Assessment

The latest news and analysis on exams in the UK, including key dates, timetables, results and statistics for Sats, GCSEs and A levels

Yesterday

10th Mar 2026

Cambridge extends coursework deadline over Middle East war
Conflict in the Middle East causes another international provider of assessments to shift its submission dates because of disruption to students’ learning
Cambridge International has extended its coursework deadline because of the war in the Middle East
Allegations of cheating in primary tests up by a fifth in 2 years
Number of investigations into ‘maladministration’ reaches highest level since Covid, despite the Reception baseline assessment no longer being monitored
End of KS2 exams

Monday

9th Mar 2026

IB extends coursework deadline due to Middle East conflict
International Baccalaureate says it is seeking to ‘minimise disruption’ for schools affected by war in the Middle East
International Baccalaureate has extended its coursework deadline due to the conflict in the Middle East

Friday

6th Mar 2026

On-screen exams could widen disadvantage gap, EEF warns
Education Endowment Foundation says the introduction of digital assessment must not have a ‘detrimental impact’ on disadvantaged students, in its response to Ofqual consultation
On-screen assessments

Thursday

5th Mar 2026

Hannah Fry: Maths GCSE should be split into two qualifications
Leading mathematician warns that the current maths qualification is trying to do ‘too much at once’ and risks leaving students behind
Hannah Fry: Maths GCSE should be split into two qualifications

Tuesday

3rd Mar 2026

Ofqual calls for tougher action on phones and AI cheating
Exams watchdog writes to biggest UK exam boards, warning of rising numbers of students breaking rules
On-screen assessment

Monday

2nd Mar 2026

No need for GCSE students to memorise equations until 2030
Minister tells Ofqual to continue giving equation and formula sheets to science and maths candidates until GCSEs are reformed
Illustraion of network in head
Ofqual warned of ‘moving too slowly’ on digital assessments
England’s largest exam board says the ‘cautious’ rollout of on-screen assessments proposed by the regulator could ‘hinder progress’
Digital exams

Friday

27th Feb 2026

Schools White Paper: when will the plans be delivered?
Tes sets out the timeline for key reforms included in this week’s schools White Paper and associated plans to overhaul the SEND system
Schools White Paper: Target dates for implementation

Thursday

12th Feb 2026

A-level disadvantage gap narrows slightly
DfE’s 16-18 performance data shows how the attainment gap between disadvantaged students and their peers has changed in recent years, as well as other key trends
Exams

Thursday

5th Feb 2026

Nearly a fifth of KS4 students recorded with SEND
The latest key stage 4 data shows that the proportion of students with SEND has been rising since before Covid, but also that the gender gap in KS4 results has narrowed
The DfE has released the latest end of key stage 4 performance data

Monday

2nd Feb 2026

Qualifications Scotland takes over from SQA on ‘momentous’ day
Scotland’s new national qualifications body promises a bigger role for teachers and school leaders and will review ‘all the qualifications we have in our portfolio’
Nick Page SQA chief