GCSE Grade System Faces Dramatic Shake Up
Ofqual have revealed that in 2017 they plan to introduce a new 1-9 numbered grade system with 9 being equivalent to an A*. An A grade would be a level 7 and a C would be level 4. In a shocking twist, only half of the students currently receiving A*’s now would receive a level 9. Therefore, only 3% of the nation would receive an A* making it one of the hardest exam shake ups in history for the nation. These changes will all correlate with the tougher wave of GCSE exams which will also take place in 2017 starting with subjects: maths, English language and English literature.
Ofqual’s Glenys Stacey argues it will improve the “calibration” of exams. The level 4 pass mark would also equate to the results of the international Pisa tests which will aid international comparisons.
Arguably, these new drastic changes to the system would urge the focus to be on exams and syllabuses rather than the actual process of learning. Students are facing enough stress as it is with A-Levels which more or less determine whether they get into the university of their choice, the new GCSE’s will just add another layer of stress and panic. This new shake up will also make it unnecessarily harder for students to gain an A*. In my opinion, the system shouldn't change as GCSE’s are already difficult enough as students can sometimes end up doing fifteen exams in the space of two months!