New exam levels for ABL 2017
This year, we have a significant number of new qualifications we’ll be processing through ABL. View a list of the main board new exams for 2017. We will be adding these over the coming weeks, in three stages.
The first set of updates will cover exam boards AQA, OCR, PEARSON, WJEC, EDUQAS, CIE, CAO, and IB. These new exam levels will be made available tomorrow, Thursday 16 February, through the following methods:
- odbc-link: cvRefExam
- xml-link: getReferenceExamLevels
- web-link: in the Reference Information Menu section > Exam Levels
This first update also includes new exam levels for reformed A levels. As with the reformed AS levels, we have introduced these to provide greater ease of identification:
| A level | AS | |
| Taken in England | RE | 1E |
| Taken in Wales | RW | 1W |
| Taken in Northern Ireland | RN | 1N |
The grades and associated Tariff points for all the new exam levels will be added to the link products in May, to align with the Tariff process.
Access to HE Diploma – updated February 2017: proposed new results file format for Confirmation & Clearing 2017
For 2017 entry, we’re planning to change the way we provide results for the Access to HE Diploma. Instead of providing you with the overall Pass in the results field, you will now receive an aggregated result of Level 3 unit achievement. This aligns the grade profiles used for the allocation of Tariff points to the grade profiles used as part of ABL. The individual unit breakdown you have received previously will remain unchanged.
For example: applicant achieves an overall Pass and receives 30 Distinction, 15 Merit, zero Pass unit results for Level 3 graded units. You will receive: D30M15P0 in the results field, in addition to the unit/credit/grade profile.
Receiving detailed results will indicate that the applicant has passed the qualification.
2017 ABL summary and notes
The annual 2017 ABL summary document will be available in May – we’ve changed the timing to better align with the Tariff process. We’re working on a new, more accessible format, combining the summary and notes, so all the information is in one place. We’re consulting with providers and user groups to gain feedback on this new style, and will keep you informed of progress.