Examinations/Qualifications

UPDATE 30.04.20

Parents, carers, learners and staff are encouraged to give their views on the arrangements regarding external examinations this summer. If you would like to take part, please follow the link below. The survey is open until 5 p.m. on May 13th.



UPDATE 03.04.20

Grades A message to learners 03.04.2020-1.pdf

UPDATE 30.3.20

Examination/Qualifications

Qualification Wales statement 27 March 2020

Statement on summer 2020 approach to AS levels and Year 10 learners in Wales

Last week the decision was taken to close schools and cancel all of this summer’s exams. We explained how GCSEs and A level grades will be awarded. Today we can outline the way forward for learners who were due to sit their AS levels and Year 10 learners who would have taken unit assessments in Wales this summer. Next week we will update on other qualifications.

AS levels

In Wales, AS levels are not only stand-alone qualifications, but also contribute to A level qualifications - AS units are usually taken in Year 12 and A2 units in Year 13. Because of the contribution that AS outcomes make towards A level results, it has been important for us, Welsh Government and WJEC to take time to fully consider the implications for A level qualifications in summer 2021.

Following a detailed consideration of the options available and the advice that we provided, the Minister has today decided that learners who were due to sit their AS exams this year will not be required to take those exams at a later date. Instead they will be treated in a similar way to those taking GCSEs and A levels.

This year all AS learners will receive an AS grade and there will be no AS exams until summer 2021. The grade awarded will be based on a range of evidence, including teacher assessed grades, and will not contribute to A level results in 2021. In summer 2021, AS learners will have two options for their A level award. They can either choose to only sit the A2 units, with the A level grade based on their performance in those units, or they can choose to sit AS and A2 units. If they choose to sit the AS units alongside the A2 units they will be awarded the best grade from either route.

Year 10 learners

Year 10 learners who were due to sit exams that would have led to a whole GCSE qualification this summer will be issued a grade following the same process as Year 11 learners. Teacher assessed grades and other evidence will be used to calculate a Grade.

Year 10 learners who were due to sit units that will lead to GCSE results next summer, will not receive a unit result. For those learners, there will be two options. They can choose to sit only the units they plan to take in summer 2021, with their overall GCSE grade calculated on the basis of that performance only. Alternatively, they can choose to sit the Year 10 units in summer 2021, along with Year 11 units. Whichever option a learner chooses, they will be awarded the best grade from either route.

Further guidance

For GCSEs, AS, A levels and the Skills Challenge Certificate teacher assessed grades will be collected as part of the evidence for determining final qualification grades. Guidance on these teacher assessed grades will be issued to schools and colleges next week.

Further guidance on non-exam assessments, which would have been at various stages in their completion at the time when schools were closed, has already been issued by WJEC.

Qualifications other than GCSEs, AS and A levels and the Skills Challenge Certificate

We are working hard to confirm the position regarding other types of qualification taken by learners in Wales. For qualifications taken only by learners in Wales we are working closely with awarding bodies and stakeholders to make the right decisions for our learners and will provide an update next week.


For qualifications which are taken by learners across the UK, we are working with fellow UK regulators, awarding bodies and governments to ensure consistency and will share more details as soon as we can.

All of the decisions made are set within a context of unprecedented times for all of us. We know that you are looking for answers to many questions and we are working hard to develop the best solutions possible. Thank you for your patience – we will keep publishing information as it becomes available, so please keep checking our website.

Yours sincerely

Philip Baker

Chief Executive

Please watch the school website for more examination/qualifications updates.

UPDATE 27.3.20

Examination/Qualifications

“Centres should advise candidates that their NEA work or their controlled assessments will not be moderated by WJEC for the summer 2020 series” WJEC 26.3.20


This statement from WJEC means your coursework, orals and practicals (NEA non-examined assessment) will be marked by your school teacher but not sent to WJEC. You should continue to complete coursework at home as directed and supported by your teachers.


UPDATE 24.3.20

Examination/Qualifications


Latest information from Qualifications Wales:


Closing schools and cancelling exams is a drastic measure to protect public health. Although it’s undoubtedly the right decision, we know how hard it is for learners and professionals who have worked for those exams - and for the loved ones who are supporting them.


Now our job as the regulator is to find the fairest way forward, focusing on doing the right thing. At an already anxious time, people want answers and understandably so. Some we already have, and some we don’t have yet - but we will.


With centre closures, the initial focus has been on GCSEs and A levels taken in Year 11 and Year 13. This was because of the high number of learners taking these gateway qualifications across the country. For those studying for qualifications not featured in recent headlines - for example BTECs, other vocational qualifications and AS levels - the wait for clarity is bound to feel frustrating.


We don’t have all the answers yet, but we are working hard to find them, and we will communicate more as soon as we possibly can.


The priority is to get grades for everyone who needs them in 2020, both in general and vocational qualifications, to help people’s onwards progress in life.


Getting it right matters. Most vocational qualifications are offered across the UK, so we are working with fellow regulators, exam boards and governments across the UK to align consistently.


AS levels also need careful consideration, as do GCSE unit entries in Year 10. We recognise that there is a need for clarity on what’s going to happen for learners entered for these assessments.



By Philip Blaker, Chief Executive, Qualifications Wales

Examinations/Qualifications Update

Following our Examinations/Qualifications UPDATE 20.3.20 this morning, please see the announcement from Qualifications Wales. As a school we will continue to support students in this process to help them secure their 'fair grade'. Please watch for Examinations/Qualifications UPDATES on the school website as more information develops.

Examination arrangements

The announcement from Welsh Government regarding the suspension of all public examinations this summer was obviously unprecedented. The detail of how assessment will be carried out is still being discussed at Welsh Government level. We are expecting further information later today and will again share that with you. In the meantime, it is important to recognise that the message from Welsh Government stresses that a fair system will be put in place and that no student will be disadvantaged. We will provide whatever information is needed to ensure to help Dyffryn Taf's students.