A new numeracy test is being piloted to help teenagers better prepare for real-life situations such as understanding phone bills and rent calculations. Colin Hughes, the chief executive of AQA, an awarding body in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, explains that the test aims to assess students’ proficiency in practical mathematics, not to make the subject easier. This online test is designed to cater to all students, including those who excel in academic mathematical areas but struggle with everyday math applications.
The AQA’s numeracy test could potentially offer students a mathematics proficiency certificate, similar to a driving licence or music grade, even if they do not pass a GCSE in mathematics. Sample questions could include scenarios like calculating net pay from a wage slip, choosing the most cost-effective phone contract, or determining the financial impact of a rent increase aligned with inflation. Other areas to be covered in the pilot test include managing a bank account, understanding interest rates, and measuring milk formula.
Mr Hughes emphasised that the aim of the test is not to simplify mathematics but to provide a platform for students to practice and test their skills in real-world scenarios. Around a third of GCSE candidates fail to achieve a grade 4 in maths each year, which is generally considered a pass by most employers and colleges. The new platform being developed aims to help students from the age of 14 to those in further education improve their practical mathematics skills.
Students often face challenges when transitioning from academic mathematics to real-life applications, and Mr Hughes highlighted that it’s not just the less-able students who struggle in this area. The pilot test intends to break the cycle of constantly resitting exams by offering a more practical approach to assessing mathematical abilities. While over 186,000 teenagers resat maths GCSE this summer, only 17.4% achieved a grade 4 or above.
Introducing a new qualification based on real-life numeracy skills would require government approval. The potential benefits of this initiative could help students gain essential math skills for everyday situations and provide them with a tangible certification of their proficiency, regardless of their performance in traditional GCSE exams.