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GCSE science monitoring report 2007 - 2008

As regulator Ofqual monitors new qualifications carefully to ensure that they are appropriate, of a high quality and that the standards set are appropriate. This report considers the new GCSE science qualifications which were introduced for first teaching in 2006.

The report focuses on specifications offered by the England-based and highlights several concerns: the complex structure of some specifications, the high weighting given to objective tests in some specifications, the lack of challenge and demand of some question papers and internally assess tasks, and the standards set in some papers at grades A and C.

The results of our monitoring of the new GCSE science specifications in 2007 and 2008 raised significant causes for concern. We therefore required immediate action from the awarding bodies and their Chief Examiners to address our concerns about assessment so that students, their parents, teachers, government and the wider public can continue to have confidence in the quality of assessment and the grades awarded. Awarding bodies have already taken steps to address the problems about the quality of the tasks set for candidates identified in the Science report. Among these changes, which will impact on the 2009 examinations and beyond, are:

  • Improved quality of questions, to stretch and challenge all students
  • Work, including further training for senior examiners,  to improve the quality of objective tests
  • Tighter marking criteria to ensure that only the answers deserving of the marks are credited
  • Some internal assessment tasks have been revised to ensure better challenge to students and a closer link to the practical work. These changes took effect from last September.
  • Where possible within the existing specifications, the number of options available to candidates has been reduced.

To ensure standards in the longer term the following actions are being taken:

QCA is revising the GCSE science criteria and new specifications will be developed for first teaching in 2011. Ofqual has asked that the new criteria take on board the concerns raised in our report and the new specifications will adhere to the current GCSE qualifications criteria, including the limit of one re-sit per unit.

Ofqual will set out its expectations in detail to the awarding bodies to ensure that awarding bodies set grade standards that are at an appropriate level and in line with national standards.

Ofqual is reviewing future question papers for units that were of particular concern to ensure that they are valid and reliable assessments. This review will particularly consider the opportunities provided for more able candidates to show what they know, understand and can do.