Official: A-level and GCSE 2021 exams replaced with teacher assessed grades

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Do you think it was the right call to stop A-Level and GCSE exams going ahead as planned?

Looking for information on the 25th of Feb update? Find our new conversation here!

Hi everyone,

It has now been officially announced that due to the new school closures exams will not go ahead as planned in 2021. These exams will be replaced with teacher assessed grades. Teachers will be supported to make sure that the grades given are consistent and fair.

The reason this decision has been made is that it is now believed that students will have simply missed far too much face to face teaching time for traditional examinations to be an equal and fair measure of students abilities.
TSR will continue to update as we find out more. If there is anything TSR can do right now to support you, please reach out and ask and we will do our best.

Private Candidates 2021 Support Thread

If you are struggling, we have put some mental health resources below for you:

TSR Covid-19 Mental Health Hub

Struggling with exams being cancelled? Read some advice here.

MIND - Mental health charity for all ages with help and advice
Young Minds - Mental health support for under 18 year olds
Student Minds - Mental health support for University students
BTEC student support (DM's)

Edit: DFE states that vocational exams will continue in January. This includes all BTECS.

Edit 2: DFE states that colleges can decide whether to run vocational January exams (including BTECs)

Edit 3: It has now been confirmed that exams have been replaced with Teacher Assessed Grades for GCSE, AS and A-level exams. Teachers will be trained and supported to make sure these grades are consistent and fair for everyone.

(edited 3 years ago)

Reply 1

thepunmaster.e

17

Has Boris just said that exams are cancelled??

Same question !

Whyyyyyyyy

Oh my

(edited 3 years ago)

Wow

I misheard him to start with and though he said they were going ahead :lol:

Not sure how to feel about it :redface:

Reply 6

04MR17

Volunteer Section Leader

22

"The Education Secretary will work with Ofqual"

Jesus Christ we're doomed

Reply 7

Charles1660

10

yes. Jobsworth teaching unions and lazy, spoilt children got us to this.

Reply 8

PQ

Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by Laureningliss

He has said alternatives so does that mean 40% content cut or cancelled or what , I’m so confused 😭😭

Could be all sorts of things. Structured assessments, moderated coursework, a different format of “exam” or the sort of unstructured CAGs from 2020.

Reply 9

thepunmaster.e

17

Original post by ENGAAsection1

Same question !

Not English but I have been following it all closely, but the news seems to be saying that GCSEs and A levels are cancelled, though he only spoke about it for about a minute!

Reply 10

Say My Name10

15

I’m a private candidate! I don’t have any hope but any idea what’s gonna happen for all private candidates?

Reply 11

selugawi

15

Original post by thepunmaster.e

Has Boris just said that exams are cancelled??

He kinda phrased it weirdly and went over it really quickly but i do believe so

Reply 12

coffeerush24

15

Original post by Evil Homer

Hi everyone,

It has now been officially announced that due to the new school closures all exams will be cancelled in 2021.

The reason this decision has been made is that it is now believed that students will have simply missed far too much face to face teaching time for traditional examinations to be an equal and fair measure of students abilities.

This is all very new information, and the details on exactly what will replace these exams has yet to come out. The Prime Minister has said that the Education Sectary and Ofqual will now begin discussing next steps. TSR will continue to update as we find out more. If there is anything TSR can do right now to support you, please reach out and ask and we will do our best.

If you are struggling, we have put some mental health resources below for you:

TSR Covid-19 Mental Health Hub

Struggling with exams being cancelled? Read some advice here.

MIND - Mental health charity for all ages with help and advice
Young Minds - Mental health support for under 18 year olds
Student Minds - Mental health support for University students
BTEC student support (DM's)

Does anyone know what might happen. I feel so stressed. I have taken a gap year to resit my exams and now i dont know what to do. I need As to go to the unis i want. I'm freaking out !!!!!

Reply 13

PQ

Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by Say My Name10

I’m a private candidate! I don’t have any hope but any idea what’s gonna happen for all private candidates?

As with last year. Keep in touch with your exam centre. Offer to work with them to get them the information they need to get you a grade awarded however that will be done for your qualification.

Reply 14

mnot

Universities Forum Helper

20

Original post by Say My Name10

I’m a private candidate! I don’t have any hope but any idea what’s gonna happen for all private candidates?

I think you are in for a bumpy ride with answers few and far between for several months.

OP

Original post by Say My Name10

I’m a private candidate! I don’t have any hope but any idea what’s gonna happen for all private candidates?

Details were fairly light in the message I'm afraid! We will try and find out what this means for private candidates as soon as possible.

They have longer to make sure they get this right this year, and they have an extra year of experience. Fingers crossed they can get it right!

Reply 16

jackmarshal757

19

Original post by Evil Homer

Hi everyone,

It has now been officially announced that due to the new school closures all exams will be cancelled in 2021.

The reason this decision has been made is that it is now believed that students will have simply missed far too much face to face teaching time for traditional examinations to be an equal and fair measure of students abilities.

This is all very new information, and the details on exactly what will replace these exams has yet to come out. The Prime Minister has said that the Education Sectary and Ofqual will now begin discussing next steps. TSR will continue to update as we find out more. If there is anything TSR can do right now to support you, please reach out and ask and we will do our best.

If you are struggling, we have put some mental health resources below for you:

TSR Covid-19 Mental Health Hub

Struggling with exams being cancelled? Read some advice here.

MIND - Mental health charity for all ages with help and advice
Young Minds - Mental health support for under 18 year olds
Student Minds - Mental health support for University students
BTEC student support (DM's)

This hasn’t actually been announced?

Reply 17

mnot

Universities Forum Helper

20

Original post by jackmarshal757

This hasn’t actually been announced?

Yes Boris just did a national address confirming this.

OP

Original post by jackmarshal757

This hasn’t actually been announced?

It was just in the announcement. Is there something specifically you don't think is correct?

Reply 19

username4914902

16

They haven't been cancelled. He said it's not fair for all exams to go on. He'll be speaking to Ofqual. It's not confirmed that every single exam is cancelled.

Official: A-level and GCSE 2021 exams replaced with teacher assessed grades

Do you think it was the right call to stop A-Level and GCSE exams going ahead as planned?

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