Research and analysis

Investigating inter-board comparability of GCSEs

Using step functioning analysis and Rasch modelling to compare GCSE exam standards between exam boards.

• From: Ofqual
• Published: 25 November 2016

Applies to England

Documents

Using differential step functioning analysis and Rasch modelling to investigate inter-board comparability of examination standards in GCSE

Ref: Ofqual/16/6123

PDF, 2.68 MB, 54 pages

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Details

Data were analysed from 16 GCSE exams administered in 2015 by the 4 exam boards that provide general qualifications in England. We investigated the comparability of standards at specific grades in the exams between the exam boards.

The main findings include:

• higher grades were shown to be generally more comparable than the lower grades in terms of difficulty or standards between the exam board
• the relative grade difficulties were broadly consistent
• changes in grade outcomes after aligning standards were moderately or highly correlated with those estimated using the existing inter-board statistical screening procedure with mean GCSE score
• the use of Rasch ability as a performance measure with the existing inter-board screening procedure produced results which were closely similar to those obtained using mean GCSE score

Published 25 November 2016