Assessment
The latest news and analysis on exams in the UK, including key dates, timetables, results and statistics for Sats, GCSEs and A levels
Tuesday
13th Aug 2024
Sharp drop in Higher history exam pass rate
This year, just two-thirds of students attained an A-C pass for Higher history – with the SQA blaming ‘a drop in performance’ in the exam
![No passing sign](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-08/History-Pass.jpg?itok=Or_uaRCv)
Cambridge International exams: 2024 results released
More than 630,000 students have received their international GCSE, O-level and AS- and A-level results after ‘biggest-ever exam series’
![Cambridge International exam results released](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-08/Cambridge%20International%20exam%20results.jpg?itok=tR46LD77)
A levels: Phillipson vows to reverse inequalities in education
Ahead of A-level results day, the education secretary has pledged to tackle disadvantage gaps that the head of Ofqual has branded a ‘scandal’
![Bridget Phillipson](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-08/Phillipson-gap.jpg?itok=KXuIltDm)
Monday
12th Aug 2024
Data shows decades-long retreat of languages from Scottish schools
Although Spanish bucks the overall trend, the number of students taking Highers in languages has been dropping for generations
![Data shows decades-long retreat of languages from Scottish schools](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-08/Languages%20Higher.jpg?itok=pQM-26qA)
Ofqual: Boosting student grades for RAAC not fair
Ofqual chief regulator says it would be ‘difficult’ to allow a special grade uplift for students in schools where the presence of collapse-prone concrete has disrupted learning
![Baukham RAAC exam upgrade](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-08/Baukham-RAAC.jpg?itok=cxdOXgzG)
How are GCSE and A-level exams marked?
Before results can be issued, exam papers must be marked. But how does that process work? Tes explains the steps behind the marking process
![How are GCSE and A-level exams marked](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2023-08/A-level-examiner.jpg?itok=KLBTuvLD)
Friday
9th Aug 2024
The importance of qualifications you can trust this results day
A stable examination system means that students can be confident their grades will hold their value for years to come, says Ofqual chief Sir Ian Bauckham
![Ofqual ian bauckham](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-08/Ian-Bauckham.jpg?itok=xb-CgUvC)
What do MATs do with their exam results data?
On GCSE and A-level results days multi-academy trusts receive a huge amount of data. Ellen Peirson-Hagger asks leaders how they approach analysing it to drive improvements for the year ahead
![Number crunching: How trusts analyse GCSE and A-level results data](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-08/GCSE%20A-level%20data%20analyse.jpg?itok=U3kw4_lB)
Thursday
8th Aug 2024
What are the most popular Higher courses in Scotland?
We show the 30 subjects with most entries at SQA Higher level in 2024, and how this list compares with 2019 – the last year before the Covid pandemic
![Like in a box](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-08/Popular-courses.jpg?itok=PltnaPfQ)
Multiplication tables check 2025: everything you need to know
All you need to know about the Year 4 times tables tests, including which questions are most likely to appear and the 2025 test dates
![Times table cards](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-08/Times-table.jpg?itok=bRxFGtuA)
A-level results day 2024: everything you need to know
A-level results day this year is on Thursday 15 August 2024. Here are all the essential details you need to be aware of
![gift box A-levels](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-01/A-level-exam-results.jpg?itok=fzVFG9WQ)
Phonics screening check 2025: all you need to know
This mandatory test is used to determine Year 1 pupils’ phonics skills. Here’s what you need to know, including the 2025 check dates
![Phonics cards](https://assets.tes.com/magazine-attachments/s3fs-public/styles/448x245/public/2024-08/Phonics%20check.jpg?itok=iGXAC1tH)