Guidance

Latest updates from Ofqual

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

From:
Ofqual
Published
8 July 2021
Last updated
1115 DecemberJanuary 20252026 — See all updates

Applies to England

RegulatingOfqual on-screenstudent assessmentguide to exams and assessments in 2026

WeOfqual’s havestudent openedguide aprovides consultationinformation onabout proposalsarrangements for howqualifications on-screenand assessmentassessments shouldin be2026. regulatedIt inexplains GCSEs,what ASstudents need to know before, during and Aafter levelsexams inand England.assessments.

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Ofqual canguide findfor outschools moreand aboutcolleges the2026

This opportunities,guide benefits,explains risks,what schools, colleges and challengesother ofexam on-screenor assessment acentres seriescan ofexpect researchfrom reportsawarding publishedorganisations regulated by Ofqual.

OurOfqual blogand postthe providesarrangements informationfor qualifications in 2026. It covers qualifications typically taken in an academic year, in schools or colleges, and reported in the Department for teachersEducation’s aboutperformance ourtables, on-screenincluding assessmentGCSEs, proposals.AS and A levels, Technical Qualifications within a T Level and vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs).

OfqualPrinciples deliveryof reportAI 2025use in marking

OurWe 2025have deliverypublished reporta working paper coversexploring general,the vocationalprinciples and technical,implications andof apprenticeshipusing end-pointartificial assessmentsintelligence (AI) in high stakes marking, specifically within the context of qualifications regulated by Ofqual.

RulesOfqual in England. The research report emphasises the importance of assessment validity, transparency, fairness and accountability for GCSEmaintaining the integrity of qualifications and public confidence in Britishthem, Signwhile Language

considering the potential benefits and risks of AI use in marking.

WeAlongside it, we have published a blog offering a taster of the publicquestions feedbackwe’re andgrappling decisionswith foras we consider the Rulesfuture of AI in marking.

Regulating on-screen assessment

We have opened a consultation on proposals for GCSEhow qualificationson-screen assessment should be regulated in BritishGCSEs, SignAS Languageand consultation.A Welevels havein alsoEngland.

You providedcan subject-levelfind conditionsout more about the opportunities, benefits, risks, and requirementschallenges of on-screen assessment a series of research reports andpublished subject-levelby guidanceOfqual.

Our blog post provides information for GCSEteachers Britishabout Signour Language.on-screen assessment proposals.

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.

GCSEWhen andare levelthis 1year’s exams and 2assessments?

GCSE, resultsAS 2025and atA alevel glance

exam dates 

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ThisThe blogexam highlightstimetable somecontains keya factscontingency andday figureson from24 thisJune year’s2026. GCSEStudents andmust levelbe 1available andat 2this results.

Qualificationtime. resultsThis session would be used in England:the summerunlikely 2025

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VTQ exams and Aassessments 

Assessment levels,dates for vocational and technical qualifications included(VTQs) inand performanceT tablesLevels (appliedvary generals,depending techon levels,the technicalqualification, awardswith andassessments technicalthroughout certificates),the andyear. theDates technicalwill qualificationbe (TQ)available componentson ofawarding Torganisations’ Levelwebsites. qualifications.

Infographics:Your Levelschool 1/2or andcollege GCSEwill resultstell 2025

Weyou havewhen publishedyour infographicsexams summarisingor theassessments keyare trendsscheduled.

When fromis GCSEresults andday?

You levelwill 1receive andA 2level, vocationalAS and technicalT qualificationLevel results inon Thursday summer13 2025.August 2026. 

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If Nationalyou Referenceare Teststudying ina 2025

SinceLevel its3 introductionVTQ inand 2017,are Nationalplanning Foundationto foruse Educationalyour Researchresults hasto beenprogress contractedto byhigher Ofqualeducation, toyou develop,will deliverreceive andyour analyseresults theon resultsor ofbefore Thursday the13 NationalAugust Reference2026. 

You Testwill (NRT)receive inGCSE Englishresults andon Thursday maths.20 August 2026. 

TheIf NRTyou isare administeredstudying annuallya andLevel shows2 ifor studentLevel performance1/2 inVTQ English and mathsare atplanning GCSEto leveluse hasyour changedresults fromto year-to-year.

Findprogress moreto informationfurther ineducation, theyou Nationalwill Referencereceive Testyour in 2025 results digeston andor thebefore Thursday annual20 statement.August 2026. 

Level

Some 3VTQs are taken on-demand and results analysis:for 2025these keywill trendsbe andavailable contextat fordifferent teachers

Moretimes thanthroughout 850,000the Ayear. andYou AScan levelfind resultsthe havedate beenyou issuedwill toreceive studentsyour inqualification Englandresults today,on alongthe withwebsite justof overthe 250,000relevant resultsawarding fororganisation, vocationalor andyou technicalcan performance-tableask qualificationsyour takenschool alongsideor them.college.

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Ofqual moredelivery onreport the2025

Our 2025 contextdelivery report covers general, vocational and keytechnical, trendsand inapprenticeship ourend-point blogassessments postregulated by Ofqual.

Infographics:Qualification Levelresults 3in andEngland: Asummer level results 2025

WeOur havestatistical publishedrelease infographicsdetailing summarisingresults theissued keyin trendssummer 2025 inincludes Adata levelfor GCSEs, AS and LevelA 3levels, vocational and technical qualificationqualifications resultsincluded in summerperformance 2025.tables (applied generals, tech levels, technical awards and technical certificates), and the technical qualification (TQ) components of T Level qualifications.

Understanding grading: toolkit for schools and colleges

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

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.

Updates to this page

Published 8 July 2021
Last updated 1115 DecemberJanuary 20252026 + show all updates

  1. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  8. Added details of VTQ Information Hub 2024 to 2025

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

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

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

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

  14. 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.

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

  16. 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.

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

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

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

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

  21. Updated to remove information predating summer 2023 results.

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

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

  24. 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.

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

  26. 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.

  27. Updated to include guidance on industrial action

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

  29. 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.

  30. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  37. Added update: "Checking exam papers"

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

  39. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

  45. 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.

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

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

  48. 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.

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

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

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

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

  53. 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.

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

  55. First published.

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