CCEA Support Events GCE AS 3 CHEMISTRY Practical Assessment – Practical Techniques NEW CENTRES Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown December 2014

Programme Introduction to AS Practical examination : Elaine Lennox (Subject Officer) How to prepare, set-up and conduct the AS 3 practical examination Head of Department AS 3 exemplar paper and mark scheme Discussion with Chair of Examiners Billy McAlpine (Chair of Examiners) Plenary

Programme Introduction to AS Practical examination : Elaine Lennox (Subject Officer) How to prepare, set-up and conduct the AS 3 practical examination Head of Department AS 3 exemplar paper and mark scheme Discussion with Chair of Examiners (Billy McAlpine) Plenary

AS – New Format New format introduced in the summer 2014 series Encompasses practical aspects taught in the theory units Practical exam split into 2 practical booklets: Practical Booklet A (24 marks) and Practical Booklet B (66 marks). Practical Booklet A will be a 1 hour 15 mins practical exam. –Q1: carry out a titration – Q2: observations exercise

Practical Booklet B will be a 1 hour 15 min practical theory examination  assesses data analysis, practical knowledge, and tests practical planning skills Section A:  Q1: answer questions and do a calculation on given titration data.  Q2: make deductions on given observations (or vice versa) for both inorganic and organic compounds Section B:  practical theory: planning exercise and questions testing knowledge of practical techniques, observations and calculations

Key Dates… Apparatus & Materials list: into centres at the end of February Instructions to Teachers document – Hard copy and online version: March ( – Support Materialswww.ccea.org.uk_chemistry Teacher’s Copy to test chemicals – 3 working days in advance (HoD only) Exam split over two days: –AC133: Practical exam (1 hr 15 mins) – Fri 8 th May (9.15 – 10.30) –AC134: Practical theory exam (1 hr 15 mins) – Wed 27 th May (9.15 – 10.30)

Support Past papers and mark schemes – on-line Support Documents on microsite: –Acceptable Colour Changes –Command words –Practical work support for teachers and pupils Textbooks and Revision Guides –Colourpoint: AS textbook –Hodder: AS 1, AS 2, A2 1 and A2 2 Revision Guides

The Process New procedures apply to the AS 3 and A2 3 practicals Feedback from teachers prior to assessment is essential if apparatus or materials issues identified Access to Scripts and Enquiry about Results services available Special consideration available – Apply through EO as normal “Instructions to Teachers” booklet - March 2015 – Hard copy issued this year – On Chemistry microsite – Support Materials

Feedback on AS 3 – Summer 2014 Very positive. Fewer malpractice accusations. No teacher marking issues. Only issue identified: Time split – Not enough time for practical. Exam split over two days: –AC133: Practical exam (1 hr 15 mins) – Fri 8 th May (9.15 – 10.30) –AC134: Practical theory exam (1 hr 15 mins) – Wed 27 th May (9.15 – 10.30)

More Information… This afternoon will cover more general information: –Apparatus & Materials list –Procedures –Invigilation Arrangements –JCQ Centre Inspection Service –Arrangements for marking and collection of scripts.

Reading Time… Exemplar Materials

How to prepare, set- up and conduct the AS 3 Practical Assessment David Spence HoD, Portadown College CCEA GCE Chemistry Senior Examiner

Apparatus & Materials Late February or early March Confidentiality Calculate required amounts of chemicals and apparatus Stock check (expiry dates) Order early (Scientific & Chemical)

Accuracy in set-up AS3 titrations usually simply involve two standard solutions Unknowns (Q2) –Do not prepare these too early –Masses/volumes of unknowns don’t need to be exact

Setting up labs Labs closed for two days prior to practical exam Bench Tray Trolley Fume cupboard

Setting up labs - BENCH Safety specs Burette and stand Pipette and filler White tile Funnel Indicator Bunsen and mat Test tube rack

Setting up labs - TRAY Conical flasks Beakers Test tubes, boiling tubes, bungs and holder Spatula, rod and splints Droppers Watch glass and nichrome Solutions for titration (Q1) Samples of unknowns (Q2)

Setting up labs - TROLLEY Trolley or central bench Reagent bottles (one per student): –silver nitrate, dilute acids/alkalis, limewater, dichromate, etc. Matches, lighters, paper towels, spares (droppers, test tubes)

Setting up labs – FUME C. As specified by app/mats list Empty test tube racks

Setting up labs – OTHER Kettle Spare sample bottles of titration solutions for Q1 and unknowns for Q2

Trialling the practical Very important to ensure lab is properly prepared One or two days before Carry out titration (Q1) Conduct all tests for Q2

On the day of the exam All students must be in school before the start of the first session Students supervised as they wait for their session (no phones, etc.) Invigilation – best way is to have two members of staff in each lab CCEA inspection – check whiteboard, wall displays, seating plan, JCQ document

On the day of the exam Between each session (~45 mins): –Collect scripts –Get students to re-set their benches and trays for the next group

On the day of the exam Scripts –Instructions and envelopes provided by school examination officer –Only complete report if something out of the ordinary takes place –Complete and sign documentation and bring scripts to examination officer for collection

New Specification Information…

Review of GCE No January series AS will remain part of the A-level qualification Remaining unitised Only one repeat opportunity per unit 40/60% AS/A2 Weighting Practical assessment grade remaining within the qualification – No major changes for AS theory or practical

Support for New Centres ? How can we support you in transition period

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