Exam Board

In the UK and international education systems, exam boards are independent organizations responsible for developing qualifications, writing examination papers, setting mark schemes, and awarding grades. Unlike the IB (which is a single organization) or AP (administered solely by the College Board), the A-Level and IGCSE systems allow multiple exam boards to offer qualifications in the same subject, each with its own specification, assessment structure, and style.

The main exam boards operating in the UK and internationally are: AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance), the largest UK exam board by entry numbers; Edexcel, operated by Pearson, which offers both UK and international (Edexcel International A-Level) qualifications; OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations); and Cambridge International Education (CIE), a division of Cambridge Assessment that offers Cambridge International A-Levels and IGCSEs globally.

The choice of exam board matters because specifications can differ significantly in content coverage, assessment methods, and exam style. For example, AQA A-Level Chemistry and OCR A-Level Chemistry cover the same broad topics but may emphasize different areas, use different practical assessment approaches, and set questions in different styles. Students and tutors should always work from the specific exam board's specification and use exam-board-specific past papers for revision.

Schools typically choose which exam board to follow for each subject, and this choice is usually made by the head of department. International schools outside the UK most commonly use Cambridge International or Edexcel International qualifications. When seeking tutoring support, it is important to identify the specific exam board and specification code, as a tutor experienced with AQA Physics may need to adapt their approach for a student following the Edexcel specification.