A-level results 2020: Higher A* and A grades in NI

  • Today, thousands of pupils around Northern Ireland are receiving their A-level results, and they are the first to do so through CCEA’s new standardised process in response to coronavirus.

    Students’ data including coursework and mock exams were given to CCEA, which then standardised it “by using a range of additional evidence such as student prior attainment” in a statistical model analysed by experts.

    About 12% of students in NI take subjects through exam boards in England Wales, which are using similar systems.

    In Scotland however, teachers’ predicted grades for pupils alone will now be used to assign grades, following a major U-turn decision by the Scottish government on Tuesday.

    Originally, Scotland was also going to use a moderation system by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), but changed this method following a student outcry after 125,000 estimated results were downgraded.

    BBC News reported that NI’s Education Minister Peter Weir criticised Scotland’s decision, and said: "No system in itself will be perfect, that is why I think in terms of the appeals mechanism this year we have made changes to go beyond the normal situation of simply where there is a process issue."

    Justin Edwards, chief executive of the exams board, CCEA added that top grades at A-level would have risen in 2020 by at least 10% if data from schools alone had been used.

    He noted that the cancellation of exams due to Covid-19 has been a “challenging period” for NI’s students.

    RELATED: Pupils aren't engaging with remote learning as well as expected

    Overall results from across Northern Ireland, Wales and England show higher A* and A grades this year.

    37% of AS and A-level results awarded by CCEA were lower than those predicted by teachers in NI.

    In cases of erratic grading, CCEA stated in an e-mail to principals yesterday that it would "work through the anomalies as quickly as possible so that you can reassure students tomorrow that any queries regarding their results will be resolved as quickly as possible".

    Justin Edwards continued in a statement: “All of us at CCEA, working closely with the education community, have strived to ensure that students are able to progress this year. As a result of this collaborative work, we have delivered grades to students which we predict they would have achieved had they sat the examinations and which carry the same value as in previous years. 

    “Northern Ireland students have seen slight increases across grades, which are comparable with previous year on year performance for this particular year group. 

    “Mathematics remains the most popular A - level overall with 1 in 10 students studying the subject. 

    “The proportion of students taking STEM subjects has increased slightly and now accounts for almost 40% of A - level entries in Northern Ireland. Languages have also experienced a slight increase with Spanish being the most popular subject. 

    “The grades received by students this morning will enable them to progress to the next stage of their journey, be it in education or employment. We wish them all every success.”

    RELATED: Data shows lockdown deprivation causes domino distress on NI's children

    CCEA will operate a dedicated exams helpline for pupils on 028 9026 1260 from 13-26 August.

    About the author

    Niamh is a Sync NI writer with a previous background of working in FinTech and financial crime. She has a special interest in sports and emerging technologies. To connect with Niamh, feel free to send her an email or connect on Twitter.

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