GCSEs and A-levels cancelled in England by the pandemic will be replaced by grades decided by teachers, the exams watchdog Ofqual has confirmed.
Schools can determine grades this summer by using a combination of mock exams, coursework and essays.
There will be optional assessments set by exam boards for all subjects, but they will not be taken in exam conditions nor decide final grades.
Results will be published earlier in August to allow time to appeal.
Schools minister Nick Gibb said the government had devised "the best system possible to ensure there is consistency and fairness in how teachers submit grades for their students".
Asked whether he accepted grades would be inflated this year, he told BBC Breakfast the government had put in place "different checking mechanisms" to ensure there was "consistency".
He added ministers had devised the "best system possible" to ensure "fairly awarded grades at a time when we don't think it's fair for [students] to sit the exams in the normal way."