Ofqual launched a review because students complained about delayed results in the exam period of the summer just gone. Their results found that 20,500 students received their BTec and other results late.
Exam regulator Ofqual has said it will now be putting provisions in place after thousands of students had delayed results earlier this year. Students were concerned about their university places after results were late at over 1500 schools.
Exam Boards Apologise For Students Delayed Results
Students had to wait for their BTec, Cambridge National and Cambridge Technical grades in the summer. The results were issued by Pearson and OCR, both of which have apologised for the extra stress caused. The Guardian reports that a spokesperson said the following back in the summer.
“We are very sorry that some students are still waiting for their results. BTECs are a modular qualification and in order for us to award an overall result, we require grades to be provided for each unit and a claim made to receive the qualification.”
Ofqual then went on to say that they had “every sympathy” for students whose exams had already been affected by the pandemic.
Students were made to wait an extra week for their results which left them uncertain about their university places.
Late Results Meant Students Missed Out
Back in the summer, one student told the BBC that the delay meant that he had missed out on clearing. James, who had wanted to swap courses in clearing, said his plans had fallen through due to the late results.
“I was told I would hopefully get them by the end of the day but nothing came – it’s been really stressful.”
Emily, who is now studying at the university of Worcester said that she felt as if she had missed out on an experience due to her delayed results.
“Results day is one of those things where it should be a big celebration because everyone’s got their results. I did feel incredibly left out, really.”
Ofqual Sets Up Plans
Chief regulator Jo Saxton said the delays were “unacceptable” and that a taskforce will be set up that will meet throughout the year.
The official Ofqual document will be released next year, with Pearson and OCR having published their own reviews too.
A spokeswoman for Pearson said: “It was unacceptable that some students did not receive their results when they were expecting them this summer and we apologise for Pearson’s role in this.”
They will be part of the new taskforce that would work on improvements.
OCR chief executive spoke about the importance of not having this issue again: ” [It’s] vital that we learn, improve and do everything we can to avoid it happening again.”
