A2 Support Days 2nd March 2009 – Stormont 4th March 2009 - Limavady GCE Physics A2 Support Days 2nd March 2009 – Stormont 4th March 2009 - Limavady

Agenda Introduction Administration of AS 3 Marking the A2 3 practical assessments (internal assessment)

Local support Support events – Oct 2008 – March 2009 Personalised support and visits on request

Our support online Specification Specimen papers and mark schemes Chief Examiner’s reports with advice for improving examination performance Student Guides Microsite http://www.ccea.org.uk/physics/ Schemes of work (Word versions)

Our support online contd Coming soon Student podcasts with advice on how to prepare for the examination Senior Examiner podcasts with advice on improving examination performance

Our support online contd Exemplification of standards AS September – November 2009 A2 September – November 2010

Award of A* An A* will be awarded to the candidates who: attain an overall grade A in the qualification; and an aggregate of at least 90% of the uniform marks across the A2 units. Final decision May 2009

GCE Physics Revised Specification AS 3 Arrangements (Summer 2009)

Apparatus and Materials List Preliminary information re: Apparatus and Materials Confidential Manufacturer/serial code sometimes specified Contact Subject Officer if problems arise with sourcing apparatus or materials

Confidential Instructions Guidance on setting up and testing apparatus Contact Science Subject Officer (khenderson@ccea.org.uk) immediately if range of results differ from Confidential Instructions CCEA Subject Officer will advise you on what to do.

Access to Question Papers 48 hours in advance of practicals Final apparatus testing Problems eg. results do not match ranges on confidential instructions – contact CCEA Subject Officer If problems persist – e-mail CCEA Subject Officer and Support Officer with: Centre name & number Nature of problem and range of results Response from CCEA within 24 hours to acknowledge receipt of e-mail No response – phone CCEA (028 90261406) Information passed to Examiners so candidates receive credit

Marking Practicals CCEA mark scheme from School Exams Officer available immediately after practical is complete EVEN IF EQUIPMENT IS PRODUCING RESULTS DIFFERENT TO MARK SCHEME, SCRIPTS MUST BE MARKED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE VALUES STATED ON THE CCEA MARK SCHEME. CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN BY THE EXAMINER CHECKER WHO WILL HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF ANY PROBLEMS Papers and mark schemes are confidential Secure storage Not left unattended Not marked in presence of students Not marked in public place or public transport Can be marked at home or in centre provided papers and mark schemes secure

Internal Standardisation Required when more than one teaching group in centre Must take place before marking commences HOD selects and photocopies 3 scripts across teaching groups Marked independently and agreement reached on awarding of marks TAC 2 form completed – you retain bottom copy

Recording Results On completion of marking – marks recorded on TAC 1 (OMR) form CENTRES MUST RETAIN BOTTOM COPY OF TAC 1 (OMR) FORM – KEEP THIS IN A SECURE PLACE

What do you return to CCEA? Top copy of the completed TAC 1 (OMR) form (you retain bottom copy) Top copy of completed TAC 2 internal standardisation form (you retain the bottom copy) Candidates completed scripts arranged in candidate number order (as on TAC 1 form) Envelopes will be provided

Examiner Checking Examiners check all scripts Will ensure mark scheme applied correctly Will amend marks if necessary List of final marks as part of Modular Results Report (available from School Exams Officer on Issue of Results date) Check final marks against your copy of TAC 1 form You can query results through “Enquiry about Results” service (closes 20th Sept)

Teacher Support Standardising Meetings - October/November Led by Senior Examiners and Subject Officers Practise marking real scripts Attendance at first series of meetings is strongly recommended

Timing for AS 3 Practical

Managing AS 3 in Lab. Part A (4 short experiments) done first by all candidates as circus of experiments -1 hour Then Part B (analysis of experimental data) done by all candidates – 30 minutes

Staying informed For information on all our support events go to www.ccea.org.uk Click on the Events icon (top left)

Contacts Officer with subject responsibility: Kevin Henderson Email: khenderson@ccea.org.uk Telephone: 90 261406 Specification Support Officer: Catriona Skelton Email: cskelton@ccea.org.uk