Awarding bodies AQA and OCR will no longer run GCSE exams in the North, which is planning to keep traditional A* to G grades. Most pupils take exams offered by the North’s exams board, the CCEA. However, many take papers set by boards from England too.
Education minister John O’Dowd had said boards wishing to offer exams in Northern Ireland needed to use A* to G rather than the new numerical grades being introduced in England.
OCR says, however, this creates financial and operational problems, which means it cannot offer separate qualifications in Northern Ireland. AQA says it has also reconsidered its position and will not offer reformed GCSEs.
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