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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Benjamin Lynch

How to find advanced topic information for GCSEs and A-Levels as exams return for 2022

With the risk of sounding like a tired teacher frustrated at their pupil's lack of revision: believe it or not, summer exams really are not that far away.

Exams come around fast and it's important for students to be as prepared as possible as they take the next step on the way through the country's education system.

The release of advanced information is designed to help A-Level and GCSE students prepare for their exams and focus their revision on the topics that matter.

It's the first time in two years that summer exams are being sat. The last two rounds of tests were cancelled due to the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

So how can students get their hands on the information and what do they need to know?

Where can I get advanced information about my exams?

The coronavirus pandemic has been difficult for students (Getty Images)

Students sitting AQA exams can find all the information they need on the AQA website. The page can be tailored to the qualification level you need and the specific subject.

Further information can be found in the following list:

The advanced information doesn't apply to ancient history, history, English literature, art and design and geography exams.

Further information about these subjects is yet to be published.

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said: "We know students have faced challenges during the pandemic, which is why we’ve put fairness for them at the forefront of our plans.

"The information to help with their revision published today, as well as the range of other adaptations, will make sure they can do themselves justice in their exams this summer."

Why is advanced information being released?

Nadhim Zahawi hopes the move will make things fairer for students (AFP via Getty Images)

The hope is that after all the disruption caused by the pandemic the advanced information will help and will be specific to the type of questions being asked.

'Synoptic' questions are designed to be broad and test a pupil's wider thinking. For these questions, there will be no advance information as it will not help students to limit their revision.

Some subjects will have all topics listed, making revision lists very clear, while English language exams include the genre or period of unseen texts.

The publication of the information was delayed until February 7 in order for schools not to narrow their curriculums to only the advanced information shared.

National Education Union General Secretary, Dr Mary Bousted, said this came too late and that there are "grave concerns" among teachers.

She said: "The release of this 'advanced' information comes too late. There are grave concerns amongst teachers of exam groups that this will not be enough to fairly mitigate the disruption these students have experienced over two academic years.

"The Government’s intention of releasing this information only in time for revision and not to aid teaching and learning, always carried with it a critical flaw. If one of the topics you see on the list today is one you couldn’t cover at all or in as much depth through no fault of your own, due to Covid-related disruption, what do you do now?"

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