Regulatory reports on 2008 exams

Ofqual today published two reports: 

• Statistics for malpractice at GCSE and A level: 2008
• Enquiries about results and appeals: Report on the summer 2008 GCSE and A level examinations series

Commenting on these reports, Kathleen Tattersall, Chair of Ofqual, said:

"On the whole the results from these reports are reassuring and they demonstrate that the A level and GCSE system worked very effectively last year."

"The overall number of grades changed following a request for a remark remains very low at less than 0.2%. However, there has been a slight rise in the number of grades changed following a remark this year. We are continuing to work with awarding bodies to ensure that they have good quality assurance systems in place to ensure that any incorrect marking is quickly identified. The continued move towards on screen marking is allowing much quicker detection of markers who are not marking consistently and accurately."

"I know that the issue of reliability in examinations is an extremely important one for learners.  We are working closely with awarding bodies and NCT agencies to find better ways of assuring reliability. Ofqual's reliability programme is looking at exactly this issue to ensure that we have a better understanding of reliability, including issues around marking, questions and environment."

"Finally, I am pleased to see that the work done by Ofqual, QCA and JCQ in raising awareness of malpractice in examinations has resulted in a fall in the number of candidates who have sought to cheat in their exams."

Notes to editors

1. Copies of these reports can be downloaded from these pages: Statistics for malpractice at GCSE and A level: 2008 and Enquiries about results and appeals: Report on the summer 2008 GCSE and A level examinations series

2. Enquiries about results and appeals report on the Summer 2008 examinations series is published jointly with our regulatory partners DCELLS in Wales and CCEA in Northern Ireland.

3. Statistics for access arrangements and special consideration at GCSE and A level: 2008 report which was due for publication today will now be published at a later date.

4. Ofqual has also today published the National Curriculum Test Review – trends over time report. A copy of the report can be downloaded from this page.

5. Ofqual in its interim form is a part of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). On 2 April 2008 Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, announced that the government intended to legislate to make Ofqual a separate statutory authority reporting directly to Parliament.

6. Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families and John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, announced the appointment of Kathleen Tattersall as Chair of Ofqual on 2 April 2008. Prior to legislation being passed to establish Ofqual on a statutory basis, Kathleen Tattersall is a QCA Board member and Chair of its Ofqual committee.

7. For further information journalists should contact the Ofqual press office on 0300 303 3342, or 07798 924552 outside office hours.  Members of the public should call the Ofqual helpline on 0300 303 3346.