GCSE 2012 reforms

GCSE reforms A move to linear assessment for all GCSEs. A focus on spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) for GCSEs in English Literature, Geography, History and Religious Studies. Performance tables: headline indicator continues to be 5+ A*–C, including English and Mathematics. Edexcel Certificates and International GCSEs to be included in performance tables. English Baccalaureate (EBacc) for English, Mathematics, History or Geography, two sciences and an ancient or modern foreign language.

GCSE reforms – linear assessment and SPaG Ofqual has confirmed the following changes to all GCSEs in England: All GCSE assessment will be linear in structure, so that examinations are taken at the end of the course. There will no longer be an opportunity to resit units. Examinations will on be available in the summer series, except for retake opportunities for English, English Language and Mathematics. Additional marks will be awarded for spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) for GCSEs in English Literature, Geography, History and Religious Studies.

What do the GCSE reforms mean for students. 1 What do the GCSE reforms mean for students? 1. A reduction in the number of GCSE examination series For awards made from summer 2014 onwards: candidates will have to take all GCSE assessments at the end of the course the GCSE examination series will be restricted to May/June, apart from English, English Language and Mathematics, which will offer retake opportunities in November.

2. Additional marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) Additional marks for SPaG will be awarded for GCSEs in English Literature, Geography, History and Religious Studies. The changes affect written and externally assessed units taken from January 2013.  Marks will be allocated to individual questions and students will be informed which questions include marks for SPaG.

3. No change to controlled assessment There are no proposed changes to controlled assessment content*. Schools may continue to schedule controlled assessments at their discretion, as far as this is permitted by the specification. However, controlled assessments can only be submitted to the awarding body at the end of the course. Controlled assessment unit results may be carried forward if a student wishes to retake the qualification. Note: You will need to make sure that you are using the correct task for the submission date at the end of the course. *This is subject to the accreditation of our revised GCSE specifications by Ofqual

4. Minimal change to the specifications There are no plans to change the subject contents of our specifications as a result of the GCSE reforms, announced by Ofqual. The GCSE reforms will affect the way external assessment is taken rather than changing actual external assessments.* *This is based on our draft specifications submitted to Ofqual and will be subject to change in the final accredited qualification.

Proposed timescales For all two-year GCSE courses starting in September 2012, candidates will be applying for their GCSE award in 2014 and will be required to sit all their examinations at the end of the course. Candidates who started three-year courses in September 2011 will be expected to apply for their GCSE award in summer 2014 and therefore will need to enter for all units in May/June 2014.  Candidates who apply for certification of subject awards in summer 2013 (or earlier) will be permitted to enter in a modular way. For all students completing modular GCSEs in English Literature, History, Geography and Religious Studies in summer 2013, external assessments taken from January 2013 will include additional marks for SPaG.

Government reforms to performance tables From 2014, both vocational and academic qualifications will continue to be recognised in the headline measures and the wider performance tables. All qualifications taken by learners at Key Stage 4 will be recorded and published by the Government. The headline indicator will continue to be 5+ A*–C GCSEs, including English and Mathematics. Edexcel Certificates and International GCSEs are to be included in performance tables. The headline measures will change from assessing volume of achievement to assessing breadth of achievement. This means that all qualifications – regardless of size – will count as the equivalent of 1 GCSE.

English Baccalauréate (EBacc) A new performance measure awarded to any student who secures good GCSE or accredited Certificate passes for English, Mathematics, History or Geography, two Sciences, and an ancient or modern foreign language. The Government intends the EBacc to become one of the main measures of achievement for schools in the future. “The English Baccalaureate will be only one measure of performance, and should not be the limit of schools’ ambitions for their pupils. Schools will retain the freedom to innovate and offer the GCSEs, iGCSEs and other qualifications which best meet the needs of their pupils. Pupils will, of course, be able to achieve vocational qualifications alongside the English Baccalaureate.” The DfE White Paper, “The Importance of Teaching”

Visit www.edexcel.com/GCSEreforms for further details. Summary A move to linear assessment. Marks for SPaG in English Literature, History, Geography and Religious Studies. No plans to change the subject content of GCSE specifications.* No plans to change controlled assessment content.* The headline indicator for performance tables will continue to be 5+ A*–C GCSEs, including English and Mathematics. EBacc performance measure introduced. Visit www.edexcel.com/GCSEreforms for further details. *This is subject to the accreditation of our revised GCSE specifications by Ofqual

Supporting you every step of the way www.edexcel.com/GCSEreforms