The Department for Education and Ofqual are considering the potential use of Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs) as a contingency for the award of qualifications in 2022.  

It is the government’s firm intention that exams will take place in 2022, and although adaptations to qualifications have been confirmed, the DfE and Ofqual are consulting on proposals for the use of TAGs as a contingency arrangement in the event that exams are not able to go ahead.

The government recognises that any contingency plan has its drawbacks but believes that TAGs are the fairest way to assess students if exams are not able to go ahead, building on previous experience to make the system more consistent and reduce burden.

The consultation, covering GCSE, A/AS Level, project and AEA qualifications suggests ways to improve the TAGs process for students, teachers and schools/colleges if exams are cancelled.  Proposals cover:

• The type, volume and timing of the production of the evidence used to inform TAGs 
• The support given by exam boards to teachers determining TAGs 
• Quality assurance within schools and colleges and undertaken by the exam boards
• Appeals.