Guidance

Description of the GCSE and A level marking process

An overview of how GCSEs and A levels are marked: focusing on how exam boards control the quality of marking of exams.

• From: Ofqual
• Published: 14 February 2014

Applies to England

Documents

Quality of Marking: Description of the Marking Process Used in External Exams in General Qualifications

Ref: Ofqual/14/5368

PDF, 323 KB, 17 pages

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Details

The main steps in the process are:

1. Recruiting and retaining examiners.
2. Training examiners.
3. Pre-standardisation and standardisation.
4. Checking traditionally marked scripts/papers.
5. Checking scripts marked on-screen.
6. Carrying out post-marking checks.

This guide doesn’t try to provide an exhaustive description of the marking process, nor identify every instance where practices vary between exam boards.

Published 14 February 2014