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Re: November Grade Boundaries (Science 2011 Spec)

Anonymous — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

We also had very disappointing results from the November entry, and were given a similar reply (excuses!) from Edexcel. As a result, we decided to withdraw the whole cohort from the March exams until we decided on a plan of action. In the end we entered the whole cohort to resit the Biology paper (yesterday) they first took in November as well as the Physics 1 paper next week. As an experiment, we recently gave the top two sets in Year 10 the Edexcel (March) Physics 1 paper followed by the AQA PH1HP the following day. These were taken in strict exam conditions, marked in accordance with the published marking guidelines and graded using the published (raw mark) grade boundaries. The results were very interesting! For the Edexcel P1 exam, the A*/A figure was 13%, A*-B was 26% and A*-C was 57% (much lower than target grades predicted). For the AQA PH1H paper the A*/A figure was 13%, A*-B was 57% and A*-C was 98% - and there were questions on the AQA exam that are not covered by the Edexcel specification (specific heat capacity etc.) that they had not been taught! The Deputy Head in our school has taken a keen interest in the results of these Physics 'mock' exams and wants us to move back with AQA.

Unit 4 GCE Coursework Fears !

Anonymous — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Unit 4 Fears related to Coursework.

Anonymous — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Clarification for GCE Early Modern History - clash?

Anonymous — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Hi,

Our centre is introducing an extra pathway that solely concentrates on Early Modern History, as we currently only provide 'modern' units.

We have decided to offer 'Henry VIII: Authority, Nation and Religion, 1509-40' for Unit Two, and would like to introduce 'Protest, Crisis and Rebellion in England, 1536-88' for Unit Three. There is a four year overlap with unit two, so just wanted to clarify that these two unit options could run alongside one another, and there are no restrictions that I may not have come across? The coursework would be the 'Golden Age of Spain', and unit 1 is option b so there are no clashes there.

Thanks

Re: Raw score converted to UMS GCSE Bus studies CA

Anonymous — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Please can I have a copy of that table?

marsha@audenshaw.tameside.sch.uk

Many thanks

Amanda Marsh

Controlled Assessment Unit 2 2012-2013

Anonymous — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Just wondering when this is available as we normally start this with Year 10 after they have completed the Unit 1 exam.

Many thanks

Re: Raw CAT to UMS conversion

Anonymous — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Dear Mr Foggo,

Just as with written units, grade boundaries for the Controlled Assessments cannot be supplied in advance of the awarding process. Our moderation team is only now beginning to look at work coming in from centres and starting the moderation process. Only once this is complete will we be in a position to know how well candidates have responded to the demands of the controlled assessments; and therefore to place appropriate grade boundaries.

As you say, once this process has been finalised and grade boundaries set for the controlled assessment activities for Core Science, we would expect these grade boundaries to remain fairly constant over the following sessions. Also, I would expect there to be a fairly close tie-in between the grade boundaries for the Core activities (out of 48) and the Additional activities (out of 50).

For us to supply grade boundaries at this stage would be irresponsible, as they would simply be guesses and not based on the evidence of candidate performance. Of course, if you wanted to make your own guess, then basing the new CAT grade boundaries on the old IAA ones would be a first approximation (although may not be reflected in the final award, once the work has been marked).

Yours,

Damian

Science team

Re: 3 Y11 Exams with same content levels as modular?

Anonymous — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

I just wanted to post that as a department we never moved away from the linear style exams in year 11 and for the last three years all our students sit all three exams in June in year 11. Despite the option available to us we decided not to enter the year 10's in for any exam or controlled assessment but found the three separate exams helpful in focusing the students on the different skills required. Our results have continued to improve rather than drop as a result.

We shall continue to teach Medicine and Treatment alongside The Transformation of Surgery (with a different teacher) to Year 10's until around March. This is then followed by the Vietnam Controlled Assessment teaching and sitting of the exam. In year 11 we teach the Germany unit 2 followed by intense revision until their three exams in June.

I hope this post gives some other teachers hope that it is possible for the students to cope with this style of teaching and still succeed.

AS Unit 2 switching topics - suggestions please!

Anonymous — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Re: Edexcel Certificate in History will count towards EBacc

Anonymous — Sun, 13 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Hello

It isn't really a name change. International GCSE's are still available for overseas schools and UK independent schools. The Certificate is the UK state school version of the International GCSE and our Certificate in History will count towards league tables and the EBacc. We have changed our existing International GCSE in History to bring it into line with the new Certificate in History so from Sep 2012 there will be absolutely no difference except for the name of the qualification students achieve.

If you are at an independent school then you can offer the Edexel International GCSE in History specification which will be identical to the new Certificate from Sep 2012. Independent schools don't need to worry about funding/league tables/Ebacc performance measure and therefore can continue to offer the International GCSE. If you are at a UK state school you need to offer the Certificate in History in order to get funding/league table points/EBacc performance measure. Any independent schools who want to be included in the EBacc performance measure will need to do the Certificate, but the EBacc is only a performance measure and not a qualification in its own right.

Hope that makes sense.

Best Regards

Mark

e-Update for GCSE Business Studies, May 2012

Anonymous — Thu, 10 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

In this GCSE Business Studies e-Update I've included information on:

Controlled Assessment
Revision
Networking opportunity - Norwich
Results Plus training
The future of training
New contact details

The update was sent on May 10th, 2012

Cassette inserts sheet

Anonymous — Thu, 10 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

This sheet may be printed out and photocopied to facilitate the labelling up of student recordings at those centres where cassettes have been used.

Looking for cassette inserts to use when submitting candidate oral recordings?

Anonymous — Thu, 10 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Although the number of centres using cassettes is considerably small as more and more centres have moved to digital recording, the cassette inserts are still available. Please click on the inserts link to access these.

Last minute queries about forthcoming exams and administration?

Anonymous — Thu, 10 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

We are receiving a high volume of telephone and email queries about the forthcoming examinations at the moment and thought that it would be useful to share some of the most common queries and responses with you. In addition to the May FAQs document, you should also refer to the GCSE Administrative Support Guides, GCE Oral Administrative Support Guides where appropriate.

To save your time, the FAQs have been grouped under GCE, GCSE and International GCSE headings.

FAQs relating to GCSE, GCE and International GCSEs

Anonymous — Thu, 10 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

List of examination-related queries that have been received recently FYI. To save time, they have been grouped under GCSE, GCE, International GCSE and legacy GCSE headings and include an initial section with generic queries that relate to GCSE, GCE and International GCSE.

Unit 5 5BS05 Revision Checklist Topic 3

Anonymous — Wed, 09 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

This resource was provided by Polly Glegg of Pimlico Academy.

Unit 2 5BS02 How to submit marks using Edexcel Online

Anonymous — Wed, 09 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Use this guide to help you meet the May 15th deadline!

Unit 4 5BS04 Summer 2010 Question Paper

Anonymous — Wed, 09 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Unit 4 5BS04 Summer 2010 Examiners' Report

Anonymous — Wed, 09 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Unit 4 5BS04 Summer 2010 Mark Scheme

Anonymous — Wed, 09 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT