A major shake-up of exams in Northern Ireland is on the horizon, with the AS-Level system set to be overhauled. The current structure, where AS-Levels are taken halfway through the A-Level course and account for 40% of the final grade, is being replaced with a new two-year modular A-Level. This new system will feature three separate topics or sets of exams, with the option for students to sit some tests at the end of Year 13, contributing 30% to their final A-Level grade. The remaining 70% will be determined by exams taken at the end of Year 14. This shift addresses concerns about the current AS structure, which has been criticized for causing unnecessary stress and over-testing. The changes also extend to GCSEs, with most exams now taken at the end of the two-year course, and a maximum of two exam papers in most subjects. This linear approach aims to reduce the workload and address equity issues. Education Minister Paul Givan has emphasized the focus on learning rather than testing, and the reforms are part of a wider educational reform called TransformED, which includes curriculum and assessment reviews. However, these changes have sparked debate, with Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan criticizing the minister for not fully addressing public concerns and for still removing AS-Levels as a standalone qualification. The minister's response to the public's dislike of the original proposal has been to retain the ability to bank part of the A-Level qualification, while also citing the impact of AI on coursework as a reason for its reduction in most subjects.
