New A levels and GCSEs
GCSEs and A levels will remain the cornerstone of the new system but they are being revised.
A levels
The changed A levels will reduce the assessment burden for candidates and present more opportunities for higher achievers to demonstrate their abilities. There will be an A* grade to identify and reward high achievers in the new A2 units.
Most A levels will be reduced from six to four units, except for:
- science and music – six units
- recently changed subjects, e.g. maths and applied A levels – six units
- the less common modern languages – two units.
A single unit of assessment will typically be worth 100 SMS marks, making a four-unit A level equal to 400 SMS marks.
Students will be sitting a mix of papers from both the previous and new specifications between 2008 and 2010.
GCSEs
Revised GCSEs will include features of the new secondary curriculum and may be followed by students as part of a Diploma.
- English, maths and ICT specifications may include functional skills.
- Coursework in many subjects will be replaced by controlled assessment under supervised conditions.
Students will be sitting a mix of papers from both the previous and new specifications between 2010 and 2012.
Timetable for changes
September 2008
- First teaching of revised AS units – with awards in August 2009.
- New GCSE specifications available, except science.
September 2009
- First teaching of revised A2 units – with awards in August 2010.
- First teaching of new GCSE specifications, except English, English literature, maths and ICT.
- New GCSE specifications available for English, English literature, maths and ICT available.
January 2010
- Last retakes of the previous A2 specifications.
September 2010
- First teaching of new GCSE English, English literature, maths and ICT specs.
August 2011
- First awards for all GCSE specs except English, English literature, maths and ICT.
August 2012
- First awards in GCSE English, English literature, maths and ICT specs.