Science GCSEs 'could be easier'

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Under new proposals, the tests will contain fewer tough questions requiring lengthy answers and more that ask students simply to tick a multiple choice box, a document seen by a newspaper revealed.

The guidelines on how examiners should test pupils' knowledge have apparently been drawn up by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), which represents awarding bodies across Britain.

They reflect a non-binding agreement between the exam boards, the newspaper reports.

The plan is said to be for exam papers to consist of 70% "low-demand questions", requiring simpler or multiple-choice answers. Currently such questions make up 55% of the paper.

Jim Sinclair, JCQ director, told the newspaper the proposed changes were a way of stopping children being "turned off" by science.

But the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) insisted there were no plans to alter the way the subject was examined. "We have recently revised these examinations and we have no plans to look at them again," a spokeswoman said.

"GSCEs have been a massive success in driving up standards and their rigour is trusted by teachers, pupils, parents and employers alike."

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), to which exam boards must submit papers for a stamp of approval, said it would not let standards slip.

A spokesman said he was not aware of any changes, but added: "Papers are cleared through us. We have to make sure that the standards of GCSEs awarded in any subject remain the same year after year.So if anything looked like it would compromise that, we would take an interest."