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Assessment

Assessment for each of the courses is flexible. It has also been designed to ensure that the assessment in each course is fit for purpose – it suits the aims of the course, and the students. For full details of assessment contact OCR (see Partners), but here’s the outline:

GCSE Science and GCSE Additional Science

  • Three question papers of short, objective-style questions, each testing three modules. These papers may be sat in either January or June, and are set and marked by OCR. (Total marks = 50%)
  • An ‘Ideas in Context’ paper, taken at the end of the course, set and marked by OCR. This is not a synoptic paper, and is based on pre-release material. (Total marks = 16.7%)
  • Internal assessment, developed to be part of normal teaching and learning, teacher-marked and moderated by OCR. (Total marks = 33.3%)

    For GCSE Science there is a Case Study (20%), where students look closely at a topical science-based issue. Students can report their findings in a variety of ways, for example, written report, PowerPoint presentation, public information leaflet, script for a radio interview etc. This varied approach is both very motivating for students, and well-suited to fit into your normal teaching. Practical work is an important aspect of the course, and in the second element of internal assessment, Data Analysis (13.3%), students interpretation and evaluation skills are recorded. This activity is not assessing students planning or collection of the data, and again should be part of normal teaching and learning – so pooled data from a normal class practical is quite suitable.

    For GCSE Additional Science there is a Practical Investigation – not the current Sc1! There is no prediction hoop for students to jump through. This opens up the possibility for more open-ended investigations should you wish to do them. Pilot teachers report that this is easier to mark than the current Sc1 investigation.

 

GCSE Additional Applied Science

  • Three question papers of short, objective-style questions, each testing one module. These papers may be sat in either January or June, and are set and marked by OCR. (Total marks = 50%)
  • Internal assessment has been reduced in extent in the light of feedback from Pilot schools, and is now streamlined to a Work-related portfolio comprising six standard procedures (one from each module. Total marks 12%), a suitability test (21%), and a work-related report (17%).

 

GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry, GCSE Physics

  • Two question papers, each assessing three modules. (Total marks = 33.3%)
  • An ‘Ideas in Context’ paper, taken at the end of the course, including pre-release material. (Total marks = 33.3%)
  • Either a Case Study and Data Analysis (as GCSE Science) or a Practical Investigation (as GCSE Additional Science). (Total marks = 33.3%)

 

Entry Level

This is assessed by internal module tests, and skills assessment linked to GCSE Science to make possible for transition to GCSE possible.