Exam boards making new GCSEs too easy, says TES
The latest news regarding the government’s GCSE reform programme compiles further uncertainty on examination boards following the controversy of inconsistent maths papers this year.
Ofqual, the examinations regulator, has rejected specimen papers for reformed GCSEs in history and geography from all four exam boards involved in the new process. Ministers are now reported to be considering asking Ofqual to introduce fines for exam boards that have to resubmit their sample assessment materials to the regulator too many times.
All four examination boards sent statements to TES in which they reassured how it was normal for specifications to be rejected first time round. The boards said they were benchmarking their specifications against ‘the best in the world’ and wanted to encourage schools that they were working with Ofqual to make sure specifications were accredited ‘as soon as possible’.
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