“The exams system in the UK works well and there is a very low level of malpractice. The vast majority of the several hundred thousand people involved in the exams system act with integrity and professionalism”. This is the view of the Independent Commission on Examination Malpractice commissioned by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) to consider ways to reduce malpractice in both general and vocational assessments.

Despite the Commission’s findings that the system is robust and that relatively little malpractice occurs, the Commission has noted a number of areas for improvement to further minimise incidents of malpractice.

The 176-page report of the year-long detailed review of the current system makes 78 recommendations in total including:

• Agree a single definition of malpractice
• Clarify the role of heads of centre in preventing and investigating malpractice
• Future-proof the system against new technology-based malpractice whilst using new technologies to prevent and investigate malpractice
• Consider an on-line database of certificated results in order to prevent forgery of paper certificates
• Improve the clarity of JCQ documentation and communications
• Rationalise the demands on centre staff workload
• Improve support for exams officers and increase levels of training for all staff involved in malpractice and invigilation in schools, colleges and the workplace
• Improve malpractice data
• Consult with awarding organisations on more ways to prevent malpractice in centre-based assessment
• Review awarding organisation centre inspection processes and increase the capacity of the JCQ centre inspection service to inspect vocational and technical assessment provision.

JCQ will issue a report in September 2020 to highlight progress on the implementation of recommendations from the Commission.

JCQ is the membership organisation representing the eight largest providers of qualifications in the UK.