The DfE has announced a rise in the proportion of A and A* grades awarded this year at A level, which were awarded via an algorithm adopted by Ofqual to replace exams cancelled in the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst the proportion of top A level grades has increased by 2.4% this year, many organisations are reporting that calculated results were much lower than those submitted to exam boards. Concerns have been raised by the Association of Colleges on behalf of some colleges who are asking for a review of the standardisation process used for A level results, and by the Sixth Form Colleges Association on the same issue. Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary, announced on 12 August a ‘triple lock’ system for students giving them three options. They could accept the grade given, appeal to receive a mock grade or sit autumn exams. This article addresses the concerns which have been raised about the A level results received, and by the options now put forward by the DfE. On 15 August Ofqual released guidance about the appeal system, but then deleted the advice just hours later saying further guidance would be released ‘in due course’. There are calls now to delay the release of GCSE results this week, which have used a similar algorithm to award grades.
An analysis of the 2020 A level results from the Education Policy Institute can be seen here.