The pre-release scenario for this exam was put on the main Edexcel website on Wednesday 28th.  However, the test data files have not been released.  The candidates are meant to have 'at least 3 working weeks' to prepare for this exam.  Obviously as staff teaching this course, we need to prepare for our lessons.  We now only have 3 working weeks left (2 this term and 1 in January) before the window for this exam.  Some schools have even less.  Is there anyone in the communities who can bring pressure to bear on the powers that be to give us a fair chance at this?  The problem does not seem to be repeated for the summer session so why are the January candidates penalised in this way?

I agree with you on the timing issue. Can we discuss the pre-released scenario with students now.  Not delivered Unit 3 before.  Is there any point in going through scenario without data files and ss model?  Would I just make things worse for them?

As usual, the pre-release isn't released until the last minute and this time without the SS Model. We need to start going through the model asap, but with no model and no example data how can any one get further than summarising the situation and a general/vague discussion on how the SS may function.

I agree - we are short of three weeks already as we scheduled the Unit 3 very early in January. It is appalling how Jan candidates are disadvantaged.

 Please release the datafile ASAP
 

 I spent hours on the phone trying to explain to Edexcel that the release date was disadvantaging our students but they were not interested. No one was available to discuss the matter although when I phoned back a week later, having had no response,  I was told that my call reference had a note against it to the effect that the dates in the ICE document stood and they were non negotiable.  I decided the rest of the country must have shorter Christmas holidays than us.  We have written in to complain but that does not help the students this year.  Yes please release the data files ASAP for both units 3 and 7. We have to teach in the same room as is used for testing, there is no where else with computers available so lessons for sixth form have to be suspended.

Hi

I am also teaching unit 3 for the first time and I am also worried about the time we have left. Did you say that the pre-release material is already available online? I have been looking everywhere but can't seem to find it. Can you help? thanks.

 On the main edexcel site select GCE then ICT at the next screen select Advanced Level and the scenario is there when you scroll down. It is not where it should be under AS Level. I agree with everyone so far about the lack of seeing the problem from the teachers point of view. Last year because our holiday times were a week later than everyone else my students only got the model two weeks before the exam window.

The ICE document says that the spreadsheet and test data will be available on 10 December.  For us this is exactly three working weeks before the exam window.  Once I have had time to look at the spreadsheet, like many/all others, my students will ahve less than the three working weeks they are meant to have to prepare for the examination.  Not good organisation.

Thanks jc, found them. Well looks like here goes another weekend trying to figure the model out, but like you said it would be useful to have the model.

3 weeks before the exam.

SS Model available from 10th Dec. That leaves 2 weeks until the end of term. Like many schools, we are work all the way to 21st and don't return until 7th Jan; the start of the exam window.

I have spoken to the Qualification and Delivery Award Manager for ICT and she has provided the following response;

 

"Having read your messages, we would like to let you know some of the background to the dates of the release of these materials.  The Instructions for Conduct of Examinations published on 1st September 2007  provided the following information : Unit 3 – The Knowledge Worker (6953)
These dates relate to sections 6, 7 & 8 of this ICE document. Please ensure all details within these sections are read.
Examination schedule Pro-forma completed	1st December 2007	Details of exam schedule received by Edexcel
Pre-released scenario	3 weeks before the examination window	These can be issued to all candidates from this time
Spreadsheet model & Practice data files	10th December 2007	These can be issued to all candidates from this time
Secure data files	4th January 2008	These must only be issued to candidates at the exam
Examination Window	14th January -18th January 2008

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pre-released scenario was published on the website well before the examination window to account for differences in holidays for the Christmas period. 

 

The practice data files were always intended to be released on the 10^th December 2007 as stated in the ICE document. This allows candidates five weeks between the release of the practice data files and the beginning of the examination window.  It is not possible to release these practice data files any earlier for the forthcoming examination materials as many centres are working on the details found in the ICE document. No complaint from any centre regarding the intention of these release dates has been received in the preceding months. However, your feedback is valued and the dates for the release of these materials in forthcoming winter examination series will be reviewed by the Senior Examining team.

 

 The practice data files are being released this year at around the same time as last year. Last year the practice data files were made available around the 11^th December 2006.

 

The ICE document for the June 2008 examination series will be published on the 1^st February 2008, with the dates for the release of all data files already available from your Examinations Officers in our key dates document. "

Tom Shooter:

 Thank you for the detailed reply.  I think the problem this year is caused by the lack of the model the same time as the scenario.  The Qualifications and Delivery Award Manager is right that the datafiles were not released last year until around 11th December but the model was released with the scenario on the 4th December.  The scenario on its own, whilst useful, is not enough for staff to start planning the exam preparation sessions before the 3 week window.  This is a significant change in Edexcel's procedures that has had a detrimental effect on the planning for this examination.  Who made this decision or is it just a misunderstanding as to what constitutes 'practice data files'?

I take the point that the dates were in the ICE document but it would have been a kindness to have flagged up this major change in Edexcel procedures.  If this had been done, I have no doubt that there would have been many letters of complaint. 

 Could you please let us know to whom to address our concerns in this matter?  I am sure many colleagues as well as myself wish to write officially in order to try to prevent this situation happening again in the summer.  I have had a look at the online version of the Key Dates document and it says that the data files will be released on the 23rd April.  It does not mention the model. 

Having posed the same question at a training session with Trevor Heathcote at our centre, we were told that the students had several weeks in which they should prepare, independently, as this is the expectation at A' level standard and that the tutors were not supposed to interpret and feed the students as this leads to tutor led answers.  This would mean they did not necessarily have to be at College for all the preparation time.  One would beg the question, therefore, why there is a mention of working weeks.

These papers are difficult enough for staff to interpret.  16 year old students do not generally have such skills.  This is AS and if performed as part of the Single Award, does not have to be taught alongside any applications unit - therefore how could students comprehend the workings of an elaborate spreadsheet.  I would appreciate if a brief was given to staff as to how far they need to 'go' with the model - as I have found myself getting bogged down with complex solutions. 

Looking forward to sharing my thoughts and solutions when we receive the model and practice data tomorrow.

 bmalone@belfastmet.ac.uk

We have just completed one of the two  Year 12 ICT lessons for this week which is in the third working week leading up to the exam window. The unit 3 model is not online as promised and our students now have only 2 working weeks to prepare since next weeks lesson is on Friday pm. Of course this is assuming that the model is available for this Friday. Are the guidelines 3 working weeks or "at least 3 working weeks"?

With regard to the unit 7 date of 4th Jan. Presumably we have to go into school over the holiday to set up the systems for the first exam on these files. Is it not possible to release them this week or next then at least teachers will have time to test things.

Hi all,

The datafiles have been live on Edexcel Online since 9.30 this morning.

Comments on this board will be borne in mind during planning for the release of subsequent series' data files. We'll keep you aware of these plans, perhaps on this board as well as elsewhere as it seems to be a good way to communicate and collect feedback.

If you do feel you need to complain about the release of datafiles, please write to the Qualification Delivery and Award Manager for Business & ICT at the normal Edexcel address.

Thanks,
Tom