1. GCSE I.C.T Exam board is Edexcel A*- G GCSE grades Current class sizes of approx. 25 students (KS3 classes have been 31) Presented by Mrs Stapleton

2. Overview 40% Exam taken at the end of Year 11 60% Controlled Assessment (C/A) during Year 10+11 4 x C/A activities– multiple tasks in each activity Lots of reviews and investigations– critical analysis/ independence Spreadsheet model is the most complex task Controlled conditions - majority of C/A completed in school – 40 hours. Exam board chooses theme/tasks each year

3. Controlled Assessment Skills are taught first using mock scenarios, so that students can improve their knowledge, confidence and problem solving skills. These are assessed by the teacher so that when the students start the C/A they are better prepared. During the C/A teachers are allowed to give feedback, which must be recorded by the student. There are some research/preparation tasks that can be completed outside of controlled conditions. Teachers record the exact amount of minutes each student is present in C/A, so students who are absent won’t be at a disadvantage (time-wise).

4. Controlled Assessment continued… Emphasis is on self evaluation and gathering reliable information. Current theme is a music festival: Logo Research Database of artists Teaser video Audio clip for radio advert/promo Promotional app Spreadsheet model (expenditure) Downloadable flyer Business presentation Sources Table Evaluations

5. Exam – 90 minutes, 80 marks Topic 1. Personal digital devices - each year a ‘technology update’ is released to show which devices could be included in the paper Topic 2. Connectivity Topic 3. Operating online Topic 4. Online goods and services Topic 5. Online communities Topic 6. Issues - security, privacy, health and safety, legal, ethical, environmental

6. Exam Continued… The examination paper consists of five compulsory questions. Each question has several parts. A variety of question styles are used: multiple-choice, short answer and extended-writing.

7. Quality of written communication (QWC) In all assessments students will be assessed on their ability to: ensure that text is legible and that spelling, punctuation and grammar are accurate so that the meaning is clear select and use a form and style of writing appropriate to purpose and to complex subject matter organise information clearly and coherently, using specialist vocabulary when appropriate.

8. Grade boundaries These can change each year (in both directions). Both types of assessment are worth a maximum of 80 marks. In June 2013 the boundaries were: MarkGrade 53A* 49A 45B 41C 35D 29E Exam MarkGrade 68A* 59A 50B 41C 35D 29E C/A

9. Grade boundaries continued… Due to the changing nature of boundaries we tend to work on the principle of an A*=90%, A=80%, B=70%, C=60%...