YEAR 10 and 12 pupils will not be required to sit their summer exams at a later date following the outbreak of the coronavirus, Minister for Education Kirsty Williams has announced.

This follows the examples set for pupils sitting their final GCSE or A-level exams, who will instead be given a grade "based on their performance on a range of classroom and external assessments and on their overall commitment to their studies and ability in the subject,” according to Ian Morgan, chief executive of exam provider WJEC.

For Year 12 pupils, this means will still receive an AS grade. However, it will be calculated using a range of evidence, including teacher assessed grades.

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Next year, these pupils can choose to either only sit the A2 units, with the A level grade based on their performance in the A2 units, or to sit both the AS and A2 units.

They will be awarded the best grade from either route.

Year 10 learners who were due to sit exams that would have led to a GCSE this summer will be issued a grade based on evidence including teacher assessments during the academic year to date.

Those who were due to sit units that will lead to GCSE results next summer will not receive a unit result. Instead, they will either sit only the units they plan to take in summer 2021, with their GCSE grade based on that performance only, or sit the Year 10 units in summer 2021, along with the Year 11 units.

Like the current Year 12s, they will be awarded the best grade from either route.

“In these unprecedented times, it’s vital we provide as much certainty to young people as we can, especially those who were due to sit important exams this summer," said Ms Williams. "This has not been an easy decision, but I’m confident these measures for Years 10 and 12 are the best way forward and will provide clarity for those students who were anxious about how their hard work would be recognised.

“Since the decision to close schools and cancel this summer’s exams, we have worked as quickly as possible to develop the detailed information students need.

“I would like to thank students for their patience and I will continue to provide updates to students as soon as I can.”

Philip Blaker, chief executive for Qualifications Wales, said: "In very difficult circumstances we think this offers the best approach for learners studying for AS and those in Year 10.”