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England's Endless Exam Treadmill
20 Aug
Summary
- Leading union criticizes persistent GCSE resit cycle.
- Nearly a quarter of maths/English GCSEs taken by older students.
- New Level 1 qualification to launch in 2028.
The ongoing cycle of students in England failing and retaking GCSE maths and English exams is ineffective, according to the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL). A significant portion of students do not achieve passing grades, and many face repeated failure upon resitting.
Recent data revealed that almost 25% of GCSE maths and English exams in England were taken by individuals aged 17 and older. These are predominantly young people who previously did not pass the subjects. This situation has led the government to propose an end to "unnecessary resits."
From 2028, a new qualification at Level 1, one level below GCSEs, will be introduced for students who do not secure a pass in GCSE maths or English. This initiative aims to provide an alternative pathway, as many courses and jobs currently require these specific GCSE passes. The ASCL suggests the current "fail-resit" loop hinders educational and career prospects, potentially contributing to a rise in young people not in education, employment, or training.
Pass rates for older students retaking these exams are notably lower than those taken by 16-year-olds for the first time. This trend has a downward effect on overall GCSE grades across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
