Posted on Sunday 15th Jan 2017
There is widespread confusion about England's new GCSE grading system, says the exams regulator Ofqual.
Starting this summer, GCSE grades A* to G will be phased out in favour of grades numbered from nine to one.
However, around 70% of more than 400 parents and pupils surveyed by Ofqual did not understand the system.
"It is really important we explain the basics, like the fact that nine is the highest grade," said Chief Regulator Sally Collier.
Ofqual wants to raise awareness of the numerical grading system which starts this summer, with candidates who sit new more challenging English and maths GCSEs receiving a mixture of number and letter grades.
By the summer of 2018 a mix of numbers and letters will be awarded in an additional 20 subjects, with the letter system entirely phased out by 2019.
But according to the regulator's small survey, awareness is currently low - only 31% of secondary pupils and 30% of parents said they were clear how the new system worked.
Latest News
18/10/19Pupils with behavioural issues failing to meet exam benchmark
Just 1.5% with behaviour issues got grade 4s or higher in the subjects, according to data
16/10/19Physical exercise during academic lessons can help boost test scores, study suggests
'Active classes help children learn more effectively,' researchers say
15/10/19Career ambitions 'already limited by age of seven'
By the age of seven, children are already facing limits on their future aspirations in work, according to a report from the OECD international economics think tank.
14/10/19Colleges struggling to cope with growing number of students out of school during GCSEs, report finds
Funding needed to prevent youngsters from taking ‘wrong path to crime or drugs’
11/10/19Social media has 'little effect on girls' wellbeing'
A new report suggests sleep and friendships are more important to wellbeing than staying off social media.