GovWire

BTEC and Cambridge Technicals results

We have every sympathy with students still awaiting results for BTEC and Cambridge Technicals that they were expecting to receive alongside A levels.

Our immediate priority is to make sure that Pearson and OCR get results to students promptly, so they can progress. We are monitoring the situation closely and have asked Pearson and OCR to give us regular updates so that we can be confident that they are swiftly issuing results. Both are processing and issuing results daily. We have asked them to share their updated data publicly in the interest of transparency.

We continue to liaise, on a daily basis, with school and college associations and met this afternoon with college leaders. We have also engaged with the representatives of exams officers.

Our first priority is those students expecting results this year. But it is important that we review what has happened to make sure that students in future years receive results when they expect them, so they can progress in their education, apprenticeship or employment.

We will continue to work across the sector, in addition to using our regulatory relationship with awarding organisations, to this end.

Vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs), which include BTECs and Cambridge Technicals, come in different shapes and sizes. They are flexible by design, so students can sit individual modules when they are ready, and they can get their results at different times of the year when they have completed the required number of units. These flexibilities are valued by students, employers and schools and colleges. This does mean awards are more complex, and particularly so this year, due to the arrangements put in place to mitigate the effects of the pandemic. This does not, of course, excuse delays where students were expecting to receive results.

For updates and help with BTEC, contact Pearson on 0345 618 0440 or via @PearsonBTEC on social media.

For updates and help with Cambridge Technicals, visit the Cambridge Technicals update website or contact support@ocr.org.uk.

Ofquals helpdesk opening hours are below.

Exam results 2022

Once youve received your results you might be looking for some guidance about what to do next. The Exam Results Helpline from the National Careers Service can talk to you about resits, qualification and subject choices, apprenticeship and careers advice, and gap years.

For any questions you have about university admissions or higher education courses, you should contact the university or college directly. You can also contact UCAS for more information.

Unhappy with your results

If youre not happy with your results in some subjects, you have the options to appeal your results or retake your exams in those subjects. Your school or college will be able to tell you about the process for both of these.

Ofqual helpdesk opening hours

Our phone lines are open longer on some days during results weeks, and at the weekends.

Anxiety and mental health support

We understand that this has been a difficult time for students and you have shown great resilience in the face of the challenges presented by the pandemic. Always make sure you speak to somebody if you are feeling anxious or struggling with your mental health. This might be a parent, carer or someone else you trust.

You can also contact:

• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
• Mind
• Young Minds
• NHS 111 they can assist in providing the mental health support you may need

Subject content and assessment arrangements: 2022 to 2023

Ofqual and the Department for Education have confirmed the arrangements for subject content in GCSEs, AS and A levels and non-exam assessment in qualifications taking place in the academic year 2022 to 2023.

New guidance for exam boards on producing accessible assessments

Ofqual has published new guidance for exam boards and awarding organisations on making assessments accessible for students.

The guidance supports awarding organisations to design and develop assessments to meet rules on accessibility.?It explains that, in their exams and assessments, awarding organisations should:

• use accessible and appropriate language??
• use clear and consistent layout?
• use source material, context, images and colour in ways that do not disadvantage students?
• consider how Reasonable Adjustments could be made to the exam or assessment to make sure disabled students are not disadvantaged

Guide to exams and assessments in 2022

We have published a guide for students on how GCSEs, A levels, vocational and technical qualifications are graded and awarded this year.

The guide explains what is in place to support you in taking exams and assessments, and provides other information about this years arrangements. It is for students taking any of these qualifications:

• GCSEs
• AS or A levels
• other general qualifications, including International Baccalaureate, core mathematics and Pre-U
• vocational and technical qualifications, including T Levels
• a combination of these qualifications

Extra support for summer 2022 GCSEs, AS and A levels

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