Update on GCSE, AS and A Level Exams Summer 2022
Dear Parent/ Carer
UPDATE ON GCSE, AS & A LEVEL EXAMS SUMMER 2022
In January many students across the nation studying vocational qualifications sat external exams, of which 500 were our students at CLF Post 16. This has given confidence that the exam system can now operate safely in 2022. We have had confirmation from the Department for Education and OFSTED that exams will be going ahead in summer 2022. However, to “maximise fairness following the disruption to learning caused by the pandemic”, there have been several changes to the exam season explained below.
Subjects that have several exam papers, these have been spaced further apart on the exam calendar in the event of student illness. Another, is the system for grading this year will be more generous than previous years and more information about this can be read via this link. Finally, from Monday 7th February, exam boards provided ‘Advanced information’ on their websites for GCSE, AS and A Level exam to be taken in Summer 2022. Students and parents can access this information via the exam board websites below for example https://www.aqa.org.uk/2022-exam-changes
The information and focus for exams will look different for each subject and exam board, students will need to know which exam board their subjects are assessed by and please check this with subject teachers. It is important to understand that while topics are highlighted as a focus for assessment in Summer 2022 all areas of the syllabus will be required for knowledge and smaller weighted questions. Exam boards will also reward students for showing knowledge of other areas of the syllabus, where this is relevant to the question. However, the advanced information does provide a checklist of topics that students should revise, in the knowledge they will appear in the exams. A more detailed explanation of how students should consider the advanced information can be found via this link
Teachers in Post 16 will be digesting these updates this week and adapting the Term 4 Pre-Public Exams (Mock assessments) to take this into account. They will also be adapting their plans for teaching over the forthcoming term and revision materials to support students in preparing for the exams this summer. This information will be given out in lessons and explained by each subject teacher.
We are acutely aware that our Year 13 students have had a very difficult time over the last 2 years and having not been through the experience of sitting GCSEs, might be understandably worried about the forthcoming exams. A useful general guide on how to approach revision can be found via this link and some resources to help students cope with worrying about exams, can be found via this link
Finally, please note that every year the exam boards designate a ‘contingency day’ that is used in the case of national or local disruption to exams. When considering booking holidays, please keep in mind that students need to be available to sit exams until 29th June 2022
Yours faithfully
K Cooper
Principal CLF Post 16
