November exams series gets underway

This is the first series of GCSE examinations to return to pre-pandemic assessment arrangements in Wales.

Over the next fortnight, some learners will be examined in four GCSE subjects – English Language, Mathematics – Numeracy, Mathematics and Welsh Language - as the November 2023 exam series gets underway. This is the first series of GCSE examinations to return to pre-pandemic assessment arrangements in Wales.

The return to usual arrangements is part of the planned journey overseen by Qualifications Wales in the wake of alternative approaches put in place during the pandemic. The final steps of that journey will be completed next summer when the full range of GCSE, AS, A level and Skills Challenge Certificate qualifications are taken by learners.

This means the awarding body, WJEC, is not providing any advance information to learners and centres, as happened last year. There will also not be a broadly midway grading policy as there was in recent years.

Qualifications Wales will monitor how grade boundaries are set by WJEC for all exams taken within this series, ensuring that the standards are appropriate.

“The broadly midway grading approaches of the past two years provided a mechanism by which standards could be re-established over time. That, in effect, is now happening," says Philip Blaker, Chief Executive of Qualifications Wales.

“Returning to usual arrangements helps us to protect the long-term value of learners’ grades and maintain confidence in our qualifications system. Our approach to the 2023/24 academic year aligns with approaches across the rest of the UK, which is important to ensure qualifications hold the same value as those taken in other parts of the UK.

“On behalf of everyone at Qualifications Wales, I’d like to wish all learners taking part in the November exam series the very best.”