Overview

Proposals at a glance

Ofqual invites your views on proposed adaptations to the assessment of GCSEs in mathematics, physics and combined science for students in England taking exams in 2025, 2026 and 2027.

The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed its decision in relation to the subject content for which it is responsible that it is not necessary for students taking exams in 2025, 2026 and 2027 to memorise formulae for GCSE mathematics and equations for GCSE physics and combined science. DfE has confirmed that any decision beyond these dates is subject to the outcome of DfE’s Curriculum and Assessment Review.

As a result of this, Ofqual proposes carrying forward from summer 2024 the provision of support materials, in the form of formulae and revised equation sheets, in the exams for GCSE mathematics, physics and combined science. This proposal relates to exams taken in 2025, 2026 and 2027 and will include the November exams for students taking GCSE mathematics.

Audience

This consultation is likely to be of interest to:

• students, including private candidates, who are expecting to take GCSE exams in 2025, 2026 and 2027 and their parents and carers
• teachers, private tutors and home-educators of these qualifications
• school and college leaders and heads of other types of exam centre
• stakeholder representative organisations and unions
• exams officers
• the exam boards that will provide the exams
• those who use qualifications to make selection decisions: further and higher education institutions and employers

Consultation arrangements

Duration

The consultation will be open for 2 weeks starting on 3 October 2024 and ending on 17 October 2024 at 11:45pm.

Respond

Please respond to this consultation by completing the online response form.

What happens next

Your response has been submitted. Thank you for completing the consultation

This information will now be analysed and the findings will be published on our website.

To get alerted to updates to this and other Ofqual consultations, you can sign up for alerts on our consultation page on GOV.UK.