Y10 and 12 parents - Exams 2022 covid adjustments consultation

[noblegiraffe]

The government have opened a consultation on their proposed arrangements for 2022 exams, which closes on 1st August so that hopefully we can have confirmation of details early next academic year.

Link to the consultation here: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposed-changes-to-the-assessment-of-gcses-as-and-a-levels-in-2022/proposed-changes-to-the-assessment-of-gcses-as-and-a-levels-in-2022

A handy summary of proposals here:

schoolsweek.co.uk/exams-2022-what-you-need-to-know-about-plans-for-gcses-and-a-levels/

Online response form here:

ofqual.citizenspace.com/public/proposed-changes-to-gcses-as-and-a-levels-in-2022/consultation/intro/

Basically the proposals are

choice of topics in GCSE English literature, history, ancient history and choice of content in GCSE geography

changes to the requirements for the delivery of practical activities in science subjects, and assessment in art and design

the provision of advance information on the focus of the content of exams, in the majority of subjects at GCSE, AS and A level (where there hasn't been a choice of topics to study)

the provision of support materials in GCSE mathematics, physics and combined science exams (in maths this will be a formula sheet)

Perhaps I am being dim but are there any adjustments planned for English Language GCSE? I don't see how you could do advanced notice of the topics as it is analyzing unseen prose/poetry?? English Lang is the one they have to pass or retake right? Does it mean the grade boundaries are likely to be lower?

4-6 weeks notice is hopeless. Why so little? I just presumed they'd tell everyone really early?

Sorry for intruding into 2022 exams, my DS will sit A Levels in 2023. Do we expect public exams to be sat in 2023. Tbh, I was expecting them in 2021. Given we are using CAG, I wouldn’t be surprised if that happens in 2022, too. Though, I am unsure about 2023.

@IThinkIMadeItWorse

Perhaps I am being dim but are there any adjustments planned for English Language GCSE? I don't see how you could do advanced notice of the topics as it is analyzing unseen prose/poetry?? English Lang is the one they have to pass or retake right? Does it mean the grade boundaries are likely to be lower?

@IThinkIMadeItWorse there is no adjustment for English language as per the .gov link noble provided. They expect teachers to teach the entire content.

Unseen poetry is part of English Lit but yes English lang they do a comprehension piece and yes lang is the one that counts when they say GCSEs in Maths and English.

@noblegiraffe I feel they will go back to the 2019 grade distribution, it is the one they are saying was the last correct, none adjusted, under our control grade profile, surely it has to be that one. The table online showing the algorithm grades compared to the CAGs was just ridiculous. We have a curve for a reason to adjust when needed.

Ds2 is doing History, they have 3 papers, 2 papers both cover 2 topics each so they have not yet taught the History Around Us content for the stand alone paper, it is one of the most interesting because it covers a local site and they learn about how that site has changed over time. Ds1 did it and it was fascinating.

@OnTheBenchOfDoom More behind on History here. Not only have we got the history around us topic but also the British themes to cover. Exactly halfway through subject content 😕

Many thanks that’s so helpful

I've been meaning to do this as I will have a yr13 and a y11 next summer, thanks for the reminder.

@Butterfly44 do you only start the GCSE topics in year 10?

Ds1 started it in the last half term of year 9. Ds2 is year 10, they started after Easter of year 9 giving them a full term to learn content. Ds1 initially needed help with History so I know it inside out from testing his knowledge. They do OCR, I don't know if any other board does History Around Us. Ds2 has already completed paper 1 which became their mock paper. They have also completed the first topic of paper 2 and have started background to topic 2. So if there is no History Around Us then it will be revision and mastery in year 11.

@OnTheBenchOfDoom Also OCR history here. They started content in yr10. Sat the paper 1 for the mocks but just starting the two other topics now. Agree, history around is the most interesting so pity if it's taken out.