An investigation of the effect of early entry on overall GCSE performance, using a propensity score matching method

Abstract

Previous research has shown (Gill, 2013) that certain groups of students performed worse than expected in some GCSE subjects when they were taken early (i.e. in Year 10). However, one possible reason for taking a GCSE exam early is to 'get it out of the way' to enable increased focus on other subjects in Year 11. This study used a propensity score matching method to investigate whether students entering early for GCSEs performed better or worse across all their GCSEs (or equivalents) than those who did not enter for any GCSEs early. In terms of overall GCSE performance, there did not seem to be any advantage in early entry after accounting for differences in the characteristics of the students in the two groups. However, when looking at all qualifications (including non-GCSEs), early entry students did perform better than those not taking any GCSEs early, to a statistically significant degree. Furthermore, early entry students were more likely to pass the five A* to C threshold measure.