Research library

1. The Effects on Schools and Pupils of Modularising GCSEs

   Authors: 

   Maggie Heinrich and Neil Stringer

   In 2009, a suite of revised GCSEs was introduced for first teaching. For the first time, all subjects were offered in modular specifications, where previously the majority were only offered linearly....

   modular, GCSE, examinations, resits, thematic analysis

2. Analysis of the trends in early entry at GCSE

   Authors: 

   Rachel Taylor

   The following paper aims to outline the trends in early entry to GCSE over recent years, drawing upon data available in the literature and reporting on an analysis of all awarding body data from 2007 to 2011....

   early entry, GCSE, mathematics, English, early certification

3. Is the English Baccalaureate the most appropriate academic core? Subject choice and attainment at GCSE and A-level

   Authors: 

   Stuart Cadwallader

   The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) was introduced to encourage the uptake of a set of academic subjects which the government believe will improve the prospects of young people from all backgrounds (Department for Education, 2010)....

   English Baccalaureate, GCSE, subject choice, A-level, regression analysis

4. Testing the validity of judgements about geography essays using the Adaptive Comparative Judgement method

   Authors: 

   Claire Whitehouse

   Adaptive comparative judgement (ACJ) is an alternative to marking that presents judges with pairs of students’ work and asks them to decide, holistically, which piece of work contains more of a specified trait or set of traits....

   adaptive comparative judgement, psychological validity, paired comparisons, shared criteria

5. Using modern test theory to maintain standards in public qualifications in England

   Authors: 

   Christopher Wheadon

   This paper describes how item response theory (IRT) methods of test-equating could be applied to the maintenance of public examination standards in England....

   item response theory, test equating, exam standards

6. Using adaptive comparative judgement to obtain a highly reliable rank order in summative assessment

   Authors: 

   Claire Whitehouse and Alastair Pollitt

   Adaptive Comparative Judgment (ACJ) offers an alternative to marking, especially for performance assessments for which achievement can be difficult to describe in mark schemes. The ACJ system uses a web-browser to deliver pairs of candidates’ work to judges....

   adaptive comparative judgement, summative assessment, judgements, examiners, ranking

7. Carry on examining: further investigation

   Authors: 

   Kate Tremain

   This paper follows on from work by Tremain (2011) and Meadows (2004) on examiner satisfaction and looks at the difference in intentions to continue examining between examiners with experiences of different marking media and modes of delivery of standardisation....

   examiners, standardisation, satisfaction, online marking, questionnaire

8. Assessment reform: students' and teachers' responses to the introduction of stretch and challenge at A-level

   Authors: 

   Anthony Daly, Jo-Anne Baird, Suzanne Chamberlain and Michelle Meadows

   This paper describes an exploration into a reform of the A-level qualification in England in 2008; namely, the introduction of the ‘stretch and challenge’ policy....

   A-level, stretch and challenge, policy, regulation, teachers, students, assessment design

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