Independent report

Options for setting the grade 9 boundary in GCSEs

Research commissioned by Ofqual on the impact on different types of schools of different approaches to the award of grade 9 in new GCSEs.

• From: Ofqual
• Published: 22 April 2016

Applies to England

Documents

Executive summary: Options for setting the grade 9 boundary

Ref: Ofqual/16/5941

PDF, 32.8 KB, 2 pages

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Options for setting the grade 9 boundary

Ref: Ofqual/16/5940

PDF, 2.39 MB, 15 pages

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Details

We commissioned research from Education Datalab to consider the likely impact on different types of schools of different approaches to the award of grade 9 in new GCSEs.

Three approaches to the award of grade 9 were modelled:

1. 20% approach: the grade 9 boundary in each subject is set so that the top 20% of students awarded at least a grade 7 is awarded a grade 9.
2. Tailored approach: the grade 9 boundary is set so that over all subjects, 20% of students awarded at least a grade 7 are awarded a grade 9 but the exact percentage varies by subject. It is higher in those subjects with a higher proportion of students awarded at least a grade 7 and lower in those subjects with a lower proportion of students awarded at least a grade 7.
3. 50% approach: the grade 9 boundary in each subject is set so that the top 50% of students currently awarded a grade A* is awarded a grade 9.

The analysis was based on a dataset comprising the exam results for students aged 15 to 16 years in summer 2014 in state-funded and independent schools.

Published 22 April 2016