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What are the differences between GCSE exam boards?
Why do exams boards differ?
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What are exam boards?
Which GCSE exam boards are best?
How are exam boards grading & assessment?
Apr 20, 2022 · Why do GCSE exam boards differ? As a student sitting your GCSEs, you may be wondering why there are different exam boards across your subjects. For some schools- even within the same subject- you might find that someone in a different class is with a different exam board to you!
- GCSE Exam Boards
- Aqa
- Edexcel
- Ocr
- GCSE Exam Boards Grade Boundaries
- GCSE Bords - Exam Approaches
- GCSE Exam Boards Summary
There are several GCSE UK exam boards (also known as awarding bodies) that are able to set and award qualifications, such as GCSEs and A levels, to pupils in state schools and colleges. All GCSE exam boards follow strict guidelines from Ofqual (the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) to regulate standards and ensure parity, but th...
AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) is one of the main examination boards in England and currently accounts for more than half of the GCSE and A-level qualifications taken and marked in the UK each year. AQA is a registered charity, independent of the government, and is managed by a board of trustees who have responsibility for the overall...
Edexcel – its name being a portmanteau of “education” and “excellence” – is one of the largest awarding bodies in the UK alongside AQA and is the qualification brand name for publishing and education company Pearson. Edexcel was originally formed in 1996, following the merger of the Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) and the Universit...
OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA) sets and assesses GCSEs, A levels and a wide range of vocational courses. It is one of the main examination boards used in the UK but is also part of Europe’s largest assessment agency, operating in more than 150 different countries. OCR was established in 1998 following the merger of UCLES (University of Cambridge L...
AQA: Pass (Grade 4) 2017 = 19.2% of marks 2016 = 53.4% of marks OCR: Pass (Grade 4) 2017 = 15.3% of marks 2016 = 30.5% of marks Edexcel: Pass (Grade 4) 2017 = 17% of marks 2016 = 35% of marks You can see that there is quite a difference in exam grade boundaries between the examination boards. Although one exam board’s pass markings may be lower tha...
AQA
AQA exams are best fit with people who are good at writing extended answer questions. They don’t have to be essays but structuring your answers in full sentences with linking words and paragraphs works in your favour for AQA exams. The most coursework is included within AQA as well, so there is less exam pressure on those who prefer writing essay outside of an exam situation.
Edexcel
Edexcel takes a very logical approach to the exam. Bullet pointing answers in a simple structure can allow you to gain all the marks very quickly and if you are somebody who learns well by answering exam style questions, then Edexcel is for you, as the website supplies stacks of past papers and exam questions for you to try, unlike AQA, who have recently started locking the papers away.
OCR Exam Board
OCR is the final board and is made for people who can answer evaluative questions on information provided. Unlike the other two, there aren’t as many facts to be learnt beforehand and instead, OCR tests candidates on their application of theories inside the exam. The board is perfect for people who find remembering facts difficult and prefer authoring critical essays, while it is much more difficult for people who find analysis hard.
These are the three biggest exam boards, so it's important for parents to know the differences between them. Schools will vary in what they offer, even subject to subject. Whatever exam board you choose, make sure you know the requirements and differences.
GCSE Exam Boards: Comparing Difficulty Is OCR or AQA harder? No exam board should be easier or harder than another. While they have different paper structures and question styles, Ofqual ensures each exam board is the same in terms of difficulty. So getting a grade 9 in AQA Maths should be the same challenge as a grade 9 with OCR.
Examination boards in the United Kingdom (sometimes called awarding bodies or awarding organisations) are the examination boards responsible for setting and awarding secondary education level qualifications, such as GCSEs, Standard Grades, A Levels, Highers and vocational qualifications, to students in the United Kingdom.
Jun 8, 2023 · In the UK, there are 5 different exam boards for GCSEs. 4 of these operate primarily in England, these are AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR and WJEC under its English brand, Eduqas. Then for Wales, the main exam board is WJEC on its own. The main exam board for Northern Ireland is CCEA.
Mar 4, 2024 · An exam board is an official organisation that is responsible for different qualifications. These exam boards also have to develop and deliver exams to students, meaning that it’s their responsibility to create, set and then organise the marking of the exams for these qualifications.
All three exam boards have their methods for grading and assessment. AQA and Edexcel use a combination of multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions, while OCR places a greater emphasis on problem-solving skills and critical thinking.
