THE government is being advised to urgently consider implementing rigorous “backup” assessments of pupils’ work if next year’s exams are cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Think tank Education Policy Institute (EPI) recommended that exam board assessments should replace mock exams to provide “contingency grades” if GCSE and A-level exams are cancelled for the second year running.

After exams were cancelled in the summer thousands of A-level students had results downgraded from school estimates by an algorithm. Exams regulator Ofqual then announced a U-turn, allowing them to use teachers’ predictions.

If 2021 exams can go ahead, the EPI’s report says that the Department for Education (DfE) should consider offering a greater choice within the papers so pupils have a better chance of answering questions.

The report adds that some grade inflation should be allowed as those sitting exams would be competing with the 2020 cohort for jobs, university and college places.

David Laws, executive chairman of the EPI, said: “We cannot see a repeat of the turmoil that we had in the summer.”

The report also says that teacher-assessed grades should be avoided until there is more evidence about reliability and impact on the most disadvantaged students.

Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said that moderated teacher-assessed grades are needed.

He added that, while the NEU “recognises the issues highlighted by the EPI,” algorithm-moderated grades would be possible if Ofqual and the DfE “move swiftly to have a more robust version this year.”

A DfE spokeswoman insisted that 2021 exams, currently to be delayed by three weeks, will go ahead “underpinned by contingency measures developed in partnership with the sector.” 

An Ofqual spokeswoman said that the regulator expects to “provide advice to the government” for a contingency plan this month.