Exams, Qualification Reform, and the

CurriculumKS4 Information Evening 2015

Marks and Grades – old system

Demonstrate you know this content or you can do this skill

Get the marks for it

Achieve a grade

Marks and Grades – new system

Teachers / examiners

award marks

Exam boards collate marks

and decide grade

boundaries

Exam boards award grades in

proportion to the marks achieved

What does it mean for you?Current Year 10• English, English

Literature and Maths GCSEs graded 9-1• All other GCSEs A*-G• All reformed A levels

Current Year 11• All GCSEs A*-G• Half “reformed” A

levels, half “unreformed”

The Core Curriculum• English: 2 GCSEs (English Language & English Literature)• Maths: 1 GCSE• Science:

• Triple Science: 3 GCSEs (Biology, Physics, Chemistry)• Double Science: 2 GCSEs (Core Science and Additional

Science) • Cambridge National Science: GCSE equivalents (Science &

Science in the Workplace) plus GCSE Core Science

• RE: Short Course GCSE (½ GCSE)• PSHE

The Options Curriculum• Up to four GCSEs or equivalent• Six lessons per fortnight

Assessment• In-class assessment

• Verbal• Written• Formal• Informal

• Controlled Assessment / Coursework• “Counts” towards the

GCSE (or equivalent)• Will be given a

numerical mark

• Mock Exams• Summer of Year 10• December of Year 11

• Real Exams

A final note…