Friday 24 February 2012

English GCSE examinations to be made tougher

GCSEs in four key subjects are to be made tougher.

Exams watchdog Ofqual wants changes to English literature, maths, history and geography GCSEs to ensure students cover the full breadth of the subjects.  Education Secretary Michael Gove has suggested some GCSEs can be passed with too narrow a grasp of the subject.

This change comes in the wake of the Daily Telegraph’s <a href=”http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/secondaryeducation/8940781/Exam-boards-how-examiners-tip-off-teachers-to-help-students-pass.html” title=”Daily Telegraph exam board” target=”_blank”>expose</a> of sharp practice in examination board’s promotion of their qualifications.

It is also set against the backdrop of exam grade <a href=”http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/aug/25/gcses-beginning-end-grade-inflation” title=”Exam grade inflation” target=”_blank”>inflation</a> over the past twenty years with a greater number of pupils achieving the highest grades.