Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs) now available for Wave 2 Made-for-Wales qualifications

Following the publication of our approved specifications for the second Wave of our Made-for-Wales GCSEs and related qualifications, and in line with the Qualifications Wales’ agreed timeline, we have now published the associated Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs). These will support teachers and lecturers in their preparation for first delivery from September 2026. 

Commenting on this publication, Ian Morgan, WJEC’s Chief Executive: 

"The release of the Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs) marks an important step in supporting schools and colleges as they begin delivering these exciting new qualifications. The SAMs offer a preview of the assessment style and corresponding mark schemes, helping educators prepare for the first assessment series.

These materials are part of a wider support package being developed for each qualification. This package includes the approved Specification, SAMs, Teaching Guidance, and a range of free, adaptable digital resources.  In addition, the package will be supported by a schedule of in-depth, face-to-face Professional Learning opportunities available to schools and colleges across Wales during the spring term.  Together, the documentation, resources, and Professional Learning will assist teachers in delivering the qualifications effectively and align with the aims of the Curriculum for Wales."

Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs) demonstrate what an assessment may look like prior to there being any live assessment materials available. SAMs are produced to support teachers, lecturers and learners in understanding how content in the specification may be assessed. They provide sample questions and mark schemes that teachers and lecturers and learners can use in their assessment preparation.  

The SAMs are available to download from the following subject pages: 

GCSEs   

Non-GCSE qualification   

Utilising SAMs   

We recommend that teachers and lecturers utilise the whole raft of support that will be available when delivering our qualifications, which includes our Specification, SAMs, Guidance for Teaching and resources.    

SAMs can be used as part of teacher-directed activities or learner-directed activities. They can be used for examination practise once learning on a topic or unit has been completed. They can also be used as a guide for teachers or learners to create their own questions to evaluate learning and identify areas for improvement. It is really important to understand that the purpose of the SAMs is to illustrate what an assessment could look like in future examination series and therefore should be used once learning has been completed.  

In accordance with Qualifications Wales’ timeline, we will publish Guidance for Teaching in January; this Guidance will support teachers in preparing for assessment and will highlight opportunities for embedding aspects of the Curriculum for Wales into the delivery of the qualifications.  

Additional support 

We will provide a ‘SAMs walk-through’ blended learning module for teachers and lecturers and face-to-face training for each qualification which will include suggested teaching approaches and approaches to assessment.   

The SAMs walk-through will be a pre-recorded presentation designed to support learners, teachers and lecturers to understand the structure of non-examination assessments and question papers. It will detail question types, assessment objectives and marking methods and will be available to access via WJEC’s Portal secure website in the summer term 2026.   

In addition, we have bespoke FAQs which are  available here.   

FREE adaptable resources and Professional Learning  

To support the delivery of these qualifications, we will be producing a package of FREE adaptable digital resources. We will begin publishing these materials from the end of the autumn term, further information is available via the  following announcement.  

Alongside these resources, we are also delivering a tailored schedule of online and face-to-face Professional Learning opportunities. These FREE nationwide courses are available to centres across Wales. Each course will be delivered by trained subject experts who will provide insight into each qualification and offer pragmatic advice and guidance. Further information on these courses, including our Pan Wales Roadshow is  available here.  

To keep you up to date with the latest news, opportunities and FAQs regarding the new GCSEs and related qualifications, visit our ‘Made-for-Wales’ web area. This area hosts a wealth of material, including an introduction to our Qualification Development Team who are leading the creation of the new qualifications.