What we know so far around exams in 2021…
Exams are still taking place next year across the UK – but not all of them and not necessarily in the way we might have known them, with trimmed-down content and later start dates. Here is what we know so far:
England
As far as any announcements go so far, it’s ‘business as usual’ for England for the 2021 exam series. Exams are still going ahead but have been moved back by three weeks with the majority of subjects condensed into a 20 day examination window (7th June – 2nd July 2021) to allow for more teaching time, and with reduced content in some subjects. This would allow schools to catch up some of the time lost since the lockdown. The requirements for Non-Examined Assessment (NEA, commonly referred to as coursework), where applicable, have also changed for next year. See the Ofqual statement on Summer 2021 examinations here.
Wales
Wales’ GCSE, AS and A-level exams in summer 2021 are to be cancelled, with grades based on classroom assessments. Assessments will be done under teacher supervision and will begin in the second half of the spring term. They will be externally set and marked but delivered within the classroom. Teachers will have flexibility on when to take the assessments, within the “context of results timelines”.
Scotland
In Scotland, the GCSE-equivalent National 5 exams are cancelled and replaced by teacher assessments and coursework. Higher and Advanced Higher exams will just be delayed by two weeks. iGCSEs have not been affected.
It is important to note that the situation around exams can change but this information was true and correct at the time of publishing. We will aim to keep you informed of any subsequent changes as and when they are published.
