Assessment arrangements for 2022

On Friday 6 August 2021 the outcome of the Ofqual and Department for Education consultation on Arrangements for the assessment and awarding of Vocational and Technical Qualifications and Other General Qualifications in 2021 and 2022 was published.

All qualifications have now been moved into Category A, under the Vocational and technical qualifications contingency regulatory framework (VCRF). This means:

• exams and assessments can take place as normal
• qualifications may be adapted to mitigate any disruption to teaching, learning, and delivery of assessments caused by the pandemic
• Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs) are not permitted.

Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs) only remain available to learners who were due to take an assessment between 1 August 2020 and 31 August 2021. All evidence used towards a TAG must be dated on or before 31 August 2021.

Exams and assessments should go ahead, in line with published health and safety guidance. We have put in place general and qualification specific adaptations that can assist centres in delivering assessments safely and rigorously.

We have also developed a remote invigilation offer for some examinations.

We recognise that there may be significant impacts on teaching and learning for learners this year. Our permitted adaptations seek to redress this, by providing flexibility in the delivery of assessments.

The Department for Education (DfE) has published a document on Contingencies for 2021 to 2022: For vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs) and other general qualifications. It explains what will happen in the event where exams cannot take place due to COVID-19. This would include using teacher assessed grades (TAGs).

For Technicals, if it is decided that it is no longer viable for exams or assessments to go ahead, then results would be awarded using Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs).

For Functional Skills and ESOL Skills for life, adaptations remain available. If the decision is made by the DfE that it is no longer viable for exams and assessments to go ahead, it is their expectation that learners who are not able to safely access assessments in centres, or remotely, would be eligible for a TAG.

For occupational and competence-based qualifications, if exams and assessments cannot take place safely even with adaptations, then they will need to be delayed. 

Ofqual also has a page on their exam system contingency plan. This covers what schools, colleges and other centres should do if exams or other assessments are seriously disrupted. 

Please find our special considerations guidance in relation to Covid-19, below.

Download the guidance

Ofqual has stated that results days for GCSE, AS and A levels and VTQs will also be confirmed in the autumn term. This will affect the results days for our Technical qualifications and the Extended Project.

Other qualifications, like Functional Skills, with continue to be available on-demand.

There is an appeals process for results based on Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs) and the details are available on our  Appeals for 2021 page .

For adapted assessments and assessments taken as normal, centres should use the standard appeals documents, which are available on our dedicated page.

We have ensured that there is parity between the appeals process so that while they will address the differences in approach to determining learner results, neither process will advantage one candidate over another.

We will continue to provide as much support as we can through signposting you to our learning resources, and through our Technical Advisor support, networks and best practice events.

You can continue to access information on adaptations for each of our qualifications on their support pages. 

More information on qualifications only available in Wales or Northern Ireland can be found on our nations page.