In most cases, students will use the grades they receive in the summer to move onto their next step. We recognise, however, that some students may be unhappy with their summer grade or they may need an improved result to move onto the next stage of their education. There will also be a small group of students for whom there was not enough evidence for a grade to be awarded in the summer, and it is particularly important that these students are able to sit exams in autumn 2020. To support these students, we are running an additional series of exams in the autumn. AS and A level exams will take place in October and GCSE exams in November, and will be available in all GCSE, AS and A level subjects. Results will be based on students’ performance in exams alone and not on any non-exam assessment, with the exception of art and design qualifications. The deadlines for entering autumn exams are 4 September for A and AS levels, and 18 September for GCSEs (except English and maths, for which the deadline is 4 October). Results dates will be:
17 December – release of AS and A level results to candidates
14 January 2021 – release of GCSE English Language and Mathematics results to candidates
11 February 2021 – release of all other GCSE results to candidates
The Department for Education has also published guidance on centre responsibility for autumn GCSE, AS and A level exam series, which makes clear that we expect the exam centre that had entered the students for exams in the summer to enter them in the autumn if they wish to sit exams, even if the student is no longer enrolled at that centre. The guidance also explains what support schools and colleges can receive for holding additional exams. Students will also have the option to take their exams in summer 2021, in line with usual practice.