HC Deb 27 February 1990 vol 168 c163W
36. Mr. Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on the Government's proposals to change the structure of the GCSE examinations.

Mrs. Rumbold

GCSE will continue to be the main form of assessment for pupils at age 16 but some changes will be necessary to bring it into line with the national curriculum. From 1994, achievement will be reported on the national curriculum 1–10 scale, pupils being awarded a GCSE certificate if they achieve level 4 or better. GCSEs will be available in single subjects and also in combinations of subjects. The School Examinations and Assessment Council is developing revised GCSE national criteria embodying the statutory attainment targets and programmes of study for the 10 foundation subjects of the national curriculum.