Eagerly awaited news, finally confirming alternative arrangements for the earlier cancelled 2021 GCSE and A-Level exams. Communication from the Department for Education details these keys points:

Students will have grades that are determined and awarded by teachers. Detailed guidance will be provided by exam boards to support teachers.

Whatever assessment is deployed will be based on what they have been taught. In carrying out their assessment on students, teachers are able to utilise internal methods – mock exams, coursework, essays, tests and other assigned work which forms part of a student’s course. Teachers can alternatively decide to opt for mini-assessments based on questions provided by exam boards.

Key Dates:

June 18th – Teachers submit grades to exam boards
August 9th – Results released this week. Dates brought forward to allow those pursuing university places more time to present appeals.

For international students, Cambridge Assessment International Education released a statement on 19th February saying they “continue to plan for exams to go ahead in June 2021 where it is permitted and safe”. They will however implement teacher assessment where directives from government authorities preclude examinations from going ahead.

Pearson Edexcel had also published an update on February 3rd, that their International GCSE and International AS/A Level exams in May/June 2021 will not go ahead. They will also utilise teacher assessment but will offer an additional exam series for International GCSE later in the year. The International AS/A Level October exam series will still hold.