Ongoing support for learners studying made-for-Wales qualifications

Following the publication of this year’s AS and A level results, Qualifications Wales confirms the arrangements for those and other post-16 qualifications in the next academic year.

Following the publication of this year’s AS and A level results, Qualifications Wales confirms the arrangements for those and other post-16 qualifications in the next academic year.

In May, Qualifications Wales announced that advance information will be provided for made-for-Wales GCSE, AS and A level qualifications beginning in September. Any previous GCSE, AS and A level adaptations will no longer apply in the 2022/23 academic year.

WJEC released advance information for the autumn exam series to schools and colleges in Wales in June. Further advance information will be released for the January 2023 exam series during the autumn term, and for the summer 2023 exam series during the spring term.

Advance information is intended to support learners by giving an indication of the topics, themes, texts or other content that they can expect in their exams, with the main aim to support their preparation.

David Jones, Chair of Qualifications Wales said:

“We have already announced that there will be some help for learners in their final exam preparations through advance information about topics that will be covered, because we know the pandemic will have a long-term impact on learners. Therefore, we want to reflect this in the arrangements for next year.”

Most qualifications are delivered over two years, which means that some learners have already experienced disruption as they prepare for qualifications that will be completed in the 2022/23 academic year.

Advance information is not possible for the Skills Challenge Certificate (Welsh Baccalaureate), so many of the current adaptations for that qualification will continue into next year.

We also anticipate that advance information may be appropriate for some made-for-Wales vocational qualifications.

Although current adaptations will not continue into the next academic year, advance information will be provided to support learners. This step signals the next step on the Welsh qualification system's journey back to pre-pandemic assessment arrangements.