Pupils to receive A-level results this week

A-level grades for summer 2020 will be calculated using a range of evidence and a “statistical standardised model”.

This could include:

• Marks from work completed to date, including AS results
• Assessment grades from previous A-level work completed at school or college

Assessment grades will be provided by teachers and are based on what the student was expected to achieve had they sat the exams.

Qualifications Wales emphasises that it should be based on “professional judgement” and should not be based on a single piece of evidence like mock exams.

The model then calculates grades that are broadly similar to grades awarded in previous years.

The model will follow two main steps:

• Step one: WJEC will calculate a set of grades for each school or college.
• Step two: WJEC will allocate the set of grades from the school or college to individual pupils using the rank order provided by teachers.

A school or college’s previous attainment and historical data will be used to determine its grade.

The first point of contact for students who aren’t happy with their A-level results is their school or college.

Schools and colleges can appeal to the WJEC on behalf of their students.

Qualifications Wales has said that the grounds for appeal include the school/college using the wrong data when calculating a grade, if calculated grades by the statistical standardised model are incorrectly allocated, or if there was some other procedural failing on the part of WJEC.

Due to social distancing measures, most students will receive their results via email, although a number of centres, including Coleg Gwent, said that a select few would be invited to receive their results in person.

Although AS students will receive a grade, this will not count towards the A-level result in 2021.

Students will have two options for the next academic year.

A2 students for September could have their AS-level results based on their A2 grades they achieve in 2021. This is something that is already done in Wales if a student is unable to take an exam due to illness.

Alternatively, students would have the option to take AS and A2 exams at the same time. In such a case, the marks will be awarded the normal way.

However, Qualifications Wales said: “If a learner chooses to take AS and A2 units together, then a comparison will be made with the grade they would have been awarded via the other route and the best grade will be awarded.”