EXAMINING ASSESSMENT - 40 Years Anniversary - A compendium of abstracts taken from research conducted by AQA and predecessor bodies

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Sarah

Examining Assessment presents a curated compendium of research abstracts produced by AQA and its predecessor organisations, published to mark the 40th anniversary of the AQA Research Committee. The collection gathers work spanning standards and comparability, aggregation and awarding, non-examination assessment, quality of marking, validity, fairness and differentiation, assessment design, and perspectives on students and stakeholders. It also includes institutional history, CERP formation milestones, and reflections on transparency in research.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages88

Reading Time3 h 42 min

AccessFree to download

Contents

Introduction

Standards and comparability

Aggregation, grading and awarding

Non-examination assessment

Quality of marking

Assessment validity

Fairness and differentiation

Assessment design

Students and stakeholders

Ripping off the cloak of secrecy

Formation of CERP: A timeline of key events

The AQA Research Committee

CERP research, technical and supporting staff

About CERP

Examining assessment A compendium of abstracts taken from research conducted by AQA and predecessor bodies, published to mark the 40th anniversary of the AQA Research Committee 40 Y E A R S ANNIVERSARY [cerp.org.uk](cerp.org.uk) Centre for Education Research and Practice (CERP) Examining assessment A compendium of abstracts taken from research conducted by AQA and predecessor bodies, published to mark the 40th anniversary of the AQA Research Committee Edited by Lena Gray, Claire Jackson and Lindsay Simmonds Contributors Ruth Johnson, Ben Jones, Faith Jones, Lesley Meyer, Debbie Miles, Hilary Nicholls, Anne Pinot de Moira and Martin Taylor Director Alex Scharaschkin [cerp.org.uk](cerp.org.uk Centre)[ Centre](cerp.org.uk Centre) for Education Research and Practice (CERP) All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior permission of AQA. The views expressed here are those of the authors and not of the publisher, editors, AQA or its employees. First published by the Centre for Education Research and Practice (CERP) in 2015. © AQA, Stag Hill House, Guildford, GU2 7XJ Production by Rhinegold Publishing Ltd EXAMINING ASSESSMENT Contents Introduction vii A brief history of research conducted by AQA and predecessor bodies viii 􀀟􀀟􀀟􀀟􀀟 1. Standards and comparability 18 2. Aggregation, grading and awarding 30 3. Non-examination assessment 42 4. Quality of marking 46 5. Assessment validity 54 6. Fairness and differentiation 56 7. Assessment design 60 8. Students and stakeholders 66 9. Ripping off the cloak of secrecy 70 􀀟􀀟􀀟􀀟􀀟 Formation of CERP: A timeline of key events 82 The AQA Research Committee 84 CERP research, technical and supporting staff 85 About CERP 86 [cerp.org.uk](cerp.org.uk Centre)[ Centre](cerp.org.uk Centre) for Education Research and Practice (CERP) v EXAMINING ASSESSMENT Minutes from the AEB’s first ever research committee meeting that took place on 28 October 1975 at the Great Western Royal Hotel in London Introduction The education system is continuously evolving: infact, the only constant feature is change. High-stakes examinations loom large in this paradigm – but these must flex and adapt. This book, created to mark the 40th anniversary of the AQA Research Committee, follows on from Mike Cresswell’s 1999 publication Research Studies in Public Examining, which was produced just before the Associated Examining Board (AEB) and Northern Examinations and Assessment Board (NEAB) merged to form a single awarding body – the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) . I am indebted to Mike for this valuable title; many of the abstracts from the work completed by the AEB during the 80s and 90s are reproduced here. This volume also features examples of research that AQA has carried out more recently, within its Centre for Education Research and Practice (CERP) . Standards and awarding continue to be integral research topics, however, during the last decade, our attention has turned to marking, validity and assessment design. We are also considering the impact that assessment has on students and stakeholders, and how to ensure that non-examination assessments are fair. We have curated this collection along these broad themes. This is a snapshot in time of our research; as we move to adopt new techniques, so our studies will diversify. Most of the papers cited here can be read in full on our website at [cerp.org.uk](cerp.org.uk). This is an exciting and challenging time to work in assessment, and research is undertaken against a backdrop of lively discussion. AQA’s research is influenced by changes in policy, although we use our research to inform and advise, too. There is much work to be done, but as this compendium illustrates, we have come a long way. May I ta

FAQs

What is the purpose of Examining Assessment?

It compiles research abstracts from AQA and predecessor bodies to mark the 40th anniversary of the AQA Research Committee.

Which assessment topics are covered in the collection?

The contents address standards and comparability, aggregation and awarding, non-examination assessment, quality of marking, assessment validity, fairness and differentiation, assessment design, and stakeholders.

How does the book describe the evolution of research within the northern awarding organisations?

It traces early research activity through bodies such as JMB and NEAB, highlighting how research moved from initial units to more systematic and strategic development over time.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Sarah