Consultation outcome

GCSE reform: regulations for geography

Applies to England

This consultation has concluded

Download the full outcome

GCSE Geography: Decisions on Conditions and Guidance

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Analysis of Responses to our Consultation on Conditions and Guidance for GCSE Geography

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Detail of outcome

We have decided to adopt our proposed rules and guidance for reformed GCSEs in geography, with minor drafting changes to clarify some of our expectations. We have now published final versions of our:

Our new rules will require reformed GCSEs in geography to:

  • comply with the Department for Education’s subject content for geography, and our assessment objectives
  • allocate 10% of marks to rewarding use of appropriate mathematical and statistical techniques
  • include 5% of marks for accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar, and the use of specialist technology

In line with the subject content, we are also requiring awarding organisations to ensure schools provide evidence of the opportunities they have given their students to carry out geographical fieldwork, and to take action if schools fail to do so.

Our guidance explains how awarding organisations should interpret parts of the subject content, and our assessment objectives.


Original consultation

Summary

Proposed regulations and guidance for the design, delivery and award of new geography GCSEs.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

This consultation is about the rules and guidance we need to put in place for new GCSEs in geography. These rules will apply to the exam boards that want to offer new geography GCSEs from September 2016. This is part of Ofqual’s work supporting the government’s changes to GCSEs, AS and A levels.

Documents

GCSE Geography: Consultation on Conditions and Guidance

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email publications@ofqual.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.
Published 16 December 2014
Last updated 9 February 2015 + show all updates
  1. Published consultation outcome, and conditions and guidance for reformed GCSEs in geography

  2. First published.