Education Minister Paul Givan has announced reforms to GCSE and A-Level qualifications administered by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment in Northern Ireland. The changes eliminate standalone AS-Levels and introduce a two-year modular A-Level with three assessment units. Schools can administer one unit at the end of Year 13, worth 30 percent of the final grade, and the other two at the end of Year 14 for 70 percent.

Most GCSEs will use linear assessment with exams at the end of the two-year course and a maximum of two papers per subject. GCSE English Language, Mathematics and Single and Double Award Science will stay modular. GCSE grading remains on the A*-G scale. Coursework and controlled assessment will lessen across qualifications, retained only for essential practical skills like science experiments.

Givan told the Stormont Assembly the reforms cut exam numbers compared to England, where AS results stopped counting toward A-Levels in 2017. He cited data showing only 7 percent of AS resits improve final A-Level grades. The changes respond to a consultation with limited support for fully linear A-Levels and stronger teacher backing to reduce controlled assessment than from parents or pupils.

UUP leader Jon Burrows warned reduced coursework raises exam stakes and stress. Sinn Féin MLAs Pat Sheehan and Cathy Mason argued the plans ignore consultation opposition and increase end-of-course pressure.

Givan countered that the current system delivers high testing volumes over four years and disadvantages pupils without home support for coursework, amid artificial intelligence impacts. He pledged schools support, training and guidance during specification development.

The reforms form part of the TransformED strategy, following a curriculum review. CCEA Chief Executive Gerry Campbell welcomed the framework and committed to stakeholder engagement for new specifications.

Teaching of revised qualifications starts in September 2029.