Examinations

Examination changes for summer series 2024

2024 will see return to 'normal' grading

Normal grading arrangements will continue for GCSEs, AS and A Levels in 2024. Ofqual has confirmed that the two-year transition to pre-pandemic grading is now complete and expects national results in 2024 to be broadly similar to this year.

Given the different and exceptional approaches to grading during the pandemic, schools and colleges are warned against using grade boundaries from the autumn series of 2020 and 2021, as well as those from summer 2022, when providing indicative grades for students due to what Ofqual calls the "leniency" in grading on those occasions. Schools are advised to use past papers from the before 2019, and 2023 when considering standards. Students are also advised the same when using past papers for practice.

Ofqual adds that precise outcomes may vary a little in 2024, for example if the cohort of students taking a qualification is stronger or weaker than in previous years. As such, overall national results may change slightly year on year, just as they did before the pandemic.

Contingency dates

The awarding bodies have collectively agreed a contingency day for several years now which is always scheduled at the end of the GCSE, GCE AS and A level examination timetables.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, further resilience was needed within the exam timetables. A single contingency day was not felt to be sufficient if a national event or incident had a significant effect on the exam timetable. For example, summer exams could be affected by extremely high temperatures.

The designation of 'contingency days' within the common examination timetable is in the event of national or significant local disruption to examinations in the United Kingdom at the end of the examination timetable.

For June 2024, the awarding bodies have introduced two additional half-day contingency sessions. The dates are Thursday 6th June and Thursday 13th June 2024. When making plans for the summer please be aware of these dates and all candidates are encouraged to remain available until the final contingency day Wednesday 26th June 2024.

It has also been confirmed that results day will be on Thursday 22nd August for GCSE's.

General Examination Information

Examinations are a very important part of your time at Melbourn Village College. This section is designed to provide easy access to up-to-date information on examinations. A number of documents which provide important information on what to expect during examinations are available to download in the panel on the left of this page. Important documents covering the current JCQ rules and regulations can also be found below. These rules and regulations must be adhered to by all students taking examinations at MVC. The college provides an internal appeals procedure which is available on the left.

• Information for Candidates for Written Examinations
• Unauthorised Items regulations
• Warning to Candidates

A video produced in 2018 offering guidance for candidates is still relevant to those taking examinations this summer and we recommend that students watch it below.”

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