School pupils are busy sitting or preparing for their GCSE, AS and A levels with the second sat summer exams since the pandemic underway. Regulator Qualifications Wales has set grade boundaries midway between pre-pandemic 2019 and last summer's overall higher grades.
This is despite England planning to largely return to pre-pandemic grading levels next year and means exams in Wales will likely be graded more generously than those taken across the border. Students and schools can expect results to be lower for summer 2023 than summer 2022- when sat exams returned.
This summer's exam results will also be lower than the two pandemic years under teacher assessed grades, but higher than pre-pandemic 2019. But pupils and teachers were given some advance information of the topics, themes, texts or other content to expect for this summer's exams.
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A and AS results will be out on August 17. GCSE results will be out on August 24.
All the results out on August 17 in Wales:
- AS/A Level
- Level 3 Applied Certificates and Diplomas
- Skills Challenge Certificate – WBQ Advanced
- Extended Project
- Foundation Diploma in Art and Design
- Health and Social Care/ Children’s Care Play Learning and Development (Wales)
All the results out on August 24 in Wales :
- GCSE
- Level 1/2 Vocational Awards and Certificates
- Entry Level
- Level 1&2 Certificates (Latin and Additional Maths)
- Language Pathways
- Skills Challenge Certificate – Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification National/Foundation
- Cymraeg Gwaith
Critics said grades were inflated when sat exams were cancelled and awarded on teacher assessment in 2020 and 2021. Wales posted record exam results in those two years. The regulator has said the aim is to steady the system but also take account of the continued ripple of disruption to learning caused by Covid.
Announcing the summer 2023 grading plan last autumn Qualifications Wales said: "The intention is for this (academic) year’s results to fall broadly midway between the 2019 and 2022 results. This approach takes into account the disruption experienced by learners during the pandemic and the fact that AS qualifications and some GCSE units were awarded this year – using a different grading approach - and these will have an impact on next summer’s grading."
"The move signals the next step on the Welsh qualification system's journey back to pre-pandemic assessment arrangements, whilst also maintaining support for learners, schools and colleges with advance information and a supportive approach to grading."
The regulator said providing some advance information of what to expect in exam papers would help learners focus their revision for exams and assessments.
"Qualifications Wales believes that this is the fairest approach for learners this year. The current trajectory means that there will be a return to pre-pandemic standards in 2024. "
Philip Blaker, Chief Executive of Qualifications Wales, pointed out that as most qualifications are delivered over two years it meant some learners had already experienced disruption as they prepared for qualifications completed in 2023.
"We continue to work closely with awarding bodies, other UK regulators, higher education institutions and other stakeholders to make sure that Welsh learners are not disadvantaged. It remains our priority that the grades learners achieve support their progression on to the next stage of their learning or employment.”
Exam board WJEC says on its website: "Grades will be awarded generously in 2023, broadly midway between the 2019 and 2022 outcomes – in line with Qualifications Wales' announcement."
This is how England's exams will be graded and run in 2023
Candidates sitting exams in England, or English exam board exams in Wales, did not get advance information of content. The approach across the border was different.
What is a grade boundary?
Grade boundaries are the minimum number of marks candidate need to achieve each grade. As exams are different each year, so are the grade boundaries. Grade boundaries for each qualification are published by exam boards on results days.
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