year and is consulting on a range of proposals for general qualifications.

This includes adaptations to free up teaching time. Ofqual has proposed adaptations in a number of subjects to give teachers more time to cover the full content and help relieve the pressure on students. For example, removing the requirement to record the spoken language assessment in GCSE English language; allowing GCSE students to observe (rather than undertake) practical science work; and assessing art and design students on their portfolio alone.

Ofqual has identified those subjects which it believes could be particularly affected if public health safeguards were needed in the next academic year, and suggested how these might be addressed. This includes changes to performance rules in dance and drama, and permitting design and technology students to watch teachers demonstrate the use of machinery, rather than to use the machinery themselves.

Sampling of subject content
The Secretary of State has explained in his letter that he is not minded to specify changes to DfE content which forms the foundation for GCSE, AS and A level qualifications, but he has asked us to explore use of content sampling in question papers and increasing the use of optional questions.

For GCSE history and ancient history, Ofqual is seeking views on proposals which would introduce a choice of topics on which students would be required to answer questions in their exams, with one topic remaining mandatory. For GCSE geography, Ofqual proposes that the content relating to fieldwork should not be assessed in 2021.

Ofqual has asked the exam boards to consider how the 2021 exam timetable could be changed to allow more time for teaching - in particular, whether GCSE exams could start after half term, on 7 June 2021. The watchdog is also seeking views on whether such a change would be appropriate for the AS/A level exam timetable, and the impact of any delay in issuing results.