§ Baroness Blatchasked Her Majesty's Government:
When Ministers became aware that the pass mark for this year's GCSE mathematics was lowered; and for what reasons the pass mark was lowered. [HL4542]
§ Baroness Ashton of UphollandGrade boundaries for an examination are set so that the grades awarded represent continuity and parity of standards over time and across syllabuses. Awarding bodies in England make these decisions under a regime independent of government, regulated by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. Ministers and their officials were therefore not advised by QCA of the grade boundary setting decisions in any of this summer's examinations. The Chief Executive of QCA will write to the noble Baroness to explain the decision in question.