GCSE & A LEVEL GRADES

STUDENT CONCERNS OVER THAT 40% GRADES TO BE MODERATED DOWNWARDS

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A level results day is Thursday 13 August 2020 whilst GCSE results will come out a week later on

August 20. SQA grades will be released on Tuesday 4 August 2020.

There are growing concerns of a potential results-day student outcry, as over two fifths of GCSE and A-level grades are at risk of being moderated downwards. Mathematical modelling experts have expressed that teacher-assessed GCSE and A-level grades may have been more generous and relatively inflated compared to previous years. Reports and modelling by Ofqual and exam boards also suggest an alarming disparity, hence the need to use statistical modelling to standardise the results on the basis of the school/centre’s historical performance. Ofqual have clearly warned that schools’ historic performance in subjects are likely to carry more weight than “optimistic” teacher-assessed grades.

A level results day is Thursday 13 August 2020 whilst GCSE results will come out a week later on August 20. SQA grades will be released on Tuesday 4 August 2020. Schools and exam boards are already bracing themselves for a really tense and controversial results day, potential student backlash and an increased number of queries.

The cancellation of this summer’s exams resulted in schools being asked to submit a teacher-assessed grade for each pupil as well as a rank order of their students at each grade for each subject. Exam boards will then use Ofqual’s standardisation model to moderate the grades and ensure they stay in line at national and school subject level. This involves using the school’s historic achievement, which if necessary, is used to adjust grades where they appear to be significantly inflated.