AQA acquires GradeMaker, the leading high stakes assessment authoring and item banking platform

Published: Tuesday 4 Apr 2023

We've acquired GradeMaker, a specialist assessment technology company, with the aim of expanding the platform's capabilities to deliver even better services for all its customers.

GradeMaker is an assessment authoring and item banking solution, trusted by awarding bodies around the world to create high stakes examination papers and other assessments.

AQA has already been using GradeMaker for four years to author assessment items and exam papers securely and reliably across a wide range of subjects.

GradeMaker Pro is now used to develop more than two thirds of all GCSE and A-level exam papers developed by AQA, and continued investment will enable greater adoption across more subjects, as well as enabling the authoring of on-screen exams and assessment.

GradeMaker also offers comprehensive training, implementation and support services for awarding bodies at every stage of their digital assessment journeys, whether they are just starting out, or are digital leaders seeking to optimise the quality and security of their assessments.

GradeMaker is our fifth strategic acquisition since early 2022, following AlphaPlus, Blutick, Project Q and TQUK. All will underpin AQA's ability to deliver on its charitable purpose of advancing learning and teaching by providing the best educational assessment across the widest possible range of learners.

Colin Hughes, AQA's Chief Executive, said:

"Bringing GradeMaker into the AQA group is a key component of our strategy to lead digital change in examinations.

"It also builds on our strategy to diversify across educational assessment more widely, and we will aim to bring different subjects and types of assessment onto the platform.

"The acquisition of GradeMaker is a further demonstration of our determination to put quality of service to teachers and learners front and centre of our aims.

"Working together with our other acquisitions such as Alphaplus, our assessment consultancy, and TQUK, our recently acquired vocational and technical qualifications provider, GradeMaker will enable us not only to enhance what we deliver domestically, but also to extend our services to teachers and learners around the world."

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