The regulator revealed that a total of 12 errors were identified across the exam materials. These mistakes led to grading issues and, in some cases, students initially receiving incorrect results. Ofqual described the failures as unacceptable and said students deserve accurate and reliable exam assessments after years of study.
Two of the most significant errors were only discovered after results day. As a result, 37 students had their grades increased by one level. Of these, 33 were AS-level students and four were A-level candidates. The corrections were made after the exam board reviewed the errors and adjusted the marks accordingly.
Other issues were detected earlier in the process. Some mistakes were identified before the exams took place, prompting correction notices to be issued to schools. In other cases, errors were discovered before results were released, allowing examiners to award full marks to students for the affected questions.
Ofqual said Cambridge OCR failed to ensure that the exam content was properly checked and suitable for use. The regulator also criticised the organisation for not having clear arrangements for schools to request adjustments to marks when errors were found.
Amanda Swann, Ofqual’s executive director for delivery, said the mistakes caused unnecessary anxiety for students during their exams. She emphasised that exam boards must maintain high standards to ensure fairness and accuracy.
The Institute of Physics also responded to the issue. Chief executive Tom Grinyer said it is important that such problems are not repeated in the future, particularly as interest in studying physics continues to grow among students.
Cambridge OCR has apologised to affected students and teachers. A spokesperson said the organisation accepts Ofqual’s decision and acknowledged it failed to meet the high standards expected. The exam board added that it has carried out a detailed root cause analysis and is improving its processes to prevent similar errors in future examinations.
The development comes as Ofqual explores proposals to introduce digital assessments. Under a new consultation, some GCSE and A-level exams could be taken on screens by 2030 as part of a gradual shift away from traditional paper-based tests.