2021 Exams Announcement

What’s changed?

Later exams

Exams have been pushed back by three weeks, now starting on the 7th June rather than in mid-May. The exams will be more condensed and over a shorter time period. 

Reduced content

There is a small amount of reduced content such as not having to fulfill Geography field trips and a smaller syllabus for English Literature.

Results days compressed to be in the same week

Both results days have been earmarked in the same week for the first time. The A-Level Results Day is scheduled for 24th August and the GCSE Results Day is scheduled for 27th August. 

What does this announcement mean?

That it’s the government’s Plan A is for exams to go ahead

The government has said that they will do everything in their power to ensure exams go ahead so that students can prove their hard work through structured assessments.

There may be a later September start date

In order to ensure exams will go ahead, the government has not ruled out pushing back exams dates even further than June. Therefore there might be a discussion as to whether schools and universities may have to have a later starting date for the autumn term in the event that exams as results days are pushed back further.

Centre assessment grades are still a possibility as a last resort

This announcement still acknowledges that there may be extreme pandemic circumstances that will mean that exams cannot happen and therefore we should not rule out the possibility that exams may not take place in the smallest likelihood.

How you’ll need to adapt 

Revision will be a marathon not a sprint

Not only do you now have longer until exams, your term time work may become important in the event that exams are still unable to go ahead. You need to revise little and often from now, ensuring you don’t rely on a last minute revision sprint. Despite the fact that you may still be learning new material, ask for review work, go back and check your knowledge on material studied right at the beginning and get your folders ready early. 

Just making revision notes won’t get you exam ready

I have to admit, when I took GCSEs, I relied heavily on some very meticulously written revision notes! After many years working in education, I cannot stress enough how beneficial doing questions are for getting you exam ready. Revision notes are great for gathering information and making it accessible but practising using and applying that knowledge is where you see the biggest improvements.

Go back, re-do homeowners and review exercises. Make sure that you know where you went wrong and can get to the answers now on your own. Use varied and active revision tools such as our online revision courses as they will keep you interested and engaged, meaning the year is more enjoyable despite the hard work.

Starting past papers earlier is a must

Each year, many of my students start past papers in the Easter holidays. I would suggest you start from Christmas. Print papers, file them and, on a weekly basis, sit down to complete and then mark them one by one. By the time you get to exams, taking exams will be like a routine for you. Not only that but if the school springs any last minute assessments on you because of a risk to exams taking place, you will be overly prepared.

Be collaborative with your revision so you’re not carrying the burden alone

It’s a much longer revision time this year and doing it alone may take it out of you; it will be hard to keep momentum. There are options to revise together with friends, even if it is online via zoom, Skype or FaceTime. Mark each other’s past papers; you will learn twice as fast from where both you and your friend are going wrong. Keep each other motivated with the knowledge that you’re all in it together - I can vouch for the fact that this peer support got me through my very lengthy and stressful university finals exams!

Be careful of the traps

Don’t slack off over Easter

With exams being later, you may feel less pressure to revise in the Easter holidays. Use that time wisely as many teachers may be using the summer term to teach the last of the syllabus. The Easter holidays and half terms are your time to get ahead and you can’t get that time back. 

Don’t assume exams will or won’t happen

Be careful assuming that your mock exams will not be used for your grades or that you definitely won’t have to take any exams in the summer. The government and examination bodies are clear in saying they intend to find a way to make exams happen; in fact, last year they said that the centre assessment grades (predicted grades from teachers) wouldn’t happen again. However, they cannot promise with 100% certainty so you should always go forward assuming you will need to take exams and that your mock exams and other assessments may be used to contribute to your grade. Be over prepared for either option to ensure you end up with the grades you deserve.

Final word

My final advice would be to talk to your teachers about what they would need for centre assessment grades if they need to provide them to exam boards and let them know early if there are any grades you specifically need. Asking this will mean your teachers can advise you on how to get to where you need to be before it is too late.

Start early, don’t assume and collaborate. Most of all, good luck with all your studies!

Kathryn Hopwood,

Director of Studies & Founder, LearnSmart Academy