AQA told to ensure it abides by exam regulation over review of exam grades

Exam board AQA has been told by Ofqual to make sure that it follows regulation over the review of exam grades.

As reported by Tes, AQA has admitted that it followed to follow rules over the re-marking of GCSE and A Level papers earlier this year.

AQA is being told by Ofqual to comply with the rules after the exam board broke a number of regulations over how and when grades should be changed.

An undertaking by AQA states that Ofqual “identified increases of marks and grades” from this year’s GCSE and A Level exams.

These were “considered to be inconsistent with fully compliant application” of the rules, known as Reviews of Marking and Moderation, it adds.

It continues: “Ofqual investigated this issue and concluded that AQA had not acted sufficiently to change reviewers’ behaviours and practices”.

English language GCSE was a particular area of concern for the regulator, Tes understands.

Earlier this year, AQA was criticised for employing students to mark exam papers.

Ofqual has requested assurances from AQA that we will take steps to review and improve their reviewer training (and make it mandatory); review and improve their approach to monitoring reviewers to identify any potential for non-compliant practices; and to consider and explain how, as a result of that monitoring, AQA will intervene where necessary.