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GCSE, GCE and AEA code of practice April 2009

Last updated on: 14/04/2009

The code promotes quality, consistency, accuracy and fairness in assessment and awarding. It helps to maintain standards, both within and between awarding bodies and from year to year.

The code is reviewed annually to ensure that it remains up to date and fit for purpose. Changes have been made as result of:

  • Awarding bodies' experiences of putting the code into practice and evidence from Ofqual's and the other two regulators' monitoring activities.
  • The continuing development of e-assessment and e-marking technology.

In addition:

  • The code is produced by Ofqual for England in conjunction with the regulators for Wales and Northern Ireland. Ofqual is the new regulator of qualifications, examinations and tests in England. The code will be appearing under the banner of Ofqual for the first time.
  • Internally assessed controlled assessment will come into effect with new GCSEs which will be taught for the first time from September 2009.  The code has been amended to reflect the requirements of the new GCSE criteria. 
  • The appendices of the code have been amended to reflect changes to the structure of GCSE mathematics and modern foreign language qualifications.