Welcome to AQi
Bringing together research, insight and ideas on assessment, qualifications and curriculum
Stepping Stone: the future of the EBacc and student progression
Over a decade since its inception, AQi explores whether the EBacc curriculum is the right stepping stone to post-16 study and training for pupils in England.Read now
The Birth of GCSEs: Four decades on, what were the reasons for GCSEs?
With the exam season nearing its end, Andrew Taylor, AQA’s Head of Mathematics, outlines the reasons why GCSEs were created.
Making the grades – How does an exam turn into a qualification?
AQi considers how exam boards make sure that grades reflect the hard work and effort put in by students.
2019: Proportion of students achieving a Level 2 qualification in English and Maths by 19
The disadvantage gap is consistent with 2017 and 2018 findings.
2018: Proportion of students achieving a Level 2 qualification in English and Maths by 19
In only one LEA are disadvantaged students more likely to meet the benchmark than their more affluent peers.
2017: Proportion of students achieving a Level 2 qualification in English and Maths by 19
On average, advantaged pupils were 55% more likely to pass both qualifications.
What was education like when the Queen ascended to the throne in 1952?
For Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, AQA looks back on what education and exams were like in 1952.
OECD 2017-2019: Qualifications and Employment
How does highest qualification level affect patterns in part-time, full-time and unemployment?
Journey of a script – What happens after students put their pens down?
What happens after an exam is finished? AQi explains how they are turned into grades, in a matter of weeks.
Making up an exam: How does a question paper get made?
With this year’s exam season kicking off, AQi explores the processes that help create the final exam papers that end up on students’ desks.
Computer science and on-screen assessment: Lessons for policymakers
Evaluating the barriers and benefits to on-screen assessment among AQA A-level Computer Science teachers.
International Approaches
We can gain new ideas from the way other countries are developing their approaches education and assessment. We should be open to new concepts from outside and within.
A National Baccalaureate for England?
AQi looks at the National Baccalaureate Trust's recent proposals for introducing a national baccalaureate in England.
Bacc again: A policy briefing on baccalaureate curriculum models
What could a baccalaureate look like in England? AQi explores some of the options.
Singapore: where is the poster child of global education heading now?
We look beyond the international league tables
Finland: Educating the whole child
Making equality of opportunity the defining objective of a nation's educational strategy
Levelling Up
On-screen Assessment in England’s Exam System
Exploring what on-screen assessment could mean for GCSE and A-Level students in England.
Careers advice: Why is it important and how to improve it?
AQi looks at a recent report on careers advice in England and explores the challenges and opportunities for helping students find their right track.
The role of assessment in meritocracy
A recent book on meritocracy highlights how it has always gone hand in hand with fair assessment.
Assessment
How and why do we assess students? What are the best approaches?
The Birth of GCSEs: Four decades on, what were the reasons for GCSEs?
With the exam season nearing its end, Andrew Taylor, AQA’s Head of Mathematics, outlines the reasons why GCSEs were created.
Making the grades – How does an exam turn into a qualification?
AQi considers how exam boards make sure that grades reflect the hard work and effort put in by students.
What was education like when the Queen ascended to the throne in 1952?
For Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, AQA looks back on what education and exams were like in 1952.
Journey of a script – What happens after students put their pens down?
What happens after an exam is finished? AQi explains how they are turned into grades, in a matter of weeks.
Making up an exam: How does a question paper get made?
With this year’s exam season kicking off, AQi explores the processes that help create the final exam papers that end up on students’ desks.
Computer science and on-screen assessment: Lessons for policymakers
Evaluating the barriers and benefits to on-screen assessment among AQA A-level Computer Science teachers.
A National Baccalaureate for England?
AQi looks at the National Baccalaureate Trust's recent proposals for introducing a national baccalaureate in England.
A post-16 perspective on the EBacc
Eddie Playfair, Association of Colleges, provides a personal view of the education system, informed by decades of teaching and advising post-16 students.
Bacc again: A policy briefing on baccalaureate curriculum models
What could a baccalaureate look like in England? AQi explores some of the options.
On-screen Assessment in England’s Exam System
Exploring what on-screen assessment could mean for GCSE and A-Level students in England.
What do teachers think of the EBacc?
Digging deeper into the views of secondary school teachers.
The role of assessment in meritocracy
A recent book on meritocracy highlights how it has always gone hand in hand with fair assessment.
Stepping Stone: the future of the EBacc and student progression
Over a decade since its inception, AQi explores whether the EBacc curriculum is the right stepping stone to post-16 study and training for pupils in England.
Comparable Outcomes: Setting the standard?
What is the comparable outcomes framework, how does it underpin grade standards and are there alternatives?
Functional Skills Qualifications: The first decade
Ten years after they were launched, this briefing looks at the future of Functional Skills Qualifications and the levelling-up agenda
