So how will GCSEs 2023 Work? Here are the latest Government and Ofqual updates on how the 2023 GCSE will be conducted.
This 2023 GCSE content is directed at 2023 GCSE students. And interested parents!
Our guide to GCSEs 2023
In May 2022, the GCSE exams regulator announced new plans and adaptations for how it would be running 2023 GCSEs and 2033 A levels.
There were several key differences with GCSE 2022 and A-level exams 2022 which School Entrance Tests has summarised below:
No more 2022 GCSE content reduction or 2022 GCSE adaptations
Firstly, the Department for Education has confirmed key details of its plans for conducting 2033 GCSEs ans 2023A Levels.
As a quick recap let’s first remind ourselves of the current state of play with how 2022 GCSEs and 2022 A Levels content reduction and adapted GCSE conditions.
How were GCSE 2022 and A-level exams 2022 adapted ?
Several of the GCSE 2022 and A-level exams 2022 were adapted in some shape or form in spring and summer 2022. Such as the choice of topics offered. The following GCSEs were adapted in 2022: GCSE English literature, History GCSE and ancient history GCSE and GCSE geography 2022. Whereas, full GCSE subject content coverage has now been confirmed for these particular GCSEs which were adapted in 2022.
There were also GCSE Science adjustments made to practical and fieldwork requirements.
Ofqual is reviewing 2023 GCSE grading systems
The DfE 2023 GCSEaims to return as much as possible to 2023 GCSE results in line with previous years. Although that aim is dependent on the 2023 GCSE results which won’t be known until the end of the 2022 GCSE exam season.
Multiple paper 2023 GCSEs Exams may remain more spread out
The 2022 GCSE exam period was extended. By spreading out 2022 GCSE exams more than in previous GCSE years, the DfE asking Ofqal made the system fairer. At the time, the unequal impact of the pandemic and lockdowns during 2021 and 2022 was evened out with a ten day gap between GCSE papers. (For those 2022 GCSE subjects with more than one paper of course).
At the time, this was to reduce the chances of 2023 GCSE students missing multiple papers in the same subject because of getting Covid – and missing school. Or equally having a classroom pupil bring infected and then the whole class (in 2020/21) or close peers missing school (in 2021/2).
In fact, this 2022 GCSE exams change could remain in place next year, with the DfE asking Ofqual has been asked by the DfE to consult with GCSE exam boards on the increased spacing between GCSE subjects in the 2023 GCSE exam timetable. In particular on whether or not the spacing out of 2022 GCSEs should be retained for 2023 GCSEs.
