Circular

S/IF/91/06 October 2006

TO: The Principals of Post-primary Schools and Director of Institutes of Further and Higher Education

FOR CIRCULATION TO: The Head of the Technology Department or the teacher(s) of GCSE Construction

GCSE Construction Examinations, January and summer 2007
Coursework Units 1 and 3

Dear Colleague,

The enhanced assessment criteria for Units 1 and 3 that were issued to all centres in circular S/IF/89/05 (November 2005) were used successfully in the moderation of candidates' work submitted for the 2006 Award. Following this moderation procedure, the moderation team, in consultation with the Chair of Examiners and the Chief Examiner, have made some minor amendments to these criteria.

The amended criteria are set out below.

Assessment Criteria for Unit 1: Employment in the Construction Industry

Research Folder (5 marks)

The areas to be researched are:

• Main activities of the construction industry;
• Professional Occupations within the construction industry;
• Craft Occupations within the construction industry.

Marking Grid for Research Folder

Mark Band 1	Mark Band 2	Mark Band 3
Downloaded/photocopied/cut and pasted information on two areas	Downloaded/photocopied/cut and pasted information on three areas with evidence of individual conclusions	Downloaded/photocopied/cut and pasted information on three areas with individual commentary/conclusions, questionnaire/interview, photographs or other graphics
0 - 1	2 - 3	4-5

Craft Project Folder (5 marks)

Candidates should produce evidence that they have considered the following topics:

• Production stages (flow diagram etc.)
• Working drawing
• Exploded view
• Cost of project
• Safety issues
• Materials (cutting list)
• Selection of hand tools

The evidence may be written notes, sketches or photographs.

Mark Band 1	Mark Band 2	Mark Band 3
Evidence of consideration of two of the listed topics	Evidence of consideration of three or four of the listed topics	Evidence of consideration of five or more of the listed topics
0 - 1	2 - 3	4-5

Craft Project Outcome (25 marks)

The craft project outcome will be assessed on the following aspects:

1. Accuracy of assembly
2. Range of joints/processes
3. Quality of finish appropriate to craft project
4. Fit for purpose

Marking Grid for Craft Project Outcome

a)	Mark Band 1	Mark Band 2	Mark Band 3
	Unstable, poorly assembled	Not square, but assembly adequate in most respects	Assembly excellent in all details
	0 - 3	4 - 6	7 - 8
b)	2 joints/processes involved	3 joints/processes involved	4 or more joints/processes involved
	0 - 3	4 - 6	7 - 8
c)	Poorly sanded, some pencil lines still evident, poorly varnished etc.	Suitable finish applied, however not to a high standard. Some good preparation has taken place.	Excellent finish appropriate to material used. Some excellent preparation has taken place.
	0 - 3	4 - 6	7 - 8
d)	Not “fit for purpose”		“Fit for purpose”
	0		1

Assessment Criteria for Unit 3: Computer Aided Design

The portfolio produced by the candidates will include:

1. Orthographic and/or isometric drawings of bricks, doors, windows or craft project;
2. Annotated drawings showing details such as strip foundation, window sill, lintel, door/window jamb;
3. Annotated drawings showing details such as floor plan, elevation, section.

a)	Mark Band 1	Mark Band 2	Mark Band 3
	Very little evidence of drafting ability; no or few borders, name blocks, titles, measurements etc shown.	Evidence of a reasonable standard of drafting ability; some borders, name blocks, titles, measurements etc shown.	Evidence of a high standard of drafting ability; most or all borders, name blocks, titles, measurements etc shown with excellent layout.
	0 - 3	2- 3	4 - 5
b)	Limited number of drawings with some scaling.	Good range of drawings with scaling and some annotation; some basic sectional drawings included.	Comprehensive range of drawings with dimensions, scaling and annotation. High quality sectional drawings included.
	0 - 5	6 - 10	11 – 15
c)	Limited number of drawings with some scaling.	Good range of drawings with scaling and some annotation; some basic sectional drawings included.	Comprehensive range of drawings with dimensions, scaling and annotation. High quality sectional drawings included.
	0 - 6	7 - 14	15 - 20

 

If you have any queries about the content of this circular please contact Terry Stewart at CCEA on (028) 9026 1443 E mail: tstewart@ccea.org.uk