GCSE Mathematics and Statistics Reforms 2012 – Going Linear
Frequently Asked Questions
NB TheseFAQs have been updated to include both the changes to November exams being resit only from 2014, and the new first entry regulations in place from September 2013.
Will there be any change to the linear Mathematics B (2MB01) specification?
The content of the qualification remains the same. However, in order to satisfy the move to linear, the assessment (all three unit papers) will have to be taken by students in the same examination session at the end of the course. The March examination session will not be available after March 2013.
When is the last examination sessionthat I can take GCSEs in a modular way for Mathematics?
November 2013 will be the last session that the Mathematics B (2MB01) qualification will be available to be taken in a modular way; thereafter all three unit papers will need to be taken in the same examination session.
Can I still mix the tier of entry across the unit papers for theMathematics B (2MB01) specification once it becomes a linear course?
Yes, you will be able to mix tier entry across the threeunit papers.A UMS scale will be used to determine the final grade.
Will there be any change to the linear Mathematics A (1MA0) specification?
No; since this was already a linear specification no changes were required. The only change is that the March examination session will not be available after March 2013.
What are the main differences in terms of assessment between Edexcel GCSE Mathematics A (1MA0) and GCSE Mathematics B (2MB01) specifications once they go linear for first teaching from September 2012?
The table below outlines the assessment for both specifications:
GCSE Mathematics A (1MA0) / GCSE Mathematics B (2MB01)Number of papers / Two papers / Three papers
Tier entry / Students must be entered for Foundation (F) or Higher (H) tier. Both papers will be taken at the chosen tier. / Students can be entered for different tiers across the units.
Weighting of papers / Paper 1: 50%
Paper 2: 50% / Unit 1: 30%
Unit 2: 30%
Unit 3: 40%
Structure of papers / Paper 1: Non-Calculator
Paper 2: Calculator / Unit 1: Calculator
Unit 2: Non-Calculator
Unit 3: Calculator
Content of the papers / Content is not prescribed at a paper level / Discrete content prescribed for each unit (see specification for details)
Timing of the papers / Paper 1: 1 hr 45 mins
Paper 2: 1 hr 45 mins / Unit 1: 1 hr 15 mins
Unit 2: 1 hr 15 mins
Unit 3: 1 hr 30 mins (F)
1 hr 45 mins (H)
Availability / June and November / June and November
Will there be a March window for the current linear and modular specifications (for first teaching from September 2010)?
There will be an examination session in March 2013 for the current linear and modular specifications, the only time that awards for these specification will be made for a March session (but with entry restricted to students seeking awards no later than November 2013).
What are the implications of the move to linear GCSEs on GCSE Statistics?
GCSE Statistics (2ST01) will now also be offered as a linear specification. There is no change to the content of written papers or controlled assessment. The only change is that controlled assessment tasks must now be submitted in the same year as students take their written paper. (The controlled assessment tasks change each year, so please ensureyou use the appropriate task for the year of GCSE entry).
When will examinations for the current and updated linear specifications be available?
Below is a table showing the transition model from the current to the updated specifications for first teaching from September 2012. Green represents “available” and red represents “not available”.
Nov 2012 / March 2013 / June 2013 / Nov2013 / March 2014 / June 2014 / Nov
2014
GCSE
Mathematics A
(1MA0) 2010 / Final March session
GCSE Mathematics A
(1MA0) 2012 / Re-sit session only
GCSE Mathematics B
(2MB01) 2010 / Final March session / Final modular sitting
GCSE Mathematics B
(2MB01) 2012 / Re-sit session only
Will early entry still be allowed when linear specifications are in place?
Early entry will still be allowed. From November 2014 onwards, November exam sessions will be for re-sit candidatesonly. Please note that, from 29 September 2013, only a student’s first entry to a GCSE examination will count in their school’s performance tables. For those who have already completed aGCSE, the performance tables will still record their best result from either their previous attempt or from the next time they sit thatGCSE.
Will re-sitting of units and carrying forward the best marks be allowed for the GCSE Mathematics B specification once linear specifications are in place?
No. Part of the move to linear means all the assessment must be taken in the same examination session and the marks achieved on these papers must count towards the final grade awarded. If a student wants to improve his/her grade then they would need to retake the entire GCSE (all three unit papers) in the next available examination session.
Will retakes of the GCSE qualification be allowed once the linear specifications are in place?
Students will be allowed to re-take linear GCSEs as many times as required - there will be no limit. However, from 29 September 2013, it will be their first entry that counts in their school’s performance tables.
Will the Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 Certificate in Mathematics still have a January examination session?
The Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 Certificate in Mathematics KMA0 (the International GCSE for state schools) will continue to be examined in Summer and January each year, starting in Summer 2012.
Do the results of the Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 Certificate count towards the 5A*C (including English and maths) and English Baccalaureate measures in the School's Performance Tables?
Yes, from summer 2012 onwards. Please note that the first entry regulations for GCSE Maths (see above) apply to the Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 Certificate in the same way.
Can I enter students for GCSE Mathematics and Edexcel 1/Level 2 Certificate in Mathematics?
It will be possible to enter students for both GCSE and Certificate examinations at any given examination session. Two separate grades will be awarded, but from 29 September 2013 it will be the first entry of the two that counts in school performance tables.
Can I enter students for both GCSE Mathematics A and GCSE Mathematics B?
It is possible to enter students for both GCSE examinations. Two separate grades will be awarded, but from 29 September 2013 it will be the first entry of the two that counts in school performance tables.
If Imake multiple entries for a student, which grade will count towards performance table measures?
From 29 September 2013, only a student’s first entry to a GCSE examination will count in their school’s performance tables. For those who have already completed aGCSE, the performance tables will still record their best result from either their previous attempt or from the next time they sit thatGCSE.
Will you still offer GCSE Mathematics B (2MB01) as a modular specification to centres in Wales and Northern Ireland that are not bound by the same rules?
No, we will no longer offer GCSE Mathematics B (2MB01) as a modular specification.
Now that GCSEs have gone linear, will the same happen at GCE?
GCE Mathematics is due to undergo reform for first teaching in September 2016but it is not yet known what the structure of future GCEs will be. For more information on GCE Reforms click here.
What support is available for the transition to linear specifications?
Since the content and assessments have not changed, you can continue to use the extensive support we have in place for our GCSE Mathematics specifications. Find out more here.
In order to support our centres currently offering our GCSE Mathematics B (2MB01) specificationmake a smooth transition to linear GCSE from September 2012 we have:
- updated our GCSE Mathematics B scheme of work to include some guidance notes about the options available to you.
- published recordings of the online briefings that we hosted earlier this year to inform teachers of the changes.
- made available through our website the presentation slides and materials of the free face-to-face training events that we hosted.
- created a new version of the GCSE Mathematics A scheme of work which maps the modules and objectives to the modular published student books.
For GCSE Statistics (2ST01) we have:
- published recordings of the online briefings that we hosted earlier this year to inform teachers of the change.
- provided guidance on which controlled assessment task to complete
In the autumn term, we will be:
- producing a new set of exemplar tasks to support with the delivery of controlled assessment.
- making all past paper questions available through our enhanced ExamWizard service free online.
If you would like to seek further clarification or have any further queries please feel free to contact us on 0844 463 2931 or email us at