Now that Williamson/Gibb have done what they should have done pre announcement of A level results I thought I would write down the basic data questions any senior corporate manager would have asked in mid July when still masses of time to tweak things (ie not use the algorithm or
the Algorithm plus compensating procedures to remove anomalies which will cause justified emotion). Once the answers are received the solution is identified based on where you know emotion will naturally arise
How many students will be awarded a grade lower than their CAG. For how many students is this for all 3 or 4 A levels, how many for 2 and how many for just 1 subject
Do we have a breakdown where the algorithm grade lower than CAG by type of school, D&I, socio-economic statistics and parliamentary constituency
If there are any reductions by more than one grade from CAG why?
Will anyone fail an A level when CAG would say E or above
How many students will lose their first choice University if algorithm rather than CAG used
How many students will lose both University options if algorithm rather than CAG used
How many students lose University places if CAG used compared with teacher estimate at time of UCAS - need to ask school what changed?
Of the pupils potentially losing University places due to algorithm rather than CAG being used how many state verses private school and what D&I/socio-economic background
Are there any students where algorithm gives a higher grade than CAG - if so why
How are the downward/upward changes between CAG and the algorithm landing by size and type of school. Are there any anomalies (eg class/school size)
What is the variance by school between CAG and prior year A level results. In all instances of a material variance ask schools to explain movement - need list of schools which seem to have gamed CAG
In terms of schools that seem to have gamed the system ask for proof of improvement from 2019 eg mock exams
Do Universities have capacity to honour all offers based on CAG results
All of the above to be repeated for BTEC and I-baccalaureate
Some of these are very very difficult to obtain but point is if you can’t answer questions only safe approach as a Minister is CAG as this is what the professional thinks is fair. We all know in some years a few students do better on the day than teachers expect and others make
A mistake eg misread a question BUT CAG would always be what a student would hope to achieve as that is what their mentor is telling them to expect if revise hard and keep calm on the day
The end
