§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what is the average mark required to pass GCSE(a) maths, (b) English and (c) history for each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement. [75259]
§ Mr. Miliband[holding answer 24 October 2002]: The GCSE is not a pass/fail examination. The GCSE grading system is criteria-related and grade boundary ranges for each subject are established each year by awarding bodies, making reference to candidates' work from the previous year, grade descriptions, past papers and statistical data. Each boundary is set by individual awarding bodies using both professional judgment and key statistical evidence. Information on grade boundary marks is not routinely collected.
The information on grade boundaries in maths, English and history will be lodged in the House of Commons Library in due course.
§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what the average mark needed to attain a grade(a) A, (b) C and (c) G in GCSE mathematics was in each year from 1987 to 2002; [75263]
(2) what the average mark needed to achieve an (a) A grade and (b) A* grade in GCSE mathematics was in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement. [76548]
§ Mr. Miliband[holding answer 24 October 2002]: Information is not routinely collected on grade boundary marks in GCSE mathematics, across individual awarding body specifications. Grade boundary ranges for each subject, including mathematics, are established making reference to candidates' work from the previous year, grade descriptions, past papers and statistical data. Each 911W boundary is set by individual awarding bodies using both professional judgement and key statistical evidence.
The information on grade boundaries in Maths GCSE for the period requested will be lodged in the House of Commons Library in due course.