| Joint Council for Qualifications | |
| Abbreviation: | JCQ |
| Predecessor: | Joint Council for General Qualifications (1998–2003) |
| Formation: | January 2004 |
| Location: | Millbank London, |
| Membership: | |
| Leader Title: | CEO |
| Leader Name: | Margaret Farragher |
| Affiliations: |
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| Website: | www.jcq.org.uk |
The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) is a community interest company acting as a single voice for the eight largest qualification providers in the United Kingdom offering GCSE, GCE, Scottish Highers and vocationally related qualifications: AQA, CCEA, City & Guilds, Edexcel, NCFE, OCR, SQA and WJEC.[1] The JCQ closely monitors examination administration, invigilation of exams at individual schools as-well as activities of exams officers.[2]
The JCQ was established in January 2004, succeeding the Joint Council for General Qualifications (JCGQ, 1998–2003). Its purpose is to bring together major educational and vocational examination boards in the United Kingdom and oversee testing standards. The JCQ should not be confused with Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation), which holds the authority to regulate and accredit British examination boards. The JCQ facilitates collaboration among its member awarding bodies to:
The JCQ provides rules and regulations concerning the exams. These are updated annually and published on their website.
British examination boards for GCSEs and GCE A-levels (i.e. AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, CCEA) are obliged to comply with JCQ's regulations, whereas Cambridge International are not obliged to comply with them for their international GCSEs.[3]