GCE Frequently Asked Questions

Assessment units AS 1, AS 2 and A2 1 will be available in both the January and Summer series of exams. Assessment unit A2 2 will be available in the Summer series only.

This specification is available for first teaching from September 2008. The first AS examination will take place in 2009 and the first A2 examination will take place in 2010.

AS Level qualifications will be awarded on a five-grade scale: A – E. A Level qualifications will be awarded on a six-grade scale: A* – E.

To be awarded an A*, students will need to achieve a Grade A in the full A Level qualification and an A* aggregate score in the A2 units. Students who fail to reach the minimum standard for a Grade E will be recorded as U (unclassified) and will not receive a certificate.

Students must write a summary statement (of no more than 100 words) after they have completed the data collection.

The summary statement should include details of:

• the title of the fieldwork report
• the location of the study; and
• a summary of the study aims.

It must be accompanied by a computer-generated table that contains primary data. It must be included on the cover sheet we provide.

Students must bring their summary report and the table of data to the AS 1 examination and this must be attached to the examination script at the end of the examination. Neither the summary nor the table will be assessed

Students will presented with a resource booklet containing maps, statistics, reports and/or diagrams. Students must identify the issue and describe the background to it.

Students will be asked to consider alternative choices, to examine conflicting values that may be apparent in the case study and to make and justify recommendations.

This specification can provide assessment evidence for nationally-specified Key Skills Level 3 in:

• Application of Number;
• Communication;
• Information and Communication Technology;
• Improving Own Learning Performance;
• Working with Others; and
• Problem Solving.