Our work and aims

We work with the UK’s leading awarding organisations to provide clear, consistent and practical guidance for the administration of general and vocational qualifications. By aligning processes and sharing best practice, we help schools, colleges and other educational establishments deliver assessments fairly, securely and efficiently. 

Through collaboration with our members, regulators and the wider education community, we develop and maintain robust systems that support the integrity of the qualifications system. Our focus is on reducing complexity and promoting consistency, enabling centres to concentrate on supporting their students. 

Although JCQ works closely with UK qualifications regulators and government departments, it is not a regulator, does not set policy, and cannot direct awarding organisations or centres.

In line with our Articles of Association, our aims are achieved through coordinated action with our member awarding organisations and key stakeholders. By working together, we ensure that schools, colleges, other educational establishments and the wider education community are supported by robust and effective systems for the secure, fair and consistent delivery of assessments. 

We aim to: 

• Reduce bureaucracy for schools and colleges by facilitating and delivering common administrative arrangements for examinations. 
• Provide a forum for strategic debate, information exchange and expression of common interest amongst awarding organisations. 
• Enable founding member awarding organisations to jointly express views and collectively respond to national issues. 
• Provide a channel for collective discussion with key stakeholders including the Higher Education sector, teachers, and their representative organisations.