Exams and assessments 2023-2024
We’re here to support learners, parents, carers, schools and colleges through the 2023-2024 academic year. We’ll continue to update this information throughout the year.
What you need to know
Formal exams and assessments will take place again this year for GCSEs, AS and A levels, and for some vocational qualifications along with practical and other non-examination assessments.
After several years of different arrangements due to the pandemic (alternative assessment arrangements in 2020 and 2021, and adapted exam and grading arrangements in 2022 and 2023), this year’s GCSEs, AS, A levels and Skills Challenge Certificate qualifications in Wales will return to pre-pandemic arrangements. As was the case in the 2022-2023 academic year, vocational qualifications will also follow pre-pandemic arrangements.
As we return to the usual assessment arrangements, there will be some statistical protection during the awarding process to prevent results falling substantially below pre-pandemic levels at a subject level.
The journey back to pre-pandemic assessment arrangements
This year we have taken the last step on the Welsh qualification system’s journey back to pre-pandemic usual assessment arrangements due to the disruption from the pandemic:
- 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 - exams were cancelled due to school closures and extensive disruption to education
- 2021-2022 - exams and assessments returned, with changes in place including adaptations, advance information and a generous grading policy to address the disruption that learners had faced
- 2022-2023 – exams took place with fewer changes, however some extra support remained in place in the form of advance information and a supportive approach to grading
Summer 2024 Results
One of our key activities is to oversee the awarding of GCSE, AS and A level qualifications, Skills Challenge Certificates and vocational qualifications.
For more information, visit our dedicated Summer 2024 Results section.
Latest blogs
Learner Guide 2023-24
We’ve published our guide to exams and assessments 2023-24, to give learners the information they need about arrangements for their qualifications.
Preparing for exams and assessments can be a busy time, and many will have questions about the arrangements for their qualifications this year.
That’s why we’ve created an updated guide to exams and assessments for qualifications in 2023/2024.
Help and Support
We understand that preparing for exams and assessments can be a difficult time for learners, parents and carers. There is a wide range of resources and support available. You can find links to additional support below.
Head to the Power Up content hub where you’ll find revision tips, wellbeing guidance and info to get you through the exam and assessment season. You can access revision guides and past papers from WJEC, as well as UCAS application support and wellbeing advice.
WJEC has a dedicated web page where can you find out more about how exams work, how to approach exam questions and wellbeing tips. Plus, you’ll have access to lots of handy revision guides and resources to help you prepare.
The Children’s Commissioner for Wales has lots of helpful information about support services for young people, including mental health and emotional support.
Careers Wales has lots of useful information and qualifications and training. Careers Wales advisers can talk through all your options with you and your parents or carers, whether that’s continuing in education, training, apprenticeships or going into employment.
Mind Cymru is an established mental health charity that offers a range of wellbeing support. Mind is there for you if you’re finding things hard. You can get in contact for confidential help and support.
Exams and assessments 2022-2023
If you want to know more about the arrangements for exams and assessments in the last academic year, visit our dedicated exams and assessments 2022-2023 webpage.