What is the AQA exam board?

AQA is one of the main examination boards in the UK and currently accounts for more than half of the GCSE and A-level qualifications that are taken and marked there each year.

There are several examination boards that are able to set and award qualifications, such as GCSEs and A levels, to pupils in state schools and colleges across the UK. 

All exam boards follow strict guidelines from Ofqual (the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) to regulate standards and ensure parity, but the layout, content and format of exams varies from board to board. 

Schools and colleges, therefore, have a choice of which exam board they will use for each subject, and must look carefully at each specification to decide which awarding body and qualification they will choose.

Decisions can be based on the number of papers, weightings of units and ratios of written exams to non-exam assessment, as well as specific content covered by the course.

Who owns AQA?

As AQA is an independent education charity, it is governed by a board of trustees who have responsibility for the overall strategy and direction of the organisation.

The day-to-day leadership and running of AQA is carried out by a team of eight executive members (led by CEO Toby Salt).

All revenue is reinvested back into the charity, funding educational research and supporting various charitable initiatives.

How long has AQA been around?

The name AQA officially came about in April 2000 as the result of a merger between the Associated Examining Board (formed in 1953 to provide the new General Certificate of Education qualification to all secondary schools) and the Northern Examinations and Assessment Board (NEAB), creating the largest exam board in England.

As an organisation, AQA has been around for nearly 20 years, but its predecessor boards are fundamentally linked to key changes in education and examinations across the past century.

What subjects does AQA cover?

AQA offers qualifications in around 60 different subjects, and within these subject areas there are a variety of specifications and qualification levels. The core subjects of maths, English and science are offered, as well as numerous languages, humanities subjects, ICT-related areas of study, and PE and arts-based subjects.

 AQA also offers Applied General and Level 1, 2 and 3 qualifications in a range of skills-based subject areas such as business, science, catering and general skills for work and life, as well as independent extended projects.

What is AQA’s appeals process?

As part of its post-results service, reviews of marking and appeals against marks and grades awarded can be raised if there are concerns surrounding the following:

Exam and non-examined assessment results
Appeals can be made once a review of marking/moderation has been requested and the outcome has been received.

An appeal of the original marking and review may then be made with a focus on either the procedures followed when arriving at judgments or whether or not the mark scheme has been applied fairly and accurately.

Malpractice decisions
Centres may appeal if they feel they have been unfairly awarded a malpractice penalty. 

Access arrangements and special consideration
Appeals may be raised if an application for special consideration or exams access has been declined or adjustments not agreed with.

A centre will usually submit an appeal on behalf of a candidate. The headteacher or principal of the school or college must formally approve the request and appeals have to be submitted within 30 days of a review outcome.  

If candidates or centres are still dissatisfied with a decision, they can apply for an appeal hearing, which will involve meeting with a panel and putting forward their case for appealing. 

Access to scripts
Marked original exam papers can be requested for use in schools for a fee (but only after the post-results deadline, so this service is separate from the appeals process).