England’s largest exam board is investigating whether a new “Duolingo-like” on-screen, on-demand test could help young people who repeatedly fail GCSE maths and English.
AQA is exploring whether a numeracy and literacy assessment would support more pupils who don’t get the grade 4 in both subjects needed to complete an apprenticeship or get a job.
It follows calls from the school leaders’ union ASCL for a “passport” in the two subjects – a test taken between 15 and 19 when the pupil is ready.
The recommendation was part of its “forgotten third” inquiry to “end the wasteful GCSE resit industry”.
