DfE right to provide formulae and equation sheets to students, says AoC

Eddie Playfair, Senior Policy Manager, said: "AoC welcomes the decision by the Department for Education to continue to provide formulae and equation sheets (FES) to all GCSE maths, physics and combined science exam candidates. We don’t think that students should be required to memorise formulae and equations as they did pre-pandemic. This is a view which got overwhelming support in Ofqual’s consultation.

“These formulae and equations are essential tools for solving problems in these subjects. But having the tools available is not the same as knowing how to use them, which is what students are assessed on. We don’t think that students should be penalised for not being able to recall a formula or equation in a stressful exam situation, even though they may have used it many times. Neither should they gain marks simply for recalling a formula.

“This is a sensible decision which values skill and understanding over memorising and recall. It will remove unnecessary pressure from many candidates and will have no impact on academic standards in these subjects.”