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The first results for the new Welsh-only maths GCSEs have been revealed - and most students got a D or below.

Students in Wales are now taking different maths exams with two, instead of one, maths GCSE qualifications.

One of the exams covers numeracy and one covers mathematics.

The first results were published today from students who took the exam early in November.

The grades for the maths GCSE The grades for the numeracy GCSE

Education Secretary Kirsty Williams said the exams were “part of extensive reforms... to give our young people the right skills and knowledge to thrive in the modern word".

She said: “Our national mission is to raise standards and make sure everybody has a chance to succeed.”

Are pupils taking exams too early?

Qualifications Wales, the independent regulator of qualifications in Wales, said it was concerned about the number of pupils who took the exam early and therefore couldn’t answer some of the questions.

It also fears some pupils had been entered for the wrong tier by their schools. It is carrying out research into the effect of early entry on exam results.

It said: "It is important that early entry opportunities are appropriately used for learners.

"There was some evidence in the data observed at the awards that learners did not attempt certain questions, which suggests that they had not yet fully covered the course at the time of the examination.

“We have launched a research project to gain a deeper understanding of early and multiple entry practices in GCSE examinations.

“There was some evidence in the data observed at the awards that some learners had been entered inappropriately for the intermediate tier.”

The two new maths GCSE maths qualifications, mathematics and mathematics numeracy – were introduced for first teaching in September 2015.

Data from the WJEC shows that in total there were more than 52,000 entries for the two new qualifications.

There were 23,000 entries for GCSE mathematics, 60 per cent of the national cohort, and 29,000 entries for GCSE mathematics numeracy or 90 per cent of the national cohort.

In a statement Qualifications Wales said: “The entry for both GCSEs is much larger than has been seen in previous November series, which suggests that the nature of the cohort, including the range of learner ability, has changed."

Results cannot be compared to the old maths GCSE

The WJEC and Qualifications Wales said results could not be compared with previous maths GCSE results because they are significantly different to the qualification they replaced.

The new GCSE numeracy qualification assesses mathematics that pupils will need in their everyday lives, in the world of work, and in other general curriculum areas.

The new GCSE mathematics extends to aspects of mathematics needed for progression to scientific, technical or further mathematical study.

What was previously a single GCSE qualification is now two separate and distinct qualifications with three tiers of entry – Foundation, Intermediate and Higher that target different grades and replace the two that previously existed.

Philip Blaker, Chief Executive of Qualifications Wales said: “The new GCSE Mathematics and GCSE Mathematics Numeracy qualifications are significantly different to the previous GCSE Mathematics qualification - and indeed to each other - with each assessing different content and skills.

“We have closely monitored the awarding of this qualification and we are content that the grade boundaries set by WJEC are appropriate and that the GCSE standard has been maintained.

“Commentators must use caution when looking at these results. Due to the significant changes in these new qualifications no direct comparisons can be made between these results and those in previous November series for the former GCSE Mathematics qualification.”

'Students and teachers should be extremely pleased'

WJEC chief executive Gareth Pierce, said: “Students and teachers in Wales should be extremely pleased with the successes demonstrated by the results in both these new qualifications.

“With the November assessment series opportunity occurring just two months into the school year, there is of course plenty of time remaining within Year 11 for those candidates who wish to aim for improvement on the grade achieved on this occasion.”

NUT Cymru Policy Officer Owen Hathaway said: “We congratulate all those pupils and teachers who have gained excellent results in these qualifications. We must recognise that with these being new GCSEs it is somewhat difficult to make any significant assumptions or comparisons. It will be important to really delve into the data to see what it is telling us about overall performance, as well as mapping out any issues to their delivery in future.”

When new qualifications are introduced, research has shown that performance can be adversely affected by a lack of familiarity, known as the ‘sawtooth effect’. In order to protect learners when exams are reformed the grade boundaries are adjusted to mitigate for this.

“It is important to note that grade boundaries will only be adjusted to a point where standards are still appropriate,” said Qualifications Wales.

The Breakdown of results from WJEC

GCSE Mathematics

A* 5.8%

A 4.1%

B 13.6%

C 22.7%

D 19.8%

E 14.2%

F 5.8%

G 5.3%

Failed = 8.7%

GCSE Mathematics – Numeracy