Changes to exams (No January exams). Could there be further reforms?

Not too bothered about the summer only exams, as my school already does that. However, it does mean more workload at the end of year which totally depends on the person. If they can handle going everything at the end then that'll be fine with them. But it now means no chance for re-sits if someone messes up on exams which could have otherwise been taken in January/Earlier.

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With all the reforms in the previous months, would it be likely for there to be a U-turn done by the current government and halt the current reforms (reinstate January exams as of next year)?

Secondly, what's your stance on the whole Summer only exams?

Not too bothered about the summer only exams, as my school already does that. However, it does mean more workload at the end of year which totally depends on the person. If they can handle going everything at the end then that'll be fine with them. But it now means no chance for re-sits if someone messes up on exams which could have otherwise been taken in January/Earlier.

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Yeah, I think I agree with that it's a good thing in some sense, but also it could be seen to discriminate against some candidates who study subjects that involve 3 exams for AS, and 3 for A2, albeit their own choice.


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I don't think it's fair.... what if the person has a tough day? or the person feeling sick? how is the student suppose to take a re-sit in NEXT year june??? when they have like their ENTIRE A2 unit/module exams???? tbf if they scrapped January exam.... they might as well scrapped the june's b/c they'll be pointless!

I don't think it's fair.... what if the person has a tough day? or the person feeling sick? how is the student suppose to take a re-sit in NEXT year june??? when they have like their ENTIRE A2 unit/module exams???? tbf if they scrapped January exam.... they might as well scrapped the june's b/c they'll be pointless!

Plenty of schools already don't do Jan exams and only allow June exams. Wut if dey all hav tuff day?

I have been to 8 different schools across the country, and they ALL do january exam! What I'm trying to say is that, we should get ppl involve and change this absurd idea!

I don't think it's fair.... what if the person has a tough day? or the person feeling sick? how is the student suppose to take a re-sit in NEXT year june??? when they have like their ENTIRE A2 unit/module exams???? tbf if they scrapped January exam.... they might as well scrapped the june's b/c they'll be pointless!

Plenty of schools already don't do Jan exams and only allow June exams. Wut if dey all hav tuff day?

I think as a whole it's a good idea. It makes the system more fair in the long run and it forces people not to slack off. However, I think there should be some allowances. I'm taking Further Maths, I accept that I'm taking it out of my own choice and not necessity, but I get given double the amount of lessons to do 2 A-Levels so I think it would be fair, for those in situations like mine, to take half our modules in January.
I also worry for those people who haven't quite comprehended the difference between A level and GCSE. I know so many people who messed up their January exams and I think taking and/or failing January exams is an important part of developing study techniques, but outside of school life it also teaches us about the importance of working hard and meeting deadlines. I think some people need to face the reality of how far little to no effort gets you, without having to suffer the consequence of losing the chance to gain a qualification.

My school didn't do January resits for AS level. At A2 level some departments persuaded to let them do January exams - and the majority of people (myself included who did two modules) retook these too due to poor performance. So, in reality this change wouldn't have affected me.

Yes, it puts more pressure on you, but equally we are still lucky to have AS and A2 exams - some countries only do exams at the end of two years.

I doubt there will be a U-turn. Everyone is under the same pressure and in the same boat so you can't say it's unfair.




People should fail too many AS modules so I don't think doing an extra exam will matter much more in the summer of A2 year (AS exams are generally earlier if I remember correctly).

Summer only = good

Introducing this during part way through a qualification (ie for current Y12) = bad

Removal of AS exams in Y12 = bad

Perfect answer, and in relation to another post they should Give a bit of space between the main exams and the STEP/AEA ones.

I think the best option would have been to have a resit policy where the "newest grade stands", or something along the lines. I know people who have resat certain modules three times to push a B to an A, and do very little revision and just "hope for the best". It should be made so that people don't keep resitting grades A grades at say 80% to get the UMS needed for 90%, otherwise we will see grade inflation again. I have benefitted from doing a resit in January, pushing a C to an A but I revised hard for it, and it wasn't something that I did in hope to gain a couple of UMS.

That would have been a better reform than removing January exams completely.