Understanding grading: toolkit for schools and colleges
Useful information on how qualifications are graded, produced with headteachers and teachers in mind but helpful for anyone with an interest in learning more.聽
Resources for explaining qualification grading
This grading toolkit is designed for headteachers and teachers to effectively explain how GCSE and A level qualifications are graded. These resources will also help parents, students, and anyone interested in understanding the examination and assessment process in England.
Headteachers and teachers play an important role in helping students and parents to understand how grading works, from exam marking to the setting of grade boundaries. But even if you understand, it can still be a hard process to explain to someone else.聽聽
Key topics covered in the grading toolkit
Our toolkit provides clear explanations and resources addressing common questions about:
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how exam papers are marked聽
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how grade boundaries are set聽
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how the quality of a student鈥檚 work in their exams determines the grade they get聽
Video resources
GCSE and A level grading explained
Our video guide provides a visual explanation of the entire grading process, including:
- what happens to papers after exams are taken聽
- how exam papers are marked to ensure they are fair聽 聽
- how grade boundaries are set聽
- why grade boundaries vary, while standards are maintained聽
Expert discussion on grading standards
We鈥檝e partnered with the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) to record , discussing marking, grading standards, and Ofqual鈥檚 role in maintaining qualification standards across England.
National reference test explained
For those interested in how we monitor standards over time, our video explains the importance of this annual assessment taken by a representative sample of Year 11 students across England.
Documents
Updates to this page
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Added links to 'GCSE 9 to 1 grade scale explained' and 'Message to headteachers: understanding GCSE, AS and A level grading'
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Added a video about the National Reference Test.
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Added 'How GCSE and A level grading works 鈥� teachers鈥� and headteachers鈥� guide' and 'GCSE and A level grading: what you need to know' to the collection page.
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First published.