OCR GCSE Exam advice

Assessment Objectives In Section A each AO is given its own question. The questions can be in any order. Don’t mix them up! Look out for the keywords ‘Describe’, ‘Explain’, ‘Why’, ‘What’ Read the question

Assessment Objectives AO1 Knowledge Recall, select and organise relevant knowledge of society and values of the classical world. Facts. Key terms. Description. Details. Dates. etc eg ‘What political and religious buildings were there in the forum in Pompeii?’ [2010] ‘Describe what was sold in a thermopolium’ [2010] ‘Describe the layout of a typical townhouse’ [2013]

AO2 Understanding Demonstrate an understanding of society and values of the classical world. Explaining. eg Explain how a typical Pompeian town house (domus) might have been decorated [2011] For what other purposes did people write on the walls in Pompeii? [2011]

AO3 Interpretation and Evaluation Interpret, evaluate and respond to sources related to society and values of the Classical world. Evaluate: What does it mean? Why did they do that? What does it tell us about them? e.g Explain the advantages this type of layout gave a Pompeian family [2011] Explain why the riot broke out in the Pompeian amphitheatre. [2011]

SECTION A Range of ideas essential for 5 3 separate ideas + evidence ideal Quotations not necessary Usually on characterisation / lit style. Candidates need to show greater discussion of literary style Detailed comments essential Avoid generic answers such as similes make a scene more vivid, or a passage is descriptive Facts must be from whole episode (e.g. How Odysseus survives the storm is not just about Ino)

Source Based Questions Candidates should avoid overlap in their answers: even if the same information is relevant in both cases, they can’t be credited twice for the same thing. Candidates should watch out for questions asking them to look at things from an ancient perspective and be sure to address that aspect of the question.

Command Words Candidates should be encouraged to look carefully at the command word for each question so that they can target their answer at the correct assessment objective.

AO1: Knowledge Name… Outline… Describe… AO2: Understanding Explain how… (Explain why...) AO3: Interpretation and Evaluation Explain why… Explain whether/what Do you agree that…? Do you think that…?

Section A summary Choose wisely! Follow the AO1, AO2 and AO3 criteria. Keep it relevant. Include a range of ideas. Use detail. Keep to the timing: 5/5/5 Keep to within the lines provided. Don’t waffle!

ESSAYS! 30 marks = 30 minutes

AOs in Essay Questions The essays are worth 30 marks. AO1 Knowledge: 11 marks AO2 Understanding: 8 marks AO3 Interpretation and Evaluation: 11 marks

Each question includes 3 bullet points to guide candidates. The bullets are an expansion of the question and a gentle nudge in the right direction. The last bullet is always left open to remind candidates that they can include anything else of relevance. Candidates should make full use of the bullet points especially since they are there to tell them what the examiner will be looking for in their answer.

1.Chose a piece of factual information or evidence relevant to the question. 2.Explain the significance of the evidence. 3.Evaluate the piece of evidence in terms of the question. Eg The Macellum was one of the buildings in the forum – AO1 This building was used to buy and sell goods such as fish - AO2 This reflects the priorities of the citizens since many goods were brought into the harbour and traded in the Macellum giving the citizens their income and food supply - AO3

Essay questions will usually take the format of either a quotation followed by ‘How far do you agree with this…?’ or a ‘To what extent…’ or ‘How successfully…?’ type of question. Candidates should ensure that they address all parts/both sides of a question so that they can access all the marks on offer. Introductory paragraph can be useful here to define issue in question E.G. Is Odysseus a good leader? What does leadership entail?

Essay summary Plan! Always refer back to the essay title. Answer the question! Balance your essay answer. Make sure you combine AO1, AO2 and AO3 throughout the essay. Keep it to the point. Include a range of ideas.