DARTP responds to Ofqual announcement about 2022 exam arrangements

he Division of Academics and Researchers in Psychology has responded to the announcement from Ofqual about 2022 exam arrangements, raising concerns about the lack of clarity and lack of understanding about the experiences of students and teachers over the last 18 months.

Chair of DARTP, Helen Kitching said:

"It is incredibly disappointing that this announcement has come so late, with a real lack of clarification over what information students will receive in advance of their exams, and how much this will actually help them consider the significant amount of learning students have missed due to Covid-19

"It seems as if this cohort of students is being treated like any other, when in fact the opposite is very true. This group have not sat any external exams and have not even gone through the process of teacher assessed grades like the current year 12s did. Teachers have reported that this has resulted in a reduced ability to work independently and to understand the level of commitment that sitting external exams entails. There is increased anxiety and for many students a significant loss of learning due to Covid-19.

"As well as students, this announcement also has a significant impact on teachers. Teachers are trying to wade through content not covered last academic year while also helping students who found learning online difficult and disruptive. The impact of this will mean there will be less time for teachers to spend teaching skills and supporting revision. This is likely to disadvantage students who are already anxious about getting the grades they need to access their university courses.  

"Finally we question why some subjects that have smaller numbers of students sitting the exams, such as psychology, have not seen any reduction in course content. The students sitting these exams will have faced the same levels of disruption that the other subjects will have experienced and the content should be adjusted accordingly."