ICT AS A level New Specification 2008

4.1Unit IT1 Information Systems(AS) Examination 4.2Unit IT2 Presenting Information (AS) Coursework 4.3Unit IT3 Use and Impact of ICT(A2) Examination 4.4Unit IT4Relational Databases(A2) Coursework

ICT1 60 % 2 hours 15 minutes Written Paper Unit title (ICT1) A written paper of two sections, presented in a question and answer booklet. There are no optional questions. Candidates will be required to prepare a spreadsheet on a specific topic, defined by WJEC, in advance of the written paper. Hard copies of the spreadsheet are taken into the examination and used to answer questions in Section B. This spreadsheet is submitted with the completed examination paper. Paper raw mark total: 80 Paper UMS total: 120

ICT2 40% Internal Assessment Unit title (ICT2) Candidates undertake DTP and multimedia tasks, presenting the outcome for internal assessment and moderation by WJEC. Unit raw mark total: 80 Unit UMS total: 80

ICT3 60% 2.5 hours Written Paper Unit title (ICT3) A written paper of two sections, A and B, presented as a question paper requiring a separate answer booklet. Candidates answer all questions in Section A Select one from two in Section B. Paper raw mark total: 90 Paper UMS total: 120

ICT4 40 % Internal Assessment Unit title (ICT4) Candidates analyse, design, implement, test and evaluate a solution to a problem of their choice requiring the use of a relational database. This is a substantial piece of work, undertaken over an extended period of time (as required by the subject criteria). Internally assessed and moderated by WJEC. Unit raw mark total: 100 Unit UMS total: 80

Unit 1 AS paper Section B It is proposed that candidates be set a task requiring the preparation of a spreadsheet. This would be a broad generic task set by WJEC (e.g. invoicing systems). Candidates would prepare a spreadsheet solution, in lesson time, supervised by the ICT teacher. No work would be completed outside of the classroom, and the finished spreadsheet would be printed out ahead of the written paper session. There will be controls on the hard copy taken into the examination, i.e. no annotation, only normal and formula views of the spreadsheet.

Structure of Assessment Section A 60 marks 45% Section B 20 marks 15% Coursework 60 % 40% Section B will account for 25% of the marks for ICT1.

Section B questions will relate specifically to spreadsheets. Candidates will be able to use their spreadsheet solution to answer in- depth questions on this application. The spreadsheet itself is not marked, but it is proposed that the printouts are submitted with the examination paper so that the examiner can see the links between candidates’ responses and their preparatory work.

It is proposed that the 80 raw marks are split 60:20 between Sections A and B. The advisory time split is 2:1, but this reflects the additional time needed to refer to the spreadsheet resource in answering Section B questions. Section B will account for 33% of the marks for ICT1. The unit is marked and reported as a single entity with a maximum UMS value of 120.

AS level 90 UMS for Section A – traditional exam questions 110 UMS coursework + Section B ‘coursework’ questions Consultation at INSET has shown that centres are reluctant to lose the in-depth spreadsheet work candidates currently undertake in Unit 3 of the AS specification neither do they want to lose the multimedia element so many candidates enjoy.

Availability of Assessment Units UnitJanuary 2009 June 2009 January 2010 & each subsequent year June 2009 & each subsequent year ICT1 ICT2 ICT3 ICT4

The context for the task in 2009/2010 is business modelling Candidates will only be given credit when providing practical evidence from their task to support their answers in the written examination.

worksheets showing labels, data, formula multiple sheets and the use of 3D referencing between them lookup or vlookup or hlookup tables drop down list boxes spinners for data entry logical True or False or Tick Boxes or Option boxes startup user interface validation techniques and error messages produced sorting techniques Search for specific criteria Control buttons should be used to initiate macros. Appropriate use of graphs such as bar or column graphs, line graphs, pie charts, scatter graphs, pictographs

Candidates should be familiar with the following formulas / standard functions: A –SUM –COUNT –MAX –MIN –AVERAGE –RAND B –SINGLE IF –MULTIPLE IF –DATE –ROUND and should include evidence of at least two formulas or standard functions from list A and two from list B in their workbook.

Simulation Modelling Candidates should understand and be able to discuss the following; Definition of a simulation model. Uses of simulation modeling for weather forecasting, car crash analysis and financial forecasting. Advantages and disadvantages of using simulation models. Issues relating to hardware used for simulation modelling, including parallel and distributed processing.