Code of Practice
The GCE, GCSE, VCE, GNVQ and AEA code of practice
The 2008/9 version of the code of practice can be downloaded below. It supersedes the 2007/8 version with effect from Thursday 17th April 2008 and covers the summer 2008 and winter 2009 examination series.
The GCE, GCSE, VCE, GNVQ and AEA code of practice is designed to promote quality, consistency, accuracy and fairness in the assessment and awarding of all general qualifications. It also helps to ensure that standards are maintained in each subject, across awarding bodies and different specifications from year to year.
The code of practice lays down agreed principles, processes and practices to be adhered to by the awarding bodies that develop and deliver these accredited qualifications. The awarding bodies are AQA, Edexcel and OCR in England , WJEC in Wales and CCEA in Northern Ireland . Schools and colleges may choose qualifications offered by awarding bodies in any of the three countries.
The code of practice is produced by the three regulatory authorities - QCA in England , DELLS in Wales and CCEA in Northern Ireland . The regulatory authorities review the code regularly to ensure that it remains up-to-date and fit for purpose.
Changes may be made as a result of
- awarding bodies’ experiences of putting the code into practice when assessing and awarding general qualifications
- evidence of awarding bodies’ performance gathered by the regulatory authorities through their monitoring activities
- outcomes of research on best practice in assessment and awarding
- the development of e-assessment and e-marking technology.
The regulatory authorities work with the awarding bodies to make sure that the code of practice is clear, precise and practical.
The code provides a basis for high standards in all aspects of the examining process and therefore makes an important contribution to maintaining public confidence in these qualifications.
GCSE, GCSE in Vocational subjects, GCE, VCE, GNVQ and AEA Code of Practice 20008/09PDF, 1.08 MB
