Research and analysis

Reviews of qualification standards

A series of research papers looking at how the standards of GCSE and A level qualifications has changed over time.

Applies to England, Northern Ireland and Wales

Documents

QCA's review of standards: description of the programme

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Art and design standards review: A level, 1978 to 1998

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Art and design standards review: GCSE and A level, 1998 to 2009

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Biology standards review: GCSE and A level, 1998 to 2003

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Biology standards review: A level, 2003 to 2008

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Biology standards review: GCSE, 2003 to 2008

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Biology A level: 5-year review of standards (2001)

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Chemistry standards review: GCSE and A level, 1998 to 2003

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Chemistry standards review: A level, 2003 to 2008

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Chemistry standards review: GCSE, 2003 to 2008

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Chemistry A level: 5-year review of standards (2001)

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Chemistry GCSE: 5-year review of standards (2001)

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Citizenship studies (short course): GCSE comparability study 2002 to 2006

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Classics A level: 5-year review of standards (2001)

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Computing and ICT standards review: A level, 1998 to 2004

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Critical thinking standards review: A level, 2010

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Design and technology standards review: A level, 1978 to 1998

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Design and technology standards review: GCSE and A level, 1998 to 2009

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Economic and business studies standards review: GCSE and A level, 1998 to 2003

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English standards review: GCSE, 1999 to 2002

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English standards review: GCSE, 2002 to 2005

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English standards review: GCSE, 2005 to 2009

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English literature standards review: A level, 2000 to 2005

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English literature standards review: A level, 2005 to 2009

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English literature A level: 5-year review of standards (2001)

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English literature standards review: GCSE, 1980 to 2000

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English literature standards review: GCSE, 2000 to 2007

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French standards review: A level, 1997 to 2004

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French A level: 5-year review of standards (2001)

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French standards review: GCSE, 1996 to 2001

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General studies standards review: A level, 1980 to 2000

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Geography standards review: A level, 1980 to 2000

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Geography standards review: A level, 2001 to 2010

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Geography standards review: GCSE, 1996 to 2001

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German standards review: A level, 1996 to 2000

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German GCSE: 5-year review of standards (2001)

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History GCSE: 5-year review of standards (2001)

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Mathematics standards review: GCSE and A level, 1998 to 2004

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Mathematics standards review: A level, 2004 to 2007

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Mathematics A level: 5-year review of standards (2001)

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Mathematics standards review: GCSE, 2004 to 2008

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Mathematics GCSE: 5-year review of standards (2001)

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Music standards review: GCSE and A level, 1985 to 2005

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Physics standards review: GCSE and A level, 1996 to 2002

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Physics standards review: GCSE and A level, 2001 to 2007

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Physics GCSE: 5-year review of standards (2001)

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Psychology A level: 5-year review of standards (2001)

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Science and additional science standards review: GCSE, summer 2009

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Science (double award) standards review: GCSE, 1995 to 2000

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Science (double award) standards review: GCSE, 2000 to 2005

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Sociology standards review: A level, 1999 to 2004

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Details

Ofqual undertakes a rolling programme of reviews across high profile GCSE and A level subjects to monitor whether standards in assessment and student performance have been maintained over time. These reports detail the findings for each of those reviews. It also includes reviews undertaken by Ofqual’s predecessor, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA).

Updates to this page

Published 22 March 2005

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