GCSE and A Level shake-up: 4,500 NI students back move to cut exam pressure

Thousands of Northern Ireland pupils have called for a reduction in exam pressure as the Department of Education publishes its long-awaited report on the future of CCEA GCSE, AS and A Level qualifications.

Nearly 4,500 young people responded to a dedicated survey, alongside more than 3,500 individuals and organisations who took part in a public consultation between September and November 2025.

The findings will inform a new Qualifications Policy Framework, with revised CCEA specifications expected to be introduced from September 2028.

Students describe “permanent state of assessment”

Feedback from pupils emerged as a central driver for reform of CCEA qualifications in Northern Ireland.

Many young people reported feeling in a “permanent state of assessment” under the current modular system, sitting high-stakes exams in Year 11, Year 12, Year 13 (AS) and Year 14 (A2).

A significant number described burnout and said the cycle of January and summer modules limited their ability to take part in extracurricular activities such as sport and music.

While views were divided on moving fully to linear, end-of-course exams, a consistent theme was the desire for “less frequent, but more meaningful assessment”.

Some pupils valued modular exams as a “safety net”, allowing them to bank results early. Others argued there was “too much testing and not enough learning” and supported having more teaching time before final assessment.

Students also raised concerns about the current A*–G grading system, suggesting it can be misunderstood by universities and employers in Great Britain. Many supported a single UK-wide 9–1 numerical grading scale to improve clarity and comparability.

AS Levels to be removed as A Levels become fully linear

Under the proposed structural changes:

• AS Levels will be removed, with A Levels moving to a two-year linear model.

• Most GCSEs will become linear, with exams taken at the end of the course.

• Modularity will be retained for GCSE English and Maths, allowing early entry and resits.

• A maximum of two assessments per qualification will be introduced where possible.

The Department said the reforms aim to streamline content, reduce assessment load and improve teaching time.

Education Minister Paul Givan said:

“There is a clear need to ensure that CCEA qualifications taken by Northern Ireland pupils are of high quality and are fit for purpose.

“The consultation has demonstrated strong support for retaining GCSEs and A levels, while also recognising the need to streamline content and assessment to improve teaching and learning and reduce pressure on teachers and pupils.

“CCEA qualifications must continue to provide effective pathways and progression and keep pace with developments in a rapidly changing technological environment.

“It has been over a decade since CCEA qualifications were last revised. My Department has undertaken significant consultation and engagement to evaluate current structures and approaches, particularly their impact on teaching and learning, and on teacher and pupil workload. These views will help shape the proposed revisions.”

He added:

“I am grateful to all who took the time to engage with my Department and respond to the consultation. The feedback, along with analysis of research evidence, will inform the way forward. I will set out next steps and publish a new qualifications policy framework for Northern Ireland in the coming weeks.”

Move to 9–1 GCSE grading for UK comparability

The report confirms that CCEA GCSEs will transition from the A*–G letter grading system to the 9–1 numerical scale used in England.

Feedback indicated that the existence of three different grading systems across Northern Ireland, England and Wales was viewed as confusing for employers and higher education institutions.

Aligning with the 9–1 scale is intended to ensure qualifications remain “portable” and clearly understood outside Northern Ireland.

Curriculum content to be reduced

The Department identified “excessive content” in some current specifications, which respondents said created pressure to rush through topics.

Planned changes include:

• Reducing prescribed content to encourage deeper learning.

• Removing controlled assessments and formal speaking and listening assessments from GCSE English Language.

• Retaining speaking and listening assessments in Modern Languages.

• Removing graded assessment of practical science experiments, replacing it with a requirement for students to complete a specified range of practical activities.

STEM subjects account for 41.4% of all GCSE entries in Northern Ireland (2025 data), making the approach to science practical assessment one of the most debated aspects of the reform.

Workload and wellbeing central to reform

The report highlights concerns about the cumulative impact of four consecutive years of high-stakes exams. Research cited by the Department indicates that UK pupils spend more time in high-stakes examinations than many OECD peers.

Teacher workload was also a key factor. Around 5,000 examiners and moderators are contracted annually by CCEA to manage the current assessment volume, a level the report suggests is increasingly difficult to sustain alongside classroom responsibilities.

While there was broad support for reducing assessment burden, some stakeholders raised concerns about the removal of AS Levels and the potential impact of a single end-of-course exam.

New qualifications framework to follow

Alongside consultation findings, the Department signposts research that will inform a new Qualifications Policy Framework, due to be published in the coming weeks.

This framework will underpin the development of revised CCEA GCSE and A Level specifications, including the introduction of a new A Level in Gaeilge for Irish-medium students.

First teaching of new specifications is likely from September 2028, with a phased implementation to support schools through the transition.

For pupils currently navigating the exam system, the proposed changes signal a shift towards fewer assessments, streamlined content and greater alignment with the wider UK — reforms that the Department says are designed to serve future generations of young people across Northern Ireland.

The full Consultation Report: The Future of CCEA GCSE, AS and A Level Qualifications is available on the Department’s website.