Ofqual Student Guide 2023
This guide provides you with information about 2023’s arrangements for qualifications regulated by Ofqual. It also explains what support is in place when taking or retaking exams and assessments.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
This guide is for students who took any of the following qualifications in summer 2023 or GCSE exams in November 2023 and are expecting results in January 2024:
- GCSEs
- AS or A levels
- other general qualifications, including International Baccalaureate, core mathematics and Pre-U
- Technical Qualification (part of a T Level)
- BTEC, Cambridge Technicals and other vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs) taken alongside GCSEs and A levels
In this guide, we refer to schools and colleges as a collective term for all schools, colleges and other exam centres.
Some students won’t be studying at a school or college and will be private candidates. They are often home educated or are re-taking a qualification after leaving school or college. They may be studying with a distance learning provider, tutor, parent, or without any support. Private candidates will need to register at a school, college or other exam centre to sit their exams. More information on how to do this can be found in this guide. We make clear in this guide where information only applies to a certain type of qualification. If you are not sure exactly which qualifications you are taking, check with your school or college.
This guide talks about awarding organisations and exam boards. All organisations that offer qualifications regulated by Ofqual are called awarding organisations. The 4 awarding organisations that offer GCSEs, AS and A levels in England are also called exam boards.
This guide refers to exams officers. An exams officer is the person in a school or college that organises exams. An exams officer’s duties will vary by school or college. Check with your school or college who your exams officer is and how to contact them.
Updates to this page
Published 21 March 2023Last updated 20 November 2023 + show all updates
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For those taking GCSEs in November 2023, this guide will support reviews of marking or appeals for those qualifications following the release of results in January 2024.
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Correction of factual error: deadline for priority reviews of marking changed from 7 September to 6 September.
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A slide presentation about the guide has been added to the page. This is intended for teachers to share with students in school or college assemblies and other meetings.
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First published.