Ofqual has decided against adjusting grading standards in A-level science and languages to make them more lenient, after it judged there was not a “compelling case” to do so.

The exams watchdog said there was “not a uniformly compelling case to adjust grading standards” in physics, chemistry, biology, French, German and Spanish.

However, it acknowledged that the “perceived grading severity” in these subjects “undermines confidence”, and said it would work with exam boards to make sure they “do not become statistically more severely graded in the future”.

To achieve this, the regulator is proposing a new lock to stop the subjects being graded more harshly over time.

Ofqual has been looking at “inter-subject comparability” - whether some subjects are harder than others and, if so, whether a better alignment should be achieved - since 2015.

Last year it ruled out trying to align grade standards across the full range of GCSE and A-level subjects because it said it would be too challenging.

However, a small adjustment was made to French, German and Spanish A levels in 2017 to account for the impact of native speakers, and the watchdog has been looking at whether further changes are needed for A-level science and languages - subjects that are often seen as more severely graded.

Fewer students studying languages at A level

Announcing its findings today, Ofqual said: “After analysing an extensive base of statistical evidence and contextual data, and having considered a wide range of other evidence, including detailed representations from the subject communities, we have concluded that there is not a uniformly compelling case to adjust grading standards in these subjects.”

But it added: “We recognise stakeholders have concerns about the impact that the perception of grading severity may be having on take-up of these subjects; and, in particular, acknowledge their concerns over the falling numbers studying modern foreign languages.

“Although we did not conclude that changing grading standards for the qualifications is justified, we will consider with exam boards how we should act to avoid the potential for these subjects to become statistically more difficult in the future.”

So Ofqual is proposing a change to its comparable outcomes grading system for these subjects, which would stop them from being more harshly graded in future years.

Exam boards are currently able to adjust slightly their A-level grade standards (within a 1, 2 or 3 per cent “tolerance” depending on the size of the subject entry) from boundaries predicted by Ofqual based on the prior attainment of the cohort at GCSE.

Under Ofqual’s suggested changes for A-level science and languages, boards would normally only be able to adjust these boundaries “one way” - to make them more lenient.

The change is outlined in a decision document published by Ofqual.

“We will consult with the exam boards on using a one-sided reporting tolerance when comparing outcomes against predictions at the A/B and A*/A grade boundaries in these qualifications,” the document states.

“This would mean that exam boards could award slightly above prediction, but that they would need to provide additional evidence if they wished to award below prediction (or above prediction beyond the reporting tolerance threshold).

“This should address the perceived risk by some stakeholders within the subject communities for science and modern foreign languages that grading standards might become marginally more severe in statistical terms.”

Ofqual is now set to look at the evidence for making an adjustment to grading standards in GCSE French, German and Spanish.