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Assessment and Qualifications Alliance

AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) is the largest exam board in England, administering more GCSE and A-Level entries than any other awarding organisation. Formed in 2000 through the merger of the Associated Examining Board (AEB) and the Northern Examinations and Assessment Board (NEAB), AQA is a registered charity headquartered in Manchester with a long history of providing fair, accessible qualifications.

AQA is known for its straightforward, clearly structured exam papers and comprehensive specification documents that make it easy for students and teachers to understand what is being assessed. The board offers GCSEs, A-Levels and a range of vocational qualifications across a wide variety of subjects, with particular strength in sciences, humanities and English.

AQA qualifications are accepted by all UK universities and are widely regarded for their rigour and reliability. The board invests heavily in research into assessment, ensuring that its qualifications are fair, valid and accessible to students of all backgrounds and abilities.

Key Facts About AQA

  • AQA is the largest exam board in England, processing millions of GCSE and A-Level exam entries each year.
  • AQA is a registered charity, meaning all revenue is reinvested into education and assessment research.
  • The board offers GCSEs, A-Levels and technical qualifications across more than 40 subjects.
  • AQA is particularly popular for sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), English and humanities subjects.
  • All AQA qualifications are regulated by Ofqual and accepted by every UK university.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is AQA harder than other exam boards? +
Exam difficulty is subjective and varies by subject. Ofqual regulates all exam boards to ensure comparable standards, so an A grade from AQA is equivalent to an A grade from any other board. However, individual students may find certain question styles or topics more suited to their strengths.
How do I find out which exam board my school uses? +
Ask your teacher or check your school website. Most schools select exam boards on a subject-by-subject basis, so you may study AQA for some subjects and a different board for others.
Where can I find AQA past papers? +
AQA publishes past papers, mark schemes and examiners reports on its official website for free. These are the most valuable revision resources available, and you should work through as many as possible.
Does AQA offer international qualifications? +
AQA primarily serves schools in England. For international qualifications, Cambridge International (CIE) and Edexcel International (Pearson) are the main providers.

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