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Guidance

Latest updates from Ofqual

Recent news and key messages from Ofqual on regulated qualifications, examinations and assessments.

Updates to this page

From:
Ofqual
Published:
8 July 2021
Last updated:
7 September 2026
Show all updates

  1. Added information about the Ofqual Teacher Hub.

  2. Added information related to GCSE and level 1 and 2 results 2026.

  3. Added information related to to A Level and level 3 results 2026.

  4. Added details of Ofqual's podcast, Can I Just Qualify That?

  5. Added details of Ofqual's qualification reform hub and updated entries on Ofqual's understanding grading resources and the consultation on using formulae and equation sheets in GCSE maths, physics and combined science exams.

  6. Added information about the following publications: Understanding grading: classroom and assembly resources and Regulatory framework for Apprenticeship Assessment - Conditions, requirements and guidance.

  7. Added the consultation 'Proposed changes to the assessment of mathematics, physics and combined science GCSEs' to the page.

  8. Information added about the Ofqual student guide to exams and assessments in 2026, Ofqual guide for schools and colleges 2026, our research into the use of AI in marking, and exam, assessment and results dates for 2026. Some older content removed.

  9. Added information about on-screen assessment publications and the 2025 delivery report.

  10. Added information about the VTQ information hub and rules for GCSE qualifications in British Sign Language.

  11. Updated the page to include links to publications related to GCSE and level 1 and 2 results day.

  12. Added links to the statistical release, infographics, press release and blog post published by Ofqual today,

  13. Title of the page has been updated. Details explaining grading and a consultation on the regulatory framework for apprenticeship assessment have been added.

  14. Added information about the publication 'Understanding grading: toolkit for schools and colleges'.

  15. Added details of VTQ Information Hub 2024 to 2025

  16. Added information about, and links to, the Ofqual Student Guide to Exams and Assessments in 2025 and the Ofqual guide for schools and colleges 2025. Also added details about exam, assessment and results scheduled for 2025.

  17. Updated to reflect the outcome of the consultation on provision of formulae and equation sheets for GCSE mathematics, physics and combined science exams in 2025, 2026 and 2027, and to remove references to the guides to the 2024 exam series.

  18. Added the proposed changes to the assessment of mathematics, physics and combined science GCSEs in 2025, 2026 and 2027 to the rolling update.

  19. Added information about GCSE results 2024, and Level 1, Level 1/2 and Level 2 qualification results for vocational and technical qualifications 2024.

  20. Added information about A level results 2024 and Level 3 vocational and technical qualifications 2024.

  21. Added GCSE 9–1 grades to uni places: What you need to know about 2024 exam results and Grading continues as normal this summer in England. Removed links to older articles.

  22. Updated with details of the removal of the technical qualification accreditation requirement.

  23. Added links to an Ofqual blog about the start of the summer 2024 exam series and a reminder about the risks of malpractice. Removed links to articles abouts summer 2023 results.

  24. Added a link to a letter from the chief regulator to schools and colleges about the summer 2024 assessment series.

  25. Added details of Ofqual's VTQ information hub 2023 to 2024: key dates and deadlines

  26. Information has been added about the 2024 guides for students and for schools and colleges.

  27. Section added pointing users to new information about arrangements for vocational and technical qualification results delivery from 2024 onwards.

  28. Updated to remove information predating summer 2023 results.

  29. New section highlighting publication of guides and infographics about summer 2023 GCSE and Level 1, Level 1/2 and Level 2 VTQ results.

  30. Information added about summer 2023 Level 3 results day.

  31. Updated to provide information on joint communications principles published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) and Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB). Removed section on review of Level 2 and Level 3 results delays, as this has been superseded by another update.

  32. Section added describing the new VTQ information hub for use by schools and colleges.

  33. Update added drawing attention to the publication of Ofqual's statement announcing new deadlines and other measures intended to ensure that awarding organisations issue complete and correct level 3 vocational and technical qualifications (VTQ) results to students in summer 2023.

  34. Updated to include guidance on industrial action

  35. Updated to include outcomes of consultations regarding MFL, formulae and equation sheets and resilience.

  36. Added information on 2023 grading and exam arrangements and updated information on 2022 Level 2 and Level 3 results. Removed information no longer immediately relevant to the rolling update including signposting to appeals information, guidance on producing accessible assessments.

  37. Information about the 2022 summer exam series has been removed as it is no longer relevant. Details about assessment arrangements for GCSE, A level and AS levels in 2023 have been added to the "Subject content and assessment arrangements: 2022 to 2023" section.

  38. Updated information regarding Level 3 BTEC and Cambridge Technicals results and Level 1/2 and Level 2 vocational and technical qualification results.

  39. Updated information regarding Level 1/2 and Level 2 vocational and technical qualification results & BTEC and Cambridge Technicals results.

  40. An updated statement on delayed BTEC and Cambridge Technicals results.

  41. Details regarding the delayed BTEC and Cambridge Technical results have been added, along with contact details for the relevant awarding organisations.

  42. Added information abour A level and GCSE results weeks in 2022.

  43. Removal of content related to exams and contingency arrangements, now that the 2022 exam summer series has been completed.

  44. Added update: "Checking exam papers"

  45. Added an advice note for students on fake exam papers offered on social media.

  46. Added information on plans for subject content and assessment arrangements next academic year, and on new guidance for awarding organisations on making their assessments accessible.

  47. Updated with additional information for teachers on collecting evidence for use in contingency arrangements.

  48. Added in links to this year's student guide to exams and assessments.

  49. Taking out information regarding the autumn series results days for GCSEs and A levels, which have now passed.

  50. Added information about the support measures available to students taking GCSEs, AS and A levels this year.

  51. Added information on special consideration for Applied Generals, Tech Awards, Tech Certs and Tech Levels in England.

  52. Update to the private candidate section which states that the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) has published a list of schools, colleges and other exam centres that will accept private candidate entries for GCSEs, AS and A levels in summer 2022.

  53. Updated reference to autumn GCSE exams, which have finished.

  54. Added information about January assessments for vocational and technical qualifications.

  55. Updated to include a link through to our guidance for schools, colleges and training providers on awarding vocational and technical qualifications in the academic year 2021 to 2022.

  56. Updated to include information on contingency measures should exams and assessments not go ahead in 2022.

  57. Removing guidance on submitting appeals for GCSEs and A levels as the appeal deadline has passed.

  58. Removed the table advising the dates of results days.

  59. Added note about legal advice being unnecessary when appealing qualification results.

  60. Added links to additional guides about appealing GCSE, AS and A level results and added information about consultations on arrangements for qualifications awarded in 2022.

  61. Added details of 2 consultations for how exams should take place for the next academic year (2021 to 2022).

  62. First published.

Applies to England

Ofqual Teacher Hub

The Ofqual Teacher Hub brings together information, guidance and resources to support teachers and other school and college staff as you prepare for and manage exams and assessments.

Find practical advice covering what to expect before, during and after exams, alongside clear explainers on how the qualifications system works.

The hub also features ready-to-use teaching resources to help you to prepare and advise students with confidence.

GCSE and level 1 and 2 results 2026

See GCSE, level 1 and 2 results 2026 at a glance on our blog post. It explains key trends and context for this year’s results.

Our statistical release shows figures relating to 2026 results in further detail.

National Reference Test 2026

Since its introduction in 2017, NFER has been contracted by Ofqual to develop, deliver and analyse the results of the National Reference Test (NRT) in English and maths.

The NRT is administered annually and shows if student performance in English and maths at GCSE level has changed from year-to-year. This year, more than 13,000 Year 11 students took part in the NRT. You can find more detail about the NRT results in our 2026 NRT annual statement and results digest and in our blog post.

A Level and level 3 results 2026

This year, results for many A Level and level 3 qualifications were issued on 13 August 2026.

Our statistical release shows figures relating to these results.

Our blog post contains key trends and context about 2026 A Level and level 3 results at a glance.

Ofqual’s new podcast - Can I Just Qualify That?

Can I Just Qualify That?  is Ofqual’s podcast for teachers, cutting through the noise on exams, qualifications and everything in between.

Hosts Jessica Lewis-Bell and Junaid Sheikh tackle the questions that matter to people working in schools and colleges. From AI in coursework and devices in the exam hall, to results day, qualification reform, how to explain marking and grading to students and more.

You can listen on YouTube or through your chosen podcast streaming service.

Understanding grading

We have created classroom and assembly resources to help teachers, headteachers and their senior leadership teams explain GCSE and A level marking and grading to their students.

Our Understanding grading toolkit is designed to explain how qualifications are graded. It has been produced with headteachers and teachers in mind but will help anyone with an interest in finding out more. 

The toolkit answers some common questions about such topics as: 

  • how exam papers are marked 
  • how grade boundaries are set 
  • how the quality of a student’s work in their exams determines the grade they get

Proposed changes to the assessment of mathematics, physics and combined science GCSEs

Following a consultation Ofqual will continue to require exam boards to provide students with formulae and equations sheets for GCSE mathematics, physics and combined science exams for the remaining lifetime of the current specifications. It is expected that will cover exams up to 2030 or 2031.

Ofqual’s qualification reform hub

The Department for Education has announced once-in-a-generation reforms to post-16 education.

Ofqual is working with government and the education sector to deliver the most significant changes to qualifications in a generation. We are ensuring that new and reformed qualifications are high quality, well-understood and fair, so every student gains qualifications that open doors to their future.

We’ve launched a qualification reform hub, which will be the home to all the latest updates on this process of change over the next few years.

VTQ information hub 2025 to 2026: key dates and deadlines

You can find information for Level 3, Level 1/2 and Level 2 vocational and technical qualifications used for progression and taken alongside or in place of A-levels and GCSEs on the VTQ information hub.

Replacement certificates

Ofqual does not hold copies of your certificates – we can’t tell you your grade or provide replacements. Certificates are held by the exam board you sat your qualification with. If you don’t know which exam board you took your qualification with, ask your school. If your school don’t know you will need to ask each exam board to do a search for you – they will charge you for this.

Contact your exam board to get a replacement certificate. If your exam board no longer exists, your certificates will have moved to an existing board. Find out who now holds your certificates.

Contact your exam board

Ofqual’s find a regulated awarding organisation service contains information and website links for all regulated awarding organisations.

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