• What we do
• Policy development
• Unlocking Potential
• Our funding
• Our Executive Board
• Our Council
• Statements
• Child Protection Policy
• Customer Service Award Scheme
• Equal Opportunities Policy

The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) is the largest of the three English exam boards. AQA has a leading reputation for promoting education for the public benefit and draws on long experience of setting and marking public exams such as GCSEs, A-levels and other qualifications. We also offer first class support for teachers and learners.

Our work

We are the lead provider of qualifications for UK schools and colleges, awarding 49% of full course GCSEs and 42% of A-levels nationally. In total, students take over 3.5 million exams with us each year. The principal area of our work is in specification development and the preparation, production, delivery and marking of question papers leading to timely and accurate delivery of results to schools and candidates.

AQA employs 1050 permanent staff across our offices, headed by our Executive Board. AQA also works with about 35 000 teachers, lecturers, advisers and consultants who assist in setting and marking our exams.

Qualifications

We are committed to using modern technology to enhance the quality and accuracy of the examination process for the benefit of candidates.

We offer a broad range of qualifications available by academic or vocational pathway. Our vocationally-related and work-based qualifications promote lifelong learning and individual attainment and widen participation in education. Our Unit Award Scheme, Entry Level courses, Basic Skills tests, Key Skills tests and Access to Higher Education courses extend the portfolio we are able to offer schools and colleges.

We administer examinations for over 7000 schools, colleges and other institutions registered as AQA examination centres.

Our Values

AQA strives to be the provider of choice by offering qualifications that have high educational value, are valid, reliable and fair and are affordable and manageable for schools and colleges. We also aim to set and maintain appropriate standards which carry credibility.

At the heart of AQA's operations is the individual student. We aim to ensure that candidates' attainments are supported by best assessment practice and that their grades are a reliable statement of their achievement.

AQA works closely with teachers, schools, colleges, employers, higher education, Government and the Regulators to promote the smooth running and continuing development of the UK qualifications system to give every learner the opportunity to realise their potential.

AQA recognizes the tremendous achievement of its candidates and holds award ceremonies each year for A-level and GCSE to celebrate their success.

We are a proud and long-standing sponsor of the Association of Colleges' Beacon Awards and are delighted to present the Award for College/School Partnerships each year.