Will schools that sit GCSE mocks online be able to use them for CAG?

[Panickingpaul]

The differences between the way schools are doing mocks is really concerning. You have some schools writing their own papers based on only a small part of the subject, some schools allowing open book papers, others not, schools making up more generous marking schemes, some exams done in the classroom without proper supervision and I've just read on another thread of a school doing theirs online. How can any of this be fair if these are going to count towards a final grade? I'm really hoping GCSES go ahead in 2021 as it just seems like a complete farce.

Schools can do mocks however they want, but should be taking lots of different input for any CAGs, not just mock results. If they know mocks have been done at home they will need to take into account that the DC may have had help / looked at notes.

In theory there should be moderation of CAGs to check they are reasonable. It didn't work well last year, and this year I would think it will work even less well, which is why exams might be the 'least bad' option.

Remember, schools order their pupils and put the grade boundaries in. Then moderation moves the boundaries but does not change the order of the pupils. In theory moderation stops schools from over/under estimating the cohort, though in practice that is hard to be consistent on.

Well this is the thing about public exams - yes, they are not suitable for all students, but what they are is fair as in even - the same opportunity for all, to the best extent possible a level playing field, and there is rigour in the way the exam is conducted and the impartial marking.

Those calling for a return to controlled assessment need to bear in mind the extent to which it was abused. I know as I was a teacher then.

I agree, I do think public exams need to go ahead in some form - perhaps further modified, perhaps taking a CAG into account as well, perhaps fewer papers, grade boundaries lower.

In theory there should be moderation of CAGs to check they are reasonable. It didn't work well last year,

The issue last year was that the "algorithm" did not moderate CAGs. It allocated results to students based on the previous profile of the school and ignored CAGs altogether. A method that actually moderates CAGs (such as, for example, that already in place for NEA in some subjects) would definitely be preferred.