The 2026 National Reference Test: rising attainment in maths and what this means for grades

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: A levels and GCSEs, Exams, Grading, Marking, National Reference Test, Qualifications, Results
Young person sitting at a small desk using a pencil to write on a notepad, with a window behind them.

The 2026 National Reference Test results are out. They show a long-term trend of slightly improved attainment in GCSE maths, but not in English language. To ensure standards are maintained, we told exam boards to take the NRT results into account when setting some GCSE maths grade boundaries. Here we explain what that means.

GCSE, level 1 and 2 results 2026 at a glance: key trends and context for teachers

More than 5.7 million GCSE results have been issued to students in England today, along with more than 374,000 results for level 1 and 2 vocational and technical qualifications. This year’s GCSE results are stable overall in comparison with those in 2025. Small variations are normal from year to year and from subject to subject.

Talking to students about AI in coursework: why the conversation matters

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: A levels and GCSEs, Artificial intelligence, Coursework, Malpractice

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are now part of daily life for most young people. Students use them to brainstorm, research, summarise and write. However, AI should not be used to generate coursework without proper disclosure. This is cheating, and the consequences, which can include losing a qualification entirely, are serious.

Using AI in marking: why technical capability, fairness, and transparency all matter

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: A levels and GCSEs, Artificial intelligence, Exams, Marking, Results

Ofqual has published new research exploring artificial intelligence’s potential role in marking, as well as its current capabilities and constraints. Rather than providing definitive answers, the published working paper offers an overview of the topic, shares our current thinking, highlights …

What teachers need to know about our on-screen assessment proposals

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: A levels and GCSEs, Exams, On-screen assessment, Regulation
Students using computers

As teachers, you know better than anyone that GCSEs, AS and A levels are high-stakes qualifications that shape young people's futures. Every decision about how these exams are delivered must start with one question: is this fair for students? That's …

GCSE and level 1 and 2 results 2025 at a glance 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: A levels and GCSEs, Exams, Grading, Results, Vocational and technical qualifications
Students hugging each other after receiving exam results

More than 5.6 million GCSE results have been issued to students in England today, along with more than 368,000 results for level 1 and 2 vocational and technical qualifications taken alongside them.  These results enable young people to progress to …

GCSE English language and maths results from the November series

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: A levels and GCSEs, Exams, Grading, Results
A student at a desk writing on an exam paper.

Students who took GCSE English language and maths in England in the November exam series will be receiving their results today (9 January 2025). GCSE English language and maths are available every November, and entry is restricted to students aged …