2. Understanding Standards Classical Studies (Higher)
An overview of course assessment

3. What this presentation covers
Changes to course assessment as a result of the removal of unit assessment as a requirement to complete the Higher
Clarification of course content as a result of engagement with centres

4. An overview of what is changed in assessment
The single question paper is replaced with two question papers
Paper 1 is called Classical Literature
Paper 2 is called Classical Society
Addition of two new 10-mark modern comparison/conclusion questions, one in Classical Literature and one in Classical Society
Consequential modification of marking of essay in Classical Literature, which is still worth 20 marks overall
Minor modification to 12-mark questions in Classical Society

5. An overview of what is unchanged in assessment
8-mark source questions
Assignment

6. New assessment structure
Question paper – 80 marks
Paper 1: Classical Literature – 1 hour 10 minutes (30 marks)
Paper 2: Classical Society – 1 hour 50 minutes (50 marks)
Assignment – 30 marks
Completed under controlled conditions 1 hour 30 minutes

7. Question paper 1 – Classical Literature
Candidates will be presented with two essays each based around one of the themes. They should complete one of these essays. The essays will no longer necessarily be preceded by a quotation. The essay will be marked out of 20 marks.
Candidates will also be presented with a modern source based on another theme. The candidate will compare and contrast the ideas within the source with the text(s) they have studied, and draw an overall conclusion. This question will be marked out of 10 marks.

8. Modification of marking of essay
As a result of the creation of the new 10-mark question on comparisons, the 6 marks allocated to modern comparison within the essay are removed, as is the component ‘identifying aspects of themes in the text’ (worth 3 marks). The essay is now marked as follows:
2 marks for an introduction
8 marks for analysis and evaluation
8 marks for use of knowledge
2 marks for a conclusion

9. Question paper 2 – Classical Society
The question paper will be divided into two sections:
Life in Classical Greece
Life in Classical Rome
Each candidate will answer questions on either Part A (Power and Freedom) or Part B (Religion and Belief)

10. Question paper 2 – Classical Society
Each section will consist of the following pattern of questions:
Either
An 8-mark question with a single source attached beginning with ‘Evaluate’
Two 12-mark questions beginning with ‘Analyse’ Or
An 8-mark question with three sources attached beginning with ‘How fully’
Two 12-mark questions beginning with ‘To what extent’
A new question will be included in one of these sections based around one of the sampling areas. The candidate will compare and contrast the ideas within the source with their knowledge of the sampled area, and draw an overall conclusion. This question will be marked out of 10 marks.

11. The new 10-mark modern comparison/conclusion question
8 marks are allocated to making comparisons using the source content and relevant knowledge
2 marks are allocated to making an overall conclusion on the similarities and differences between the source and the modern world within the appropriate context

12. Question paper 2 – Minor modification to 12-mark questions
Up until 2018, marks were awarded on a sliding scale - up to 8 for knowledge and 8 for analysis/evaluation
From 2019:
Up to 8 marks will still be available for knowledge
Up to 4 marks will be available for analysis/evaluation
It is hoped that this will provide a clearer idea for centres and candidates on how to approach this question.

13. An overview of what is changed and/or what is unchanged in course content
Additional detail of content in each sampling area for Power and Freedom and Religion and Belief
Streamlining of content of both Power and Freedom and Religion and Belief
Unchanged
Five contexts for Classical Literature