Assessment

The latest news and analysis on exams in the UK, including key dates, timetables, results and statistics for Sats, GCSEs and A levels

Wednesday

14th Jan 2026

Ofqual boss: AI can’t take over exam marking any time soon
Writing exclusively for 91¶¶Òõ, Ofqual chief Sir Ian Bauckham explains the difficulties AI would have to overcome to replace humans in marking national qualifications
Ian Bauckham ai
Exclusive

Tuesday

13th Jan 2026

Ofqual chief reveals ‘anxiety’ about AI use in exam coursework
Sir Ian Bauckham tells MPs that he has informed the DfE of his concern about students using AI in A-level English and history coursework
Sir Ian Bauckham

Monday

12th Jan 2026

Revealed: The experts shaping England’s new curriculum
Dozens of ‘curriculum drafters’ have been chosen to help the government revise the national curriculum, following on from last year’s Francis review
People working together with paper instructions

Friday

9th Jan 2026

Cambridge International issues November A-level results
Almost 100,000 students in over 100 countries have received AS- and A-level results, with IGCSE and O-level results due to be released next week
International mail envelope

Thursday

8th Jan 2026

SQA appeals rise: more than one in 10 Higher results queried
Some 12 per cent of Higher grades were appealed after the 2025 Scottish Qualifications Authority exams – with 6 per cent of appeals resulting in an improved grade
SQA appeals rise, with more than one in 10 Higher results queried
GCSE results app will save schools millions, says DfE
All Year 11 students will be able to access their GCSE results digitally on a new app from this summer, with the government claiming that this will cut down schools’ admin costs
Education Record App

Saturday

3rd Jan 2026

Phonics screening check: all you need to know
This mandatory test is used to determine Year 1 pupils’ phonics skills. Here’s what you need to know, including the 2026 check dates
Phonics cards

Monday

29th Dec 2025

What is the multiplication tables check?
All you need to know about the Year 4 times table check, including when it takes place and which questions are most likely to appear
Times table cards

Friday

19th Dec 2025

Sats scores are still below pre-Covid levels - is this the reason why?
While overall Sats scores have been creeping upwards, a significant – and growing – minority of children are deemed unable to sit the tests. Cerys Turner uncovers the reasons behind a widening gap in KS2 assessment
KS2 Sats: How many children are not taking the tests?
Exclusive

Thursday

18th Dec 2025

Why ‘rage bait’ is an apt word to describe 2025
From AI attendance targets to more mandatory tests, the DfE has not made it easy for schools to remain calm amid so many demands – and 2026 may not be any better, says Pepe Di’Iasio
Mouse trap with cheese

Wednesday

17th Dec 2025

IB issues November exam results to 23,000 students
International Baccalaureate highlights an almost 7 per cent increase in candidates sitting its November exams, including some resit students in the Northern Hemisphere
The International Baccalaureate has issued its November 2025 exam results

Tuesday

16th Dec 2025

Pupils in crowded and damp homes miss more school, study finds
Poor-quality housing affects educational outcomes as well as health, UCL research shows
Children in overcrowded and damp homes miss three weeks more school