Research and analysis

Reviews of marking and moderation: November GCSEs and projects

Number of reviews in England for GCSEs in November 2018 series and for project qualifications in June 2018, November 2018 and January 2019 series

• From: Ofqual
• Published: 17 October 2019

Applies to England

Documents

Reviews of marking and moderation in England for GCSE 2018 November series and project qualifications in June 2018, November 2018 and January 2019 series

Ref: Ofqual/19/6553

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 60 KB

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Details

Main trends

GCSE November 2018

1. 4,250 GCSE grades were challenged in the 2018 November series (3.9% of 108,080 certificates awarded), of which 685 resulted in grade changes (16.1% of grades challenged or 0.6% of all certificates). In November 2017, 3,725 grades were challenged (5.3% of 69,950 certificates awarded), of which 560 resulted in grade changes (15.0% of grades challenged or 0.8% of all certificates).

2. In November 2018, 2,790 grades were challenged for GCSE English language qualifications and 1,460 grades were challenged for GCSE mathematics qualifications. The most commonly challenged GCSE grade was grade 3 (90.2% of all grades challenged).

Project qualifications: June 2018, November 2018 and January 2019

1. There were 2,105 grades challenged for project qualifications in June 2018 (4.4% of 47,940 certificates awarded), of which 160 grades were changed (7.7% of grades challenged or 0.3% of all certificates).

2. There were 585 grades challenged for project qualifications in November 2018 (9.8% of 6,000 certificates awarded), of which 15 grades were changed (2.6% of grades challenged or 0.3% of all certificates).

3. There were 0 grades challenged for project qualifications in January 2019 (out of 2,790 certificates awarded).

Background information

Project qualifications are standalone qualifications at level 1 (broadly equivalent to GCSE grades 3 to 1), level 2 (broadly equivalent to GCSE grades 9 to 4) and level 3 (known as the Extended Project and broadly equivalent to AS/A level). Students complete a single piece of work on a topic which interests them, and, as well as being assessed on the final piece of work, they are also assessed on their planning, preparation, research and autonomous working. Projects are marked by centres and are subject to external moderation by awarding organisations. More information on project qualifications can be found in our conditions and requirements.

Project qualifications can be awarded in the June, November or January series. Figures for project qualifications in this report relate to reviews of moderation.

The November GCSE series is a smaller session than the summer series and so the figures reported here should be understood within that context. Currently, only GCSEs in English language and mathematics are awarded in the November series. Figures for November GCSEs relate to administrative error reviews or reviews of marking.

For related statistics and background information, see our release on Reviews of marking and moderation for GCSE, AS and A level: summer 2018 exam series.

Published 17 October 2019