Case Studies
AQA GCSE Science Test Delivery
Introduction
In 2006, RM entered into a 5-year managed service agreement with the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA), the largest awarding body in England, to deliver on-screen GCSE science tests. The tests are delivered to centres using the same test delivery system used to deploy the KS3 ICT assessments, and so utilises the same robustness and security features that were designed for the delivery of high stakes test.
The on-screen GCSE science tests are delivered in three exam sessions across the year, with equivalent paper exams sat across the country at the same time. Since 2008 on-screen Functional Skills tests have also been delivered for AQA.
To effectively manage all of the deliverables over a series of tests, RM uses OGC PRINCE2 Project Management methodology. In addition, RM has defined a test series methodology, with clear accountabilities and communication lines between AQA, RM and the test centres.
How are the tests run?
Test centres are issued with series-specific instructions informing them how to use the QCA Test Delivery System to administer and run the on-screen GCSE science tests. A customer service desk and technical support helpline are available for test centres for advice and assistance.
As the on-screen tests are run in parallel to paper tests, AQA required the candidate registration and results reporting processes for the onscreen tests to be the same as those used for the paper tests. Centres make entries directly to the awarding organisation, which process and mark responses returned from the QCA test delivery system. After awarding, the results are issued to centres in conjunction with results from paper tests.
Once all responses have been returned to the awarding organisation, an End of Series report is issued to AQA, which reports upon the number of tests sat in each centre and a summary of all calls received by the service delivery teams.
Successful delivery
In March 2009, RM had successfully delivered 12 GCSE science tests, sat by over 3,600 candidates in over 60 centres. In January 2009, 5 Functional Skills tests (Maths, English and ICT) were sat by over 750 candidates in over 20 centres.
The GCSE science test delivery service forms part of RM’s ongoing managed service contract with AQA to develop and deliver on-screen tests across AQA’s assessment portfolio. In addition to delivering the GCSE science tests, RM is working closely with AQA on broadening their on-screen testing offering across other subject areas.