Ofqual has announced it will require adjustments to standards setting in A Level French, German and Spanish this summer.

After more than a year of public discussion and debate, the decision on MFL follows new research on the comparability of different subjects which suggests that awarding should take into account the fact that native language speakers take Modern Foreign Languages.

The regulator said that further changes to grade standards in other subjects may be considered if there is a “compelling case” consistent with its policy decision on inter-subject comparability.  However, Ofqual has decided that the challenges in measuring how subjects compare means that it will not try to take co-ordinated action to align grade standards across the full range of GCSE or A Level subjects.

Ofqual has already begun further comparability conversations with subject communities in relation to A Levels in physics, chemistry and biology.