Dear List Members,
Herewith another press release for your information, if required.
Kind regards,
Sandra Halsey
EBEA
-----Original Message-----
From: AQA [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 15 October 2002 07:58
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: For Immediate Release Press Statement - AQA Grades are Sound
Importance: High
AQA
Assessment and Qualifications Alliance
P R E S S S T A T E M E N T
Embargoed: 08.00 hrs on Tuesday 15 October 2002
AQA Grades are Sound
AQA believes that openness and transparency are essential parts of the
examination process. They are central to the ethos of AQA and form an
integral part of our entire operation.
It is therefore with some confidence that we have been able to say from the
outset of the Tomlinson Inquiry, that the grades set in this summer series
of examinations were sound and based on reliable evidence, as in every other
year. And at no time were we unduly influenced by any external pressure or
agency to act differently this year, when awarding grades.
AQA was asked to review two unit boundary decisions only, out of the 1008
which had been recommended by the chairs of examiners. We were pleased to
do so and are further pleased now to announce that our original decisions
have been upheld through the inquiry process.
Consequently, no regrading is required at AQA. The unit boundaries reviewed
were the A/B boundary in English Language and Literature (NTA5) and the E/U
boundary in French Oral (FR6T/V).
There was never any evidence to suggest that a downgrading policy, or any
other manipulative procedure, was being operated by AQA. The 53 adjustments
made by the accountable officer - out of the 1008 grade boundaries set -
demonstrate that the majority of these marginal changes (27) went to upgrade
candidates, rather than downgrade them. The average adjustment made was only
1.6 marks.
-end-
Notes to Editors
The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) is the largest of the new
Unitary Awarding Bodies in the UK.
AQA awarded more than three quarters of a million (752258) grades this
summer in AS and A-level examinations. There are no grade changes arising
from the review.
For further information please contact:
Helen Hallett
0161 958 3717 (office)
07850 210 364 (mobile)
www.aqa.org.uk (Web)
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