Assessment

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

Sunday

24th Sep 2023

What are the Lib Dems’ education policies?
Education spokesperson Munira Wilson on what the party would do for schools to be unveiled at the Liberal Democrat Conference
What the Lib Dems want for schools

Friday

22nd Sep 2023

Sunak’s British Baccalaureate is a ‘sketchy slogan’
Education experts question whether the prime minister’s post-16 plan would mean replacing A levels and warn there are ‘nowhere near enough teachers’ to deliver it
Sunak’s British Baccalaureate is a ‘sketchy slogan’

Wednesday

20th Sep 2023

Is Scottish education too exam focused?
In upper secondary school, too much time is spent rehearsing for exams, leading to ‘disillusionment and frustration’, MSPs hear
Exam rehearsing

Friday

15th Sep 2023

International schools call for exam and curriculum shake-up
COBIS letter to Gillian Keegan warns that ‘significant’ elements of British education that international schools deliver are ‘not fit for purpose’
Not fit for purpose
Exclusive

Thursday

14th Sep 2023

Schools blamed for high number of failed exam appeals
Scotland’s exam body says teachers’ poor evidence and inaccurate grading led to an unexpectedly high number of appeals being rejected last year
unsuccessful appeals

Wednesday

13th Sep 2023

SQA chief: No new qualifications body before 2025
The first exam diet to be overseen by Scotland’s new qualifications body will be in 2026 – but only if all goes to plan, says SQA boss
SQA chief: No new qualifications body before 2025
Sats: The impact of Covid on primary pupils revealed
The latest key stage 2 Sats data shows how the pandemic has widened the disadvantage gap – and the need for urgent government action
Attainment gap

Thursday

31st Aug 2023

Making sense of formative assessment as a school leader
An understanding of how different forms of assessment relate to the Scottish exams system is critical, explains secondary headteacher Bruce Robertson
Growing steps
Why northern school attainment gap fears are misplaced
Much is made of the North-South divide, but this academic says the reality is more nuanced and offers cause for hope
Attainment gap

Wednesday

30th Aug 2023

Could students with ASN use own devices in exams next year?
Students with additional support needs in Scotland have their own 1:1 devices – until it comes to exams, but a new pilot could change that
Could students with ASN use devices in exams next year?

Tuesday

29th Aug 2023

‘Preparing students for work is as important as exams’
The government must do more to help schools ensure students have career aspirations that allow their exam results to lead to an interesting job, says Robin Walker
Robin Walker preparing for work

Friday

25th Aug 2023

GCSE results 2023: Keegan defends resits
Sector leaders call for alternatives to compulsory GCSE English and maths resits
Keegan defends GCSE resits amid calls to drop them