Official Statistics

Perceptions of A levels, GCSEs and other qualifications: wave 18

Results of an annual survey of heads of schools, teachers, general public, parents, students, employers and higher education institutions in England.

Applies to England

Documents

Perceptions Survey Wave 18 - Report

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Perceptions Survey Wave 18 - Background Information

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Perceptions Survey Wave 18 - Data tables

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Details

Please note that the responses presented in this report do not relate to the exceptional arrangements being put in place this year in response to coronavirus (COVID-19). They refer only to the normal arrangements in place in 2019.

Overall confidence in GCSE, AS/A level and Applied General qualifications

  • There was an increase in overall composite confidence in GCSEs and Applied General qualifications between waves 17 and 18. Overall confidence in AS/A levels remained consistent.
  • Overall composite confidence was highest for AS/A level qualifications, followed by GCSEs and Applied General qualifications, in that order.
  • Among employers, there was an increase in confidence in both GCSEs and AS/A levels between waves 17 and 18. Meanwhile, for parents there was an increase in confidence in AS/A levels and Applied General qualifications.
  • Among head teachers, composite confidence in AS/A levels decreased compared with wave 17.

Further analysis is available in the main report for:

  • composite confidence measure
  • perceptions of GCSEs
  • perceptions of AS/A levels
  • perceptions of Applied General qualifications
  • GCSE 9 to 1 grading scale
  • the review of marking, moderation and appeals against results for GCSE and AS/A levels
  • special consideration and reasonable adjustments for GCSE, AS and A levels
  • malpractice for GCSE, AS and A levels
  • appeals against results for Applied General qualifications
  • malpractice for Applied General qualifications
  • innovations

Updates to this page

Published 1 July 2020

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