You probably saw the headlines last week that GCSE results were out. But before they were released, were you aware of the new GCSE grading system and how it works?
A study published by the Confederation of British Industry and Pearson found that 35 per cent of businesses were unaware of the exam reform. A further 29 per cent said that whilst they were aware they did not understand how the new numerical grading system works.
Does this put students with the new grading at a disadvantage when applying for jobs?
The concern is that, yes it does. Employers who are wading through job applications and CVs are more likely to opt for applicants where they do understand and know how to interpret their grades compared to applicants under the new grading system.
The new grading system
The new GCSE courses are designed to be more rigorous with exams taken after two years of study, rather than in modules with exams taken throughout the two-year duration of study, there will be less coursework, with grades in almost all subjects depending on exams. The Conservative government have introduced a numbered grade system of grades 9 to 1 (nine being the highest grade and one being the lowest), which are replacing grades A* to G.
This new numbered grading system will be phased in over the next few years:
Summer 2017 – English and maths results are under the new 9 to 1 grading, all other subjects have been graded A* to G.
Summer 2018 – students will sit an increased number of subjects under the new numerical grading. These subjects are to include biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, geography etc.
Summer 2019 – should be fully moved over to the new numerical grading system in all subjects.
Can you compare the new grades to the old ones?
Broadly speaking a four is being compared to a C grade. Grades nine, eight and seven are broadly equivalent to an A* and A. Grades six, five and four are in line with B and C grades, a three being equivalent to a grade D and so on. Education Secretary Justine Greening says a grade four will be seen as a standard pass and a grade five as a strong pass.
The exams watchdog Ofqual have warned against direct comparisons but says the same proportion of students will get a grade four and above as currently get a grade C or above. However, the new GCSE content will be more challenging with fewer grade 9s expected to be awarded compared to the number of A*s that were previously awarded.
New AS and A-levels
There have also been changes to these qualifications, they include assessment being mainly exam, with other types of assessment only where they are needed to test essential skills.
AS and A levels are being assessed at the end of the course, AS typically after 1 year’s study and A levels after 2. The courses will no longer be divided into modules and there won’t be exams in January. AS levels will no longer count towards an A level but can be designed by exam boards to be taught alongside the first year of A levels.