Research and analysis

GCSE maths: Final research report and regulatory summary

The outcome of 4 research studies looking at assessment difficulty and problem-solving in GCSE mathematics sample assessment materials.

• From: Ofqual
• Published: 21 May 2015

Applies to England

Documents

A Comparison of Expected Difficulty, Actual Difficulty and Assessment of Problem Solving across GCSE Maths Sample Assessment Materials

Ref: Ofqual/15/5679

PDF, 10.9 MB, 186 pages

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Regulatory Summary: GCSE Maths Sample Assessment Materials

Ref: Ofqual/15/5691

PDF, 719 KB, 10 pages

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Details

These documents contain research covering 4 complementary evaluations of exam boards’ sample assessments.

Concerns were expressed about differences in the difficulty of exam boards’ sample assessment materials and in their approach to the assessment of problem solving, following the accreditation of the reformed GCSE maths specifications.

We conducted a programme of research to evaluate whether the concerns were valid and the differences sufficient to undermine the teaching, learning and assessment of GCSE maths.

Based on the outcomes of this research exam boards are refining their sample exam papers now and we expect boards to publish new papers no later than 30 June 2015.

Published 21 May 2015