Category: Exams

AI has made exams even more important

AI has made exams even more important

The advance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already causing headaches for teachers, with students able to utilise the tech to complete homework and assignments. While AI could bring astonishing benefits to society, we must be aware of the problems it can cause. I have long advocated the importance of tests and exams for students so…

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Exams results and why they should be graded differently

Exams results and why they should be graded differently

Despite the grumbling from certain quarters it is good to see school exam results return to pre-pandemic grading. These year groups have had it tough with reduced teaching due to the closure of schools during the pandemic and teacher strikes. Nevertheless, the grades had to return to 2019 levels at some point because otherwise, the…

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Making the grade

Making the grade

Teenagers who have taken A Level and GCSE exams will now be waiting nervously for their results. They have endured curtailed schooling through the lockdowns and more recently because of teacher strikes. But when they get their results what will they mean? The problem with exam grading pre-existed the Covid pandemic and in fact, can…

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Exam results more unreliable than ever

Exam results more unreliable than ever

The fall-out from the exams debacle during the pandemic lockdowns continues, with news that English students face stricter grading in their exams this year than students from devolved parts of the UK. Ofqual, England’s exam regulator, has decided to return to 2019 grading levels, but Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland’s regulators won’t. It means that…

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Scrap Blair not exams

Scrap Blair not exams

Tony Blair has a cheek by saying A Levels and GCSEs should be scrapped. He was responsible for eroding the standards in schools, so perhaps his latest foray into education policy is his plan to finish the job he began as Prime Minister? He should pipe down. The former PM wants exams replaced with assessments.…

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