Arrangements for this year

Last year, qualification requirements were adapted to support learners. Will the same adaptations (changes) to exams and assessments be in place this year 2022-23?
No, the adaptations (or changes) to exams and assessments that were in place last year will not continue into this academic year. However, we recognise that the pandemic continues to cause disruption to teaching and learning, and therefore Advance Information will be provided to support you as you prepare for your exams and assessments.

What are the assessment arrangements for GCSEs, AS and A levels this year?
Advance information will be provided for made-for-Wales GCSE, AS and A level qualifications this year. Advance information gives an indication of the topics, themes, texts or other content that learners can expect in their exams. Its main aim is to support you as you prepare for your exams and assessments.

What are the arrangements for the Skills Challenge Certificates (Welsh Baccalaureate) this year?
Advance information is not possible for the Skills Challenge Certificate, so many of the previous adaptations for these qualifications will continue this year and a reduced number of challenges will be required.

What are the arrangements for vocational qualifications this year?
We anticipate that Advance Information may be appropriate for some made-for-Wales vocational qualifications. For more information on the adaptations that are in place for your vocational qualification, speak to your school or college.

What is advance information?
WJEC publishes advance information ahead of exams to help learners focus their revision. This includes letting learners know about some aspects of their exams, e.g. the content, topics and skills that will be assessed.

What happens if I miss one of my exams due to illness?  
You will need to let your school or college know the reason for your illness. WJEC runs a process called special consideration. If you miss one unit, and your school or college thinks you are eligible for special consideration, they can make an application for you.  

If you missed all the exams for one subject in November 2022, then you can be re-entered for the GCSE in the summer 2023 exam series.  

Grading

Who will award my grade this year?
WJEC and other awarding bodies will award learners grades this year. They will follow the usual processes to make sure marking is fair and consistent.

You announced that results will be broadly midway between results in 2019 and 2022 – what does that mean?
This means that when WJEC award grades to learners, the process will continue to provide support for learners, as we take the next step on the journey back to pre-pandemic results.

For each subject, results are likely to be higher than they were in 2019 (the last year that learners sat formal exams) and lower than they were in 2022.

Extra support

I’m nervous about taking exams and assessments, where can I find help?
Preparing to sit exams and assessments can be a tough time for learners, parents and carers. We want to make sure you have access to the help you need. Visit the Help and Support area of our website for links to a range of resources and places where you can access support services.

Where can I find more information about how exams work, marking and grading?
People often ask us about how the exam system fits together, so we’ve created Exams 360 to provide an all-angles view of how it works.

Visit Exams 360 if you’d like to know:

  • who writes your exam paper?
  • how are exam grades set?
  • what happens during marking?
  • how are exam grades set?

For tips and guidance on getting through your exams click here.