Key Points:
- Northern Ireland AS Levels will likely remain, as 77% opposed plans to remove them and shift to a two-year A-level system.
- Most respondents supported keeping the current GCSE and A-level structure, rejecting major grading and format changes.
- The department plans to reduce exam frequency and course content to ease pressure on students and teachers.
The Department of Education will review proposed changes to the examination system after a public consultation showed limited support for several key measures. The consultation, launched last September by Education Minister Paul Givan, gathered responses from teachers, students, and other education stakeholders on planned adjustments to GCSE and A-level qualifications.
A significant portion of respondents opposed the proposal to remove AS levels and convert A-levels into a two year course with final examinations at the end of the second year. Currently, Northern Ireland AS Levels are taken during the first year and contribute 40 percent of the overall A-level grade.
Strong Support For Retaining Current Structures
According to consultation findings, 77 percent of respondents opposed removing Northern Ireland AS Levels in favor of a two year A-level course without first year examinations. Similarly, 63.1 percent disagreed with changing GCSE examinations to a linear structure, while 85.2 percent supported retaining the existing modular format in English and mathematics.
There was also resistance to altering the GCSE grading system to a numerical scale similar to that used in England and Wales. The department indicated that this proposal will not be pursued at this time.
Despite opposition to structural changes, there was strong backing for keeping GCSE and A-level qualifications overall. Ninety percent of respondents agreed that A-levels should remain the main qualification for students after age sixteen, and 94 percent supported retaining GCSE examinations at key stage four.
The department described the issue as complex and said it will reflect further on the feedback before making final decisions regarding the qualifications framework.
Focus On Reducing Assessment And Course Content
While some structural reforms, particularly those related to Northern Ireland AS Levels, are being reconsidered, the department plans to move forward with efforts to reduce the number of assessments within GCSE and A-level courses. Proposals include limiting how frequently pupils sit examinations during their studies in order to address concerns about excessive testing.
The consultation also asked whether the current course content places too much pressure on students and teachers. Seventy eight percent of respondents agreed that the volume of material covered should be reduced to ease workload demands in classrooms.
Views were mixed regarding practical assessments in science subjects, though there was strong support for keeping speaking and listening components within modern language GCSE examinations.
The department also acknowledged a gap in provision for pupils educated through the medium of Irish. While the Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment offers GCSE qualifications in both Gaeilge and Irish, there is currently no distinct A-level designed specifically for students educated through Irish. The proposal to introduce a separate A-level qualification for these pupils received support, and further engagement with the Irish medium sector is expected.
In outlining the overall aim of the review, the department said it seeks to reduce workload for both teachers and pupils by streamlining content, reducing the number of examinations, and cutting administrative demands. Officials noted that many students currently sit major examinations each year from Year 11 through Year 14, which can affect teaching time and learning continuity, including those preparing for Northern Ireland AS Levels.
The consultation findings will now inform the next stage of review as the department considers adjustments to ensure qualifications remain relevant, manageable, and aligned with classroom needs.
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