30 August, 2025
Non-Examined Assessments
From the Headteacher
Most - but not all - external qualifications in Wales now have varied assessment methods. The most common of these are examinations and non-examination assessments (NEA). NEA is any type of assessment other than an exam which all candidates take at the same time under controlled conditions. They can include oral assessments, fieldwork, portfolio work and practical assessments.
It is considered that NEA:
- is a more valid and authentic way of assessing some aspects of a subject than a timed written examination
- is more engaging and motivating for some learners than exams
- provides a different way for learners to evidence what they know, understand and can do in a subject than a timed exam.
The amount of NEA varies by subject and contributes to the grading of each qualification. It is likely that candidates, particularly in Years 10 and 11, will be engaged in internal assessments throughout the school year. This makes good school attendance even more important as absenteeism may impact directly on final grades.
An indicative calendar for NEA is given below. Many dates are mandated by the examination board and cannot be changed. Other dates are yet to be released (meaning that the list is not exhaustive). All dates are subject to change.
Year 10
ART
Mock: 09 Jun
BUSINESS
23 Feb, 24 Feb, 25 Feb, 26 Feb, 27 Feb, 02 Mar, 03 Mar, 04 Mar, 05 Mar, 06 Mar, 10 Mar, 11 Mar, 12 Mar, 13 Mar, 16 Mar, 17 Mar, 18 Mar, 19 Mar, 20 Mar, 23 Mar, 24 Mar, 25 Mar, 26 Mar, 27 Mar
DRAMA
Mock: 10 Nov, 11 Nov, 12 Nov, 13 Nov, 14 Nov
ENGLISH
06 Oct, 07 Oct, 08 Oct, 09 Oct, 10 Oct, 13 Oct, 14 Oct, 15 Oct, 16 Oct, 17 Oct, 20 Oct, 21 Oct, 22 Oct, 23 Oct, 24 Oct, 06 Jan, 07 Jan, 08 Jan, 09 Jan, 12 Jan, 13 Jan, 14 Jan, 15 Jan, 16 Jan
Oracy: 24 Nov, 25 Nov, 26 Nov, 27 Nov, 28 Nov, 01 Dec, 02 Dec, 03 Dec, 04 Dec, 05 Dec, 22 Jun, 23 Jun, 24 Jun, 25 Jun, 26 Jun
HISTORY
02 Feb, 03 Feb, 04 Feb, 05 Feb, 09 Feb, 10 Feb, 11 Feb, 12 Feb, 13 Feb, 22 Jun, 23 Jun, 24 Jun, 25 Jun, 26 Jun, 30 Jun, 01 Jul, 02 Jul, 03 Jul, 06 Jul, 07 Jul, 08 Jul, 09 Jul, 10 Jul, 13 Jul, 14 Jul, 15 Jul, 16 Jul, 17 Jul
LEARNING IN THE OUTDOORS
24 Oct, 13 Apr, 14 Apr, 15 Apr, 16 Apr, 17 Apr
MUSIC
23 Mar, 24 Mar, 25 Mar, 26 Mar, 27 Mar
PE
20 May, [13 Apr, 14 Apr, 15 Apr], [15 Apr, 16 Apr, 17 Apr], [06 Jul, 07 Jul, 08 Jul]
RE
In the nine weeks following 04 Nov
MOCK EXAMINATIONS
19 Jan, 20 Jan, 21 Jan, 22 Jan, 23 Jan, 26 Jan, 27 Jan, 28 Jan, 29 Jan, 30 Jan
GCSE EXAMINATIONS
From 07 May until 19 Jun
Year 11
Art
Mock: 15 Dec
14 Apr, 16 Apr
DRAMA
01 Oct, 02 Oct, 03 Oct, 6 Feb, 27 Feb*, 02 Mar*, 03 Mar*, 04 Mar*, 05 Mar*, 06 Mar*, 10 Mar*, 11 Mar*, 12 Mar*, 13 Mar*
ENGLISH
Oracy: 19 Jan, 20 Jan, 21 Jan, 22 Jan, 23 Jan
FRENCH
Oracy: 21 Apr
GEOGRAPHY
In the half term following 03 Nov
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
NEA 1: 08 Sep, 09 Sep, 10 Sep, 11 Sep, 12 Sep, 06 Oct, 07 Oct, 08 Oct, 09 Oct, 10 Oct, 20 Oct, 21 Oct, 22 Oct, 23 Oct, 24 Oct
NEA 2: 15 Sep, 16 Sep, 17 Sep, 18 Sep, 19 Sep, 17 Nov, 18 Nov, 19 Nov, 20 Nov, 21 Nov, 12 Jan, 13 Jan, 14 Jan, 15 Jan, 16 Jan, 09 Feb, 10 Feb, 11 Feb, 12 Feb, 13 Feb, 10 Mar, 11 Mar, 12 Mar, 13 Mar, 20 Apr, 21 Apr, 22 Apr, 23 Apr, 24 Apr
PRESENTATION: 16 Mar, 17 Mar, 18 Mar, 19 Mar, 20 Mar
MUSIC
18 Mar, 19 Mar, 20 Mar, 08 May
PE
04 Feb, 04 Mar
SCIENCE
In the half term following 03 Nov
In the half term following 06 Jan
SPANISH
Oracy: 30 Apr, 01 May
MOCK EXAMINATIONS
24 Nov, 25 Nov, 26 Nov, 27 Nov, 28 Nov, 01 Dec, 02 Dec, 03 Dec, 04 Dec, 05 Dec
GCSE EXAMINATIONS
From 07 May until 19 Jun
*TBC
Year 12
CRIMINOLOGY
26 Jan, 27 Jan, 28 Jan, 29 Jan, 30 Jan, 15 Jun, 16 Jun, 17 Jun, 18 Jun, 19 Jun
MOCK EXAMINATIONS
24 Nov, 25 Nov, 26 Nov, 27 Nov, 28 Nov, 01 Dec, 02 Dec, 03 Dec, 04 Dec, 05 Dec
AS EXAMINATIONS
From 11 May until 19 Jun
Year 13
ART
Mock: 26 Jan
21 Apr, 28 Apr, 05 May
BIOLOGY
29 Apr, 30 Apr, 01 May
CHEMISTRY
06 May, 07 May, 08 May
CRIMINOLOGY
10 Dec, 11 Dec, 12 Dec
PE
14 Jan
PHYSICS
25 Mar, 26 Mar, 27 Mar
MOCK EXAMINATIONS
24 Nov, 25 Nov, 26 Nov, 27 Nov, 28 Nov, 01 Dec, 02 Dec, 03 Dec, 04 Dec, 05 Dec
A2 EXAMINATIONS
From 11 May until 19 Jun
