Outcome of Ofqual’s consultation on assessment arrangements for GCSE Computer Science

Following a consultation at the end of 2017, Ofqual today confirmed non-exam assessment tasks will not count towards the grades of all new GCSE (9-1) Computer Science qualifications. 

This applies with immediate effect. Results will be issued in 2018 and in 2019 based on students’ performance in summer exams alone. 

Thanks to everyone who shared their views with us and helped to inform our consultation response; we appreciate there are some concerns about the changes, especially in relation to those students who have already completed their tasks. We are committed to supporting our schools and colleges through these changes so teachers and students can complete the GCSE and prepare for exams as effectively as possible. 

The essential changes are: 

• Students are still required to complete one ‘Programming’ task as part of the course but a number of the rules, such as no access to the internet, no longer apply. 
• Teachers submit a form confirming their students have been given 20 hours within the timetable to complete the task and the work is the students’ own. 
• The task is not formally marked but teachers will be asked to submit samples of student work for monitoring by 15 May. 
• In 2018 only, monitors will visit schools to check enough time has been spent on all the stages of a task. 

Here’s more information about what Ofqual’s decision means. We are now in the process of updating our specification and assessment guidance documents. In the longer term, we believe it is vital that GCSE Computer Science students have the opportunity to engage in authentic programming experiences. 

A summary of our consultation response is available.

Updated basedata to enable schools to make the entries for the summer 2018 exams is now available.