Press Release

Ofqual today publishes two regulatory reports on the 2008 examination series

18 March 2009

Ofqual today published two reports:

Statistics for malpractice at GCSE and A level: 2008
Enquiries about results and appeals: Report on the summer 2008 GCSE and A level examinations series

Commenting on these reports, Kathleen Tattersall, Chair of Ofqual, said:

"On the whole the results from these reports are reassuring and they demonstrate that the A level and GCSE system worked very effectively last year.

"The overall number of grades changed following a request for a remark remains very low at less than 0.2%. However, there has been a slight rise in the number of grades changed following a remark this year. We are continuing to work with awarding bodies to ensure that they have good quality assurance systems in place to ensure that any incorrect marking is quickly identified. The continued move towards on screen marking is allowing much quicker detection of markers who are not marking consistently and accurately.

"I know that the issue of reliability in examinations is an extremely important one for learners. We are working closely with awarding bodies and NCT agencies to find better ways of assuring reliability. Ofqual's reliability programme is looking at exactly this issue to ensure that we have a better understanding of reliability, including issues around marking, questions and environment.

"Finally, I am pleased to see that the work done by Ofqual, QCA and JCQ in raising awareness of malpractice in examinations has resulted in a fall in the number of candidates who have sought to cheat in their exams."